A Kiss in the Dreamhouse

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
Studio album by Siouxsie & the Banshees
Released	5 November 1982
Recorded	1982
Genre	Post-Punk
Length	37:45
Label	Polydor (UK & Europe) Geffen/Warner Bros. (USA)
Producer	Siouxsie & the Banshees
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Siouxsie & the Banshees chronology
Juju (1981) A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982) Hyæna (1984)
Singles from A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
""Slowdive"" Released: 4 October 1982 ""Melt!"" Released: 26 November 1982

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is the fifth studio album released by Siouxsie & the Banshees and was issued by Polydor Records in the UK in 1982 : it was reissued remastered and expanded in 2009.

The UK music press was unanimous in their praise for the album on its release.

Richard Cook in the NME began by this comment : "‘A Kiss In The Dreamhouse’ is a feat of imagination scarcely ever recorded. It’s breathtaking". "Somehow, a bold assurance of intention has met with a hunger for experimenting with sound to expand an already formidable group of songs into pure, open-minded ambiguity. The flesh of the song will balloon out or contort into unimaginable patterns; indecipherable echoes volley between the walls of the recording; glassy, splintered tones pierce the luxuriant sheen of the mix. Repeated listens trick the sense of balance; tremendous risks are taken." Cook then finished his review by this sentence: "I promise. This music will take your breath away." ^[1]

Steve Sutherland in the Melody Maker also welcomed the new musical direction: "The Banshees achieve an awesome, effective new pop without so much as a theory or qualm. "Dreamhouse" is an intoxicating achievement."^[2]

In 2007, Mojo Magazine rated it as their favourite record of year 1982.^[3]

Several bands covered and sampled songs from this album : LCD Soundsystem made a cover of "Slowdive" for the b-side of their single Disco Infiltrator: their version is also available for a compilation in 2006.^[4] and The Beta Band sampled "Painted Bird" on their track "Liquid Bird" from the Heroes to Zeros album. ^[5]

Music and history

The album belongs to what critics and fans refer to as the Banshees' experimental phase,^[6] as it contains chimes, strings, recorders, loops and many vocal overdubs. The album was written, produced, and arranged by the band. Both a critical and commercial success, it peaked on the UK albums chart at number eleven. The Banshees claimed it to be their personal best, until the release of Peepshow in 1988.^[7]

Guitarist John McGeoch ceased to be a member of the band shortly after the release of the album.

Track listing

All tracks by Sioux, McGeoch, Severin, and Budgie.

Original release

1. "Cascade"
2. "Green Fingers"
3. "Obsession"
4. "She's a Carnival"
5. "Circle"
6. "Melt!"
7. "Painted Bird"
8. "Cocoon"
9. "Slowdive"

2009 remastered reissue bonus tracks

10. "Fireworks" (12” Version)
11. "Slowdive" (12” Version)
12. "Painted Bird" (Workhouse Demo)
13. "Cascade" (Workhouse Demo)

Personnel

• Siouxsie & the Banshees - producers
• Siouxsie Sioux - Voices, Bells on "Obsession"
• Steven Severin - Bass Guitar, 6-String Bass on "Slowdive"; Organ on "Painted Bird"
• John McGeoch - Guitar, keyboards on "Cocoon," "Circle," "Cascade"; Recorder on "Green Fingers"
• Budgie - Drums, Percussion, Harmonica on "Slowdive"

plus :

• Caroline Lavelle - Cello on "Obsession"
• Anne Stephenson - Violin on "Obsession" and "Slowdive"
• Virginia Hewes - Violin on "Obsession" and "Slowdive"

Production

• Recorded at Playground and Abbey Road Studios
• Engineer: Mike Hedges
• Design: Rocking Russian
• Photography and set: Michael Kostiff

Danaë by Gustav Klimt, painted 1907.

The artwork was based on Gustav Klimt's work

References