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"Here Comes That Day" paints a portrait of completely broken promises, "always smiling never wear a frown" she coos "have the courage to say what you mean", "here comes the rain on your parade, there's a price to pay for a life of insincerity". She holds the key to a vitriolically smoldering contemptuous world "and like a fool you thought life could be cheated of life's realities". Sioux is spitting venom, she hasn't been so coldly cruel in many a moon. It is as though this album is a watershed moment for her. I cannot fault the music, I cannot question her sincerity. "Loveless" is segmented, brutally unflinching as the words tumble out, a wicked hook is inserted via a xylophone. Who else would dare. "I know what's good for me, I know what's bad for me" our heroine sweetly denotes. "What am I gonna do now that I know the truth?" This line is one we all have muttered, cursed or screamed at one point or another in our lives. Following this delicious exercise in bette noire, we are treated to the almost lounge confection "If It Doesn't Kill You". Ye gods, I had forgotten how precise Siouxsie could at be emoting pain beyond words. This is the stiff upper lip for the lovelorn. Gliding glacially on minimal backing arrangements, the effectiveness of this song rivals the torments both Lamb and Nick Cave have seared onto their records. The exception being that all of this album is anchored by one of the most original voices working in the world today. The variance of "Mantaray" will not go down well with those who have pre-conceived notions about Ms. Sioux but it will most assuredly garner her a more diverse following. Incredible work. PETER MARKS |
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