A Kiss in the Dreamhouse

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is the fifth studio album released by Siouxsie and the Banshees and was issued by Polydor Records in the UK in 1982. It was reissued, remastered and expanded in 2009. Both a critical and commercial success, it peaked on the UK albums chart at number eleven. The Banshees claimed it to be their personal best, until the release of Peepshow in 1988.

Guitarist John McGeoch ceased to be a member of the band shortly after the release of the album.

Reception
The UK music press was unanimous in their praise for the album on its release.

Richard Cook in NME wrote:

'"'A Kiss in the Dreamhouse' is a feat of imagination scarcely ever recorded. It's breathtaking. Somehow, a bold assurance of intention has met with a hunger for experimenting with sound to expand an already formidable group of songs into pure, open-minded ambiguity. The flesh of the song will balloon out or contort into unimaginable patterns; indecipherable echoes volley between the walls of the recording; glassy, splintered tones pierce the luxuriant sheen of the mix. Repeated listens trick the sense of balance; tremendous risks are taken." Cook then finished his review by this sentence: "I promise. This music will take your breath away."'

Steve Sutherland in Melody Maker also welcomed the new musical direction:

"The Banshees achieve an awesome, effective new pop without so much as a theory or qualm. "Dreamhouse" is an intoxicating achievement."

In 2007, Mojo magazine rated it as the best album of year 1982.

Allmusic described the first single "Slowdive" as "a violin-colored dance beat number" with "a catchy melodic hook".

Music and history
The album belongs to what critics and fans refer to as the Banshees' experimental phase, as it contains chimes, strings, recorders, loops and many vocal overdubs. The album was written, produced, and arranged by the band.

Track listing

 * Original release


 * 2009 remastered reissue bonus tracks

10. "Fireworks" (12" version) – 4:32 11. "Slowdive" (12" version) – 5:49 12. "Painted Bird" (Workhouse demo) – 3:49 13. "Cascade" (Workhouse demo) – 4:32

Covers
Several bands covered and sampled songs from this album. LCD Soundsystem made a cover of "Slowdive" for the b-side of their single Disco Infiltrator: it was also included on their Introns compilation in 2006. The Beta Band sampled the Nocturne live version of "Painted Bird" on their track "Liquid Bird" from the Heroes to Zeros album.

Personnel

 * Siouxsie and the Banshees – producers
 * Siouxsie Sioux – voices, bells on "Obsession"
 * Steven Severin – bass guitar; 6-string bass on "Slowdive"; organ on "Painted Bird"
 * John McGeoch – guitar; keyboards on "Cocoon", "Circle", "Cascade"; recorder on "Green Fingers"
 * Budgie – drums, percussion, harmonica on "Slowdive"
 * Caroline Lavell – cello on "Obsession"
 * Anne Stephenson – violin on "Obsession" and "Slowdive"
 * Virginia Hewes – violin on "Obsession" and "Slowdive"

Production

 * Recorded at Playground and Abbey Road Studios
 * Engineer: Mike Hedges
 * Design: Rocking Russian
 * Photography and set: Michael Kostiff