Deluxe remastered edition of Siouxsie And The Banshee’s career-defining sophomore album. Join Hands was released just 10 months after The Banshees’ debut album The Scream, and found the band slipping into a darker, more brooding sound that would become their calling card, evident from note one of “Poppy Day” which opens the album with the ominous sound of tolling bells before Siouxsie Sioux’s ghastly reverse-reverbed vocals creep in and steal you away into the night. The band were deeply affected by news reports of the horrific situation in war-torn Iran, as well as a tumultuous political situation at home in England. Siouxsie’s lyrics reflect an interest the band had taken in World War I in addition to the macabre situation around them. Features stunning guitar work (and sax!) from founding guitarist John McKay. “Playground Twist” was the only single released from the album and is as good a starting point as any, but other highlights include “Regal Zone,” “Premature Burial” and “The Lords Prayer.” This official reissue has been remastered from the original quarter-inch tapes and cut at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios, and is pressed on 180g vinyl housed in gatefold jacket with printed inner sleeve.

• 180g vinyl pressing
• remastered from the original 1/4" master tapes
• cut at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios
• gatefold sleeve
• printed inner sleeve
• limited edition
• music label: Polydor 2018

reviewed by charlotte sumtimes 08/2018