Siouxsie - Mantaray
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Free Music Notes for Mantaray
Free Music Review: Something to celebrate
Hit: 4 Stars
Over the years Siouxsie has spoken a number of wise words that have acted as a guiding light, a beacon through my perilous journey through life. Once she said that anyone who doesn't like cats, she doesn't like them. Not only does this seem a very sound principle that has yet to let me down, it is rather the way I feel about Siouxsie herself. So having declared an interest, it may come as little surprise to learn that I like this album, her first solo recording since her career began over thirty years ago. It also marks, I believe, the first time her name has appeared on a composer credit on its own, as it does on One Mile Below.
Of course there are other musicians on the record but unlike the democracy involved with the Creatures and Siouxsie and the Banshees, here their purpose is to support and realize Siouxsie's vision. To this end producers Steve Evans and Charlie Jones at Bath's Riverside Studios have supplied guitars, keyboards, programming, bass guitar and upright bass, anchored throughout by drummer extraordinaire Clive Deamer. All three had previously served time with Robert Plant, and Steve Jones co-produced his recent Mighty Rearranger album. Siouxsie has chosen to set out her stall by showcasing a variety of styles, mostly close to areas she has explored in the past but in fresher settings that highlight her irrepressible vocal gymnastic talents to excellent effect and show her as always moving forward.
On If It Doesn't Kill You she evokes the mood of a Bond movie, while Here Comes That Day is dramatically large in Big Spender Bassey-esque fashion. Several tracks have a chorus of other Siouxsies in the background. Other musicians have been used sparingly; a dulcimer here, some notable Egyptian percussion there, the occasional use of strings and a one man horn section in the form of Terry Edwards on the single Here Comes That Day and on Drone Zone.
Judging from the sound of it, Siouxsie clearly enjoyed the sessions, recorded over time in occasional short bursts, rather like her beloved B-sides sessions, each session involving a commute from her home in France. Sometimes the chemistry that can only come from a unit that regularly plays and performs together is not quite there, though as she has subsequently embarked on a tour with her new musical mates, this minor issue should be addressed on future releases. The album is lean, clocking in at just over 40 minutes, free of filler and sounding better with every play. It isn't the Banshees, it isn't the Creatures, but it is Siouxsie, and to be celebrated.
Free Music Review: Do not like as much as her old material
Hit: 3 Stars
have read so many great reviews of this cd, but I was under whelmed. I always felt her use of percussion always added a cool touch to her vocals. With the new cd (preordered-I was so excited) it seems the old percussion and effects are gone and guitars have taken over. I am not sure whom to recommend this cd to. I feel if you are a fan of Siouxsies over the years, you should give it a listen,. Perhaps you will like it, but it was not my cuppa tea..... Free Music Review: promising
Hit: 3 Stars
MANTARAY has almost all the elements in place for excellence. The sound is great. The vocals aren't lost in the mix and Siouxsie's voice isn't multi-tracked into a blur. She clearly has something to say and her upfront vocals fit that intent. The variations in style and mood still manage to gel as a whole. INTO A SWAN is all glorious, glitzy big-beat brashness. An incredible single. It succeeds where I feel a good chunk of the album falls short, Siouxsie's vocals are obscured a bit and this takes excessive attention away from the lyrics. I've read that she wanted to be more straightforward in her approach to lyrics here, but, there are times when an otherwise-excellent track is marred by clunky lyrics in need of another draft, a bit of polish. Like the mixed metaphor of "house of cards with its feet of clay" in HERE COMES THAT DAY and several other places where she repeats the same word in one line. Picky, perhaps, but, had she not shown a talent in the past for exploring a thesaurus, I'd let it go and just accept the album as it is. Another quibble concerns a common pitfall- repeating a chorus or refrain way too many times without any variation, modulation or inflection. These words might be life-affirming mantras for Siouxsie and very personal, repeating them may empower her, but, as a listener, it reaches a point where I say, "I HEARD you already" and I do NOT want to feel that way about Siouxsie! How about another verse? Or just some wordless vocalizing? That said, though, the album really has its moments. Despite the repetition in the lyrics for THEY FOLLOW YOU, the music itself is astounding. Very Eno-era Bowie, but also very Siouxsie. I love that song because it contains SURPRISES. sounds that weren't there right from the opening. (that incredible keyboard, the blistering guitars, Siouxsie's glorious chorus of chants)DRONE ZONE is also a fun surprise, with Siouxsie holding back with the vocals and speak-singing. Overall, it's a very solid solo debut. I think Siouxsie's assuredness will lead her and listeners to even BETTER creations in the future. Forward up, Siouxsie!Free Music Review: One of the best albums of 2007
Hit: 5 Stars
I absolutely love Siouxsie from Siouxsie and the Banshees. After all these years Siouxsie finally puts out her first solo album MANTARAY. After two or three decades in the music business, Siouxsie still sounds as amazing as she first did back in the seventies. MANTARAY is both a foray into the past, present and future. There were moments on the cd when I felt like I was listening to THE SCREAM, JUJU and TINDERBOX. The swirling guitar riffs, uneven orchestral melodies, and Siouxsie's jagged vocals that often teeters on the edge of wailing (in a good way) on tracks like "Into a Swan", "About to Happen", and "Loveless" definitely screams out Siouxsie's band. What really took me surprise is the subtle jazz influences like on the ballad "If it Doesn't Kill You". There is not one single song on the cd I did not like. I find myself drawn to the cd like a moth to the flame. Not only does Siouxsie still looks amazing but she also sounds amazing as ever. After being disappointed by recent solo releases by Annie Lennox and Ann Wilson, Siouxsie puts out a killer solo album truly worth my hard earned money.Free Music Review: Excellence in her solo venture!
Hit: 5 Stars
For those who are fans of Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Creatures, Ms. Sioux excells in giving the fans a top notch solo venture of what it is to be Siouxsie. In my opinion "If it Doesn't Kill You" is one of the better songs on the album. Slow and bluesey it really compliments her voice. There are other hard driving tracks as we have come to love from her and "Drone Zone" is a really fun song that almost exhibits a silly side of our favorite Banshee. Love ya Siouxsie! Like a fine wine you inprove with age!