A Kiss in the Dreamhouse

Infobox Album |
Name = A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
Type = Album
Artist = Siouxsie & the Banshees


Released = 5 November 1982
Recorded = 1982
Genre = Post-punk New Wave
Length = 37:45
Label = Geffen/Warner Bros. (USA) Polydor (UK)
Producer = Siouxsie and the Banshees
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:mefibkh96ak9 link]
Last album = "" (1981)
This album = "A Kiss in the Dreamhouse" (1982)
Next album = "Nocturne" (1983)

"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. The album belongs to what critics and fans refer to as the Banshees' "experimental" phase, as it contains chimes, strings, synthesizers, 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.

The album is also notable for its Gustav Klimt-inspired sleeve artwork.

The UK music press were unanimous in their praise for the album on its release. Richard Cook in the "NME" finished his review by this sentence: "I promise. This music will take your breath away." [http://thebansheesandothercreatures.co.uk/akissinthedreamhousereviews.htm NME review]

Steve Sutherland in the "Melody Maker" also welcomed the new musical direction: "A Kiss In The Dreamhouse" finally takes their uniqueness for granted and, in shaking off the shackles of paranoid pride, throws open the doors to further, far more rewarding exotic experiences." [http://thebansheesandothercreatures.co.uk/akissinthedreamhousereviews.htm Melody Maker review]

Several bands covered and sampled songs from this album :
*LCD Soundsystem covered "Slowdive" for the b-side of their single Disco Infiltrator : the cover is also available for a compilation in 2006. [ [http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/music/comments.php?id=8732_0_28_20_C53 LCD Soundsystem covered Slowdive on this CD] ]

*The Beta Band sampled "Painted Bird" on their track "Liquid Bird" from the "Heroes to Zeros" album. [ [http://www.betaband.com/press/interviews.phpEarlash April 2004 interview By Scott Lapatine] ]

Track listing

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

# "Cascade"
# "Green Fingers"
# "Obsession"
# "She's a Carnival"
# "Circle"
# "Melt!"
# "Painted Bird"
# "Cocoon"
# "Slowdive"

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"

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

Miscellanea

*The artwork for both the album and singles was based on Gustav Klimt.

Production

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

References