Siouxsie And The Banshees Through The Looking Glass Album

Okay, so picture this: me, age 15, crammed into my mate Sarah's bedroom. The walls are plastered with magazine cutouts of Robert Smith (obviously) and Bauhaus. We're attempting to recreate Siouxsie Sioux's eyeliner look from… well, some music video. Let's just say it involved a lot of black kohl and even more smudging. Failed miserably, by the way. But, amidst the smoky eye chaos, Sarah pops on a cassette. It's Siouxsie and the Banshees. Not your usual "Hong Kong Garden" or "Happy House" (which, let's be honest, we’d already worn out). This was… different. This was Through the Looking Glass.

Suddenly, everything felt… elevated. Refined, even. And I don't mean in a 'stick your pinky out while drinking tea' kind of way. More like... like Siouxsie and the Banshees had decided to throw a sophisticated, slightly deranged cocktail party, and everyone was invited (provided they wore something impeccably stylish and didn't spill anything on the Persian rug, naturally).

Through the Looking Glass, released in 1987, isn't your typical Banshees album. It's a covers album. Gasp! I know, I know. The idea of a punk/post-punk icon covering other people's songs might initially sound like artistic sacrilege. But trust me, Siouxsie and the Banshees didn’t just cover these songs; they reinvented them.

Think of it like this: they took these classic tracks, stripped them down, twisted them around, and then reconstructed them with their signature Banshees magic. And by magic, I mean Siouxsie's distinctive vocals, John McGeoch’s (or John Valentine Carruthers' - depending on the track) incredible guitar work, and the overall dark, atmospheric sound that defined the band. It's not karaoke, people. It's art.

What’s truly genius about Through the Looking Glass is the song selection. We're talking some seriously eclectic choices. Iggy Pop's "The Passenger" is given a haunting, almost melancholic makeover. The Doors' "Hello, I Love You" becomes a swirling, psychedelic trip. And then there's Kraftwerk's "Hall of Mirrors," which, let's face it, sounds like it was born to be covered by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Seriously, if you haven’t heard their version, drop everything and listen to it now. You won’t regret it. I promise.

And don't even get me started on their version of "This Wheel's On Fire" (originally by Bob Dylan and The Band). It's simply stunning. Absolutely haunting. It feels like a fever dream, all swirling textures and Siouxsie's vocals, which are just… chef's kiss. It transforms a folk song into something dark, mysterious, and utterly captivating. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to wander around a misty moor in a velvet cloak. You know, normal Tuesday night stuff.

But it's not just the song selection; it's the interpretation. Siouxsie's voice, in particular, is just mesmerizing. She doesn't just sing the songs; she embodies them. She takes these familiar melodies and injects them with her own unique brand of drama, emotion, and a healthy dose of the surreal. She's a chameleon, a storyteller, a queen of dark atmospheres. And on Through the Looking Glass, she's at the peak of her powers.

Some critics at the time weren't entirely convinced. They argued that covering songs was lazy, unoriginal, or even (gasp!) commercial. But I think they missed the point entirely. Through the Looking Glass isn't just a covers album; it's a statement. It's a testament to Siouxsie and the Banshees' ability to take anything and make it their own. It's a demonstration of their musical versatility, their artistic vision, and their willingness to push boundaries. Which, let's be honest, is what they always did anyway.

So, next time you're feeling adventurous, or just want to hear something that's both familiar and completely unexpected, give Through the Looking Glass a spin. You might just find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of dark beauty and sonic exploration. And who knows? You might even be inspired to try your hand at some avant-garde eyeliner. Just, you know, maybe start with a tutorial this time.

P.S. If you do attempt the eyeliner, send me a pic. I'd love to see how it turns out. (Seriously!)