Yes, it's difficult to decide. Kaleidoscope has many good songs (Clockface, Lunar Camel, Happy House, Tenant). Even though A Kiss in the Dreamhouse isn't part of this poll, it has its standout tracks too (Cascade, Green Fingers, Melt, Slowdive). But I will most likely vote for Juju because almost all of its tracks are exceptional; even the two relatively weak tracks (Into The Light, Halloween) are not so bad. And, of course, Juju has Head Cut, one of my favorite songs. I probably don't have to remind the people here that Juju also has Spellbound and Nightshift.
(And, oh yeah: I'm new here. Just registered a few days ago after lurking for a while. Previously, I did try to register two separate times, some time back, but each time, the site was completely down! I guess you should probably get used to seeing my 'name' am.curious.sometimes on some of the boards. Is there some place on the boards where I should go to introduce myself? I looked around on the site but I couldn't find anything like that.)
― am.curious.sometimes, Friday, 30 August 2013 19:57 (ten years ago) link
juju
― latebloomer, Friday, 30 August 2013 20:11 (ten years ago) link
Never thought of Into the Light as weak, it's incredible
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Friday, 30 August 2013 23:21 (ten years ago) link
A matter of personal taste, which is OK. Personally, I think the song is a bit too 'light', ('light' for a Banshees song, that is), and kind of clashes with the rest of the album's 'darkness'. Maybe on another album, I'd feel differently. But, you like it; that's cool; no problem. And I'm not trying to be snarky or anything like that. I really do think that it's OK to have differences of opinion, especially where subjective stuff like musical taste is concerned. And I don't hate the song. Just doesn't work for me, especially placed among the rest of the album's intensity.
― am.curious.sometimes, Saturday, 31 August 2013 03:00 (ten years ago) link
That's how I hear it too.
― LeRooLeRoo, Saturday, 31 August 2013 03:50 (ten years ago) link
Yeah Into The Light is amazing, it would rival Melt as my favourite Banshees song.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 31 August 2013 08:42 (ten years ago) link
Both these albums are great but I voted Juju for those opening three songs, so classic.
― Gavin, Leeds, Saturday, 31 August 2013 10:55 (ten years ago) link
Regarding Into The Light, to each his (or her) own. It's cool. Voted Juju.
― am.curious.sometimes, Sunday, 1 September 2013 21:55 (ten years ago) link
Voted Juju because of Into The Light tbh, John McG at his best imo
― i'll be your mraz (NickB), Sunday, 1 September 2013 23:19 (ten years ago) link
Join Hands
― combination hair (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 1 September 2013 23:21 (ten years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Tuesday, 3 September 2013 00:01 (ten years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 00:01 (ten years ago) link
The thing about Juju is how coherent it all is, from the dazzling orientalist magic of side 1 to the utter frenzy of side 2. Kaleidoscope is a collection of amazing songs, but it does not have that sense of a journey.
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 21:34 (ten years ago) link
I always kind of dismissed Kaleidoscope as a pleasant but inessential transition album btw the punky Banshees and the gothier beast to follow - but hearing it this morning, I realized what a woderfully strange album this is. Pretty interesting that that is the album Siouxise chose to play front to back on her comeback this year.
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Thursday, 28 November 2013 16:29 (ten years ago) link
juju - can't beat night shift!
― Week of Wonders (Ross), Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:03 (six years ago) link
Oh man, I really should have included Dreamhouse in this...
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:20 (six years ago) link
I dig the drum machine experiments on Kaleidoscope, and McGeogh rules on "Paradise Place" and "Skin."
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 28 January 2023 14:05 (one year ago) link
It's Steve Jones playing guitar on both of those!
― Halfway there but for you, Saturday, 28 January 2023 14:20 (one year ago) link
Ha! Not at all what I expect from Ol' Sledgehammer.
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 28 January 2023 15:35 (one year ago) link
Not sure which I prefer but Downside Up probably had the better B-sides (all two of them)
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Saturday, 28 January 2023 15:40 (one year ago) link
but Kaleidoscope* rather