After releasing Join Hands in 1979, it’s safe to say Siouxsie and the Banshees were in disarray. Both guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris left the band on the day the album was released. Siouxsie and Steven Severin would then regroup and bring in new drummer Budgie who became a mainstay along with guitarist John McGeoch for their first release of the 80s, Kaleidoscope.
The first single was a sarcastic take on the drama the band had endured. “Happy House” is one of their best tracks – gloomy with pop sensibilities that went into the UK top 20. Here, Siouxsie deadpans that that happy house is “such fun” and that “it never rains”. A bass riff played through electronics powers “Tenant” that dispenses any of tongue in cheek joy that precedes it, it’s the happy house at night when the squatters move in. Downbeat with glitchy beats, “Lunar Camel” could have come out in the last 10 years and been hailed as innovative.
“Hybrid” puts the drumbeat front and centre, with a ringing guitar and wailing horn. While there is a lot going on musically, the song is always locked down and the quieter moments are quite lovely. Second single “Christine” is another highlight. Lyrics by Severin, the song chronicles the split personality of Christine Sizemore over an acoustic guitar strum and chugging bassline. It’s just one of many tracks that create an atmosphere all their own on a highly influential album. Kaleidoscope would see Siouxsie and the Banshees continue to move well past their punk origins into helping form the underground music world of the 1980s.
9/10
The Light Appears 