"A Kiss In The Dreamhouse" is a very good representation of Siouxsie and the Banshees circa 1982. Going out on a limb with concept and fantasy, this album provides a bazaar of sounds and ideas via Ice Queen Siouxsie. Tracks like Green Fingers and Cascade have the typical SATB punch, combined beautifully with Siouxsie's incredible voice. Things get mellow and sordid with Obsession and Cocoon, as Siouxsie depicts bizarre and unusual sexual quirks. The singles from the album, Melt! and Slowdive have the typical SATB sound, so no surprises there.All in all: If you only have a few SATB albums, you're missing a very important one! If you collect Siouxsie as much as I do, shame on you if you don't own this album!

October 4th, 2205 marked the re-release of Siouxsie and the Banshees' release of their debut album, The Scream. Over the next year, their entire catalog will be re-released, each containing a second bonus CD with material that didn't make it onto the album, plus other delicious goodies. Don't look for accompanying b-sides, as "Downside Up" delivered every b-side they produced. The bonus material contained on the extra CD is as follows:

# Make Up To Break Up (Riverside Session)
# Love In A Void (Peel Session)
# Mirage (Peel Session)
# Metal Postcard (Peel Session)
# Suburban Relapse (Peel Session)
# Hong Kong Garden (Peel Session)
# Overground (Peel Session)
# Carcass (Peel Session)
# Helter Skelter (Peel Session)
# Metal Postcard (Pathway Session)
# Suburban Relapse' (Pathway Session)
# Staircase (Mystery) (Pathway Session)
# Mirage (Pathway Session)
# Nicotine Stain (Pathway Session)
# Hong Kong Garden (7" Single Version)
# Staircase (Mystery) (7" Single Version)

For those of you that are hardcore Siouxsie fans, you probably already own the Peel Sessions. The Pathway Sessions follow the same pattern as the Peel Sessions, but this doesn't mean they're not worth having.

A note on the packaging. "The Scream" comes in a double-gatefold format, inside a transparent/translucent slipcover. This may cause some wear and tear over time, so handle with care. The double-gatefold format presents additional artwork from the album, previously unseen, which is a dream for any Siouxsie fan. Liner notes are extensive, including several rare photos, and of course full lyrics (with the exception of "Helter Skelter", and still the last line from "Carcass" has been omitted, curiously). Upon first glance, the tracklisting on the back appears to be actually printed on the sleeve, but in reality it is simply printed on a loose sheet of onion-skin-like paper, which, unfortunately does not fit into the liner notes sleeve. My solution was to just place the tracklisting over the second disc and carefully close the package, letting the plastic slipcover hold everything in place.