Siouxsie and the Banshees “Once Upon a Time/The Singles” 1981. Yesterday, May 27th, was Siouxsie Sioux’s birthday (b. Susan Janet Ballion 1957) and I missed it so I’m making up for it now with a listen of this singles comp album of Banshees’ material from ‘78-’81. Eight of the tracks made the UK charts during those years.

Chilly yet emotionally earnest vocals over lush and experimental instrumentation; dark and nightmarish lyrics (from “Playground Twist” –

Hanging…Hanging from your climbing frames;  Swinging in the gallows; Laughing with your buddies;
But you can drown when you’re shallow; You can drown…).

“Hong Kong Garden” and “Spellbound” appear, probably two of the best known singles from this period of the Banshees’ releases. On those and the rest of the album’s tracks, Siouxsie excels at painting an atmosphere of life in a brooding black & white portrait, spinning in wildly dancing circles.