The Creatures, Anima Animus (Instinct) 9+
Fans of Siouxsie Sioux, the original Ice Queen of punk, the Godmother of goth, were disappointed to learn that 1995's The Rapture was the last Banshees album. Given the spotty quality of her work for the previous ten years, one could be forgiven for thinking she had exhausted her creative energy. But let's not forget about her side project with her husband/musical partner-in-crime Budgie, The Creatures. They released two albums in 1983 and 1989, experimenting with ethnic and dance rhythms and vocal styles. After a long love-in in the south of France, Siouxsie and Budgie are back with a beautiful, bouncing baby album. The Creatures are no longer a side project. Anima Animus is the offspring of a completely committed band. It's Siouxsie's most cohesive vision since the Banshees'1982 I Kiss In The Dreamhouse. Gone are the days of the dour ice queen. In recent shows at Barcelona and Chicago, Siouxsie sparkled as a slyly energetic, sassy diva, in love with her music and her drummer, sharing her joy with everyone who cares to join the party. The audiences cheered as if every song were their favorite hit single. Indeed, "2nd Floor," "Disconnected" and "Turn It On" are a string of immensely catchy, clubby anthems with chugging, but-cranking organs and overloaded new wave synths. Budgie is a booming force of nature, like an Afro-Brazillian drum army. "I Was Me" is the loveliest song the Banshees never made. They even get medieval (not to mention super loud) on "Exterminating Angel" and "Another Planet."
