THE CREATURES HAI! ALBUM SIOUX, INSTINCT RELEASE: SEPTEMBER, 2003 REVIEW: JANUARY 26, 2004

Exploding from the primal result of a collaboration with one of Japan's premier Taiko drummers, Leonard Ito, The Creatures bless us with their fourth studio release, the viciously engaging "Hai!". This album carries on in the tradition of their debut "Feast" which was released back in 1983. Spontaneous with a vengeance and blistering with delirious arrangements, Siouxsie and Budgie hit the mark and pass with flying colours. The ingredients to this hellbent offering are quite simply her voice and a percussive backbone which is steely in its resilience, nuanced with the years of working together and re-born in the fires of a collaboration which was a long time in coming.
The rumbling opening of "Say Yes!" ushers us into the sparse and yet somehow lush, exotic climate which The Creatures call home. Esoteric to say the least, they have spent their time plotting this release and with songs like the wickedly ensnaring "Seven Tears" you are immersed. The single for this album "Godzilla" is a romping, thunderous ode to B-movie history in Japan and a sinewy, slinky anthem for those who are looking for something they cannot hope to find in popular music.
Most artists who are in their 40:s generally begin to slow down and cash out, but not these two. This album is alive, alive with imagination, ability and vitality. It crackles with energy and is taut with blistering strength. Who needs The Banshees when you have The Creatures to soothe your soul. It's great to see them working without the nefarious meddling of a label, why would they ever go back?

PETER MARKS