Photographers: Adrian Boot; Alastair Thain; Anton Corbijn.
20th Century Masters offers up a straightforward run through Siouxsie & the Banshees' greatest hits, effectively boiling the Once/Twice Upon a Time singles collections down to one disc. It's a well-executed job, as well -- without a keen memory for every U.K. single the band released, it's difficult to pinpoint where the omissions fall. From "Hong Kong Garden" to "Face to Face," the entire spellbinding scope of Bansheedom is laid bare and, if the later years (from "Peek A Boo" onwards) receive short shrift, then that is only as it should be. The innovation that shone through the band's earliest singles was a rare gift indeed; 20th Century Masters allows everyone to share in it, and at a budget price, as well! ~ Dave Thompson