Reflections in the Looking Glass, Cleopatra's
Siouxsie & the Banshees tribute, is largely disappointing because most of the participants fail to channel even a hint of the dark, sinister energy that the Banshees invested into their best work. Some of the readings are just so polite sounding, they completely lack any semblance of a subversive edge, which is unforgivable when paying tribute to one of post-punk's most menacing and exciting bands. There are a few highlights; for example,
Switchblade Symphony's imaginative deconstruction of "Nightshift" manages to convey the sly terrorism of the original version. But elsewhere, the polite craftsmanship of these performances replaces all of the threatening power of the originals. ~ Andy Hinds