Bells For Augustine Lesage - Directing Hand

Advantages: A Few Good Songs, Contains The Best Single Of Their Career
Disadvantages: Very Dark, Scary, Some Poor Songs

...In 1978 Siouxsie and the Banshees released their debut Album "The Scream" to the unsuspecting World. This blast of Punk inspired Rock classics was both commercially and critically a huge success. Today, "The Scream" is considered by many to be amongst the greatest Albums of all time. Such a strong debut Album would always be difficult to follow. It is even harder to follow when the Band members are in turmoil with one another, quibbling over which musical direction they should take. The results of these frictions are sadly clearly evident in the Band's second Album "Join Hands" which was released in 1979. "Join Hands" is widely considered to be Siouxsie and the Banshees worst Album. However, before you dismiss it you must bear in mind that this comparison is on the on the back of such a strong debut and it is also a retrospective... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good variety, catchy tunes
Disadvantages: First-timers may be put off by the end

...I bought the album a couple of weeks after it came out, because I am a big fan of the band, and knew that I'd enjoy it. My first impression was a good one: "I fought in a War" stuck in my head for days! With 11 songs on the album, there's quite a lot of material for Belle and Sebastian, and most of the songs are good quality. Isobel and the others have a more active singing role, and there is a great variety in the songs. Even so, the album doesn't make you listen to it, and some non-fans find it a little tedious towards the end. Good for fans, then, but i you're a first-timer for Belle, better leave it until you've got loadsa cash to splash - buy "If You're Feeling Sinister" instead!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: one of their best albums
Disadvantages: not as good as dear catastrophe waitress

...this is the first belle and sebastian album i bought. it is a good introduction to the band, the songs are probably more aimed at the mainstream market after they won their brit award. all of the songs are good, my personal favourites are 'family tree' and 'there's too much love'. some albums have a couple of poor tracks but i can honestly say that this is not such an album. you also get a little short story on the back of the cd booklet, these occur in most b&s albums, they come to be something you look forward to. after buying this i suggest you buy all the other albums. you need belle and sebastian in your life. trust me on this one. belle and sebastian are from glasgow. their first album was tigermilk, it was recorded for a college project. only 1000 copies of their first edition which is on vinyl, and is highly sought... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful