The remixes, while undoubtedly entertaining, would have been better replaced by B-sides or genuine Banshees songs such as "Night Shift" off of the album Juju and the incredible "Switch" from their debut album, The Scream. The dark torment and twisted ecstasy of the band's early compilations is completely absent from this album. Experimental songs from albums like Kaleidoscope and Hyaena also get overlooked although the notoriously happy-sounding "The Killing Jar" can be reexamined in light of its morbid, telling, lyrics. Gone is the wound-up fury of "Blow the House Down" and the tragic statement made in "Swimming Horses" (Siouxsie speaks out against honour killings...). Gone is the gothic heave of "This Unrest" and the uncanny beauty of "Lullaby".

The creative genius that is the base and the source of the band's unique revolution cannot be divined from this poor offering. For a more complete vision of everything Siouxsie has to offer, I would suggest seeking out every album, starting from the debut and moving on through The Rapture. It's the only way to fully embrace the breadth of the work. Of course, there are quite a few throw away songs in the mix - pop chart sellouts and weak attempts at music palatable to the general public - so let me narrow it down to a list of songs/albums well worth the money.

1) The Scream - This debut album is an amazing force of bitter rebellion and gothic sound. The band's layered, dark approach to music is absolutely stellar. Stand-out tracks include "Metal Postcard", "Switch", and "Nicotine Stain". Read the lyrics, they're worth the effort. For a band that came together over a non-serious, unmusical rendition of "The Lord's Prayer"...this is unbelievable.

2)Join Hands - Although I don't own a copy myself, I can't wait to get my hands on one. This is a further exploration of their moody trek down the road of classic goth and the songs can be alienating to new listeners. Lyrics are often undiscernable - hence the necessity of the lyrics booklet. Knowing what she's saying helps in appreciating the band's work that much more. Check out "Placebo Effect".

3)Hyaena and Kaleidoscope - Experimental songs like "Tenant" and "Swimming Horses" are amazing for their innovation and peculiar clarity. Then there are the typical Banshees songs such as "We Hunger" and "Trophy" which bring out the gritty, dark style that is so vital to their music.

4)Juju - This is a dark tour de force that stands on its own as a symbol of everything goth and everything Banshees. Every song is a stand-out and the extended "Voodoo Dolly" has creepy going for it every second of the way.

5)Tinderbox and Peepshow - These two albums dabble in the darker side of pop and the lighter side of goth with introspective songs written by Steven Severin (his lyrics for "Cascade" and "Melt!" are beyond comparison in the way of description and detail, imagery and beauty). Tracks like "Scarecrow" and "Turn to Stone" unveil a more polished side of the Banshees while retaining the sombre fervor of earlier albums. In "Rhapsody" Siouxsie reveals the true strength and operatic quality/potential of her voice to the stunned surprise of the listener.

The Rapture is a strange, disconcerting album in that Siouxsie makes way for a strangled attempt at pop. However, tracks like "Not Forgotten" and "Sick Child" (the latter of which has lyrics by Budgie!) are heartfelt reminders of their old style. In any case, for a real taste of Siouxsie and the Banshees, do yourself a huge favour and look beyond the packaged, polished world that is their "Best of" album. When you've done that, you'll realise (as did I) that your money is better spent elsewhere.


Yes, there are better songs to choose from, but.....   October 10, 2003
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I don't argue with the fact that there are better, more fascinating and perhaps even more representative songs in the Banshees' backcatalogue which would have made a more compelling set of discs. But, because every die-hard fan claims to be an aficionado, someone would inevitably complain with whatever set of more obscure songs were chosen. One must remember that this is, first and foremost, a "Hits" package--and for that purpose the selection of songs is right on the mark. A listener experiences the commercially successful side of the Banshees, which, while not the most intriguing or satisfying facet of an incredible band, is heaps better than 99.9% of everything else being produced today.....commercial or otherwise.


Great songs that improve with age   February 17, 2004
 14 out of 18 found this review helpful

This collection is ideal for the casual listener or those who wish to investigate the work of Siouxsie And the Banshees based on what they have heard on the radio. As such, it is a more than satisfying collection that offers the greatest hits from 1978's Hong Kong Garden up to 1991's Kiss Them For Me and 1995's Stargazer. It includes two cover versions: The Beatles' Dear Prudence and Julie Driscoll's hit This Wheel's On Fire, both competent if not brilliant interpretations.

Of course the 1980s was their most fruitful period with UK hits like Happy House, Israel, Christine, Spellbound and Arabian Knights. Most of these are atmospheric numbers with just a hint of The Banshees' proto-goth dark side shining through. Their debut album The Scream still remains one of the most psychotic statements in rock but is not a piece of music that lends itself to hits compilations. Well, perhaps Helter Skelter should have been considered ...

My favorites include their first hit, Hong Kong Garden, a powerful punk number with absolutely blistering guitar work and an exotic touch, Kiss Them For Me, their lilting, swaying 1991 hit about a doomed actress, Peek-A-Boo from the 1988 Peep Show album and Stargazer from their last, under-appreciated album The Rapture. Great songs and an innovative edge lend a timeless quality to the music. Those who want more of this great band are advised to investigate the compilations Once Upon A Time (1981) and Twice Upon A Time (1992).


TERRIBLE COMPILATION. ... UK Version a little better w/BONUS DVD...   September 21, 2005
 6 out of 15 found this review helpful

This compilation is once again the product of a major record company re-releasing material in order to milk catalog.

SHAME ON YOU GEFFEN UNIVERSAL. THANKS FOR YOUR POOR EFFORT.

First it should be know to all that ONCE UPON A TIME: THE SINGLES is now a DELETED TITLE and is no longer in print. Yes the ORIGINAL and PHENOMINAL greatest hits package was thrown away for this new and poorly put together 'GREATEST HITS' package. Thanks to the record company man who placed this compilation together with out ever listening to a SIOUXSIE record in his lifetime.

From design, to music choice/selection of tracks, its all just wrong. The only good thing to come out of this box-set is the UK print which features a BONUS DVD of most of the videos off of "ONCE UPON THE VIDEOS,' a video collection from Siouxsie's early years that has also been out of print for ages. If you are destined to purchase this newly released package, then spend the extra cash to pick up the UK version, THOUGH BEWARE, THE DVD IS IN PAL FORMAT meaning if you dont have an all region player, it wil do you no good here in AMERICA.

If you are a crazy fan like me...then the DVD is worth the money itself. As for the remix cd that comes along with both versions, it remains a blank and unvisible part of this package as the remixes are aweful.

BRING BACK --- ONCE UPON THE SINGLES !



"Best" is not the proper term   October 20, 2005
 6 out of 13 found this review helpful

I love Siouxsie and the Banshees. I mean REALLY love them. They're my favourite band ever, and it's a shame that such an amazing, prolific group is so poorly represented here.

Alright, I'll admit- every song on this compilation is amazing (if only because the Banshees made so few songs that weren't amazing) but I think they could have at least TRIED to select a track listing that more accurately represents the band- here, they seem to have focused purely on big-selling hits as there are only TWO tracks that weren't on the Once Upon A Time/ Twice Upon A Time singles compilations (both of which are far better representations of the band). I hoped that their "Best of" compilation would give a more diverse taste of the group and display the evolution in their sound, but this isn't the case. You can tell that the band had no input here- this was compiled by record company executives purely as a means to sap more money off the Banshees' fanbase.

This isn't exactly a good choice for people who are just dipping their feet in the Banshees pond- go with the aforementioned singles compilations instead. And, conveniently enough, they're both out of print, so if you can't find them just start off with their studio albums.