Orlando Sentinel Tribune (1.12.90)

THE CREATURES

By Parry Gettelman of the Sentinel Staff

(****) The Creatures, Boomerang (Geffen): This is the third appearance by the Creatures, an 8-year-old side project of Siouxsie and the Banshees' singer-songwriter Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie.

While the Banshees were busy climbing to the top of the college-radio heap in the midto late '80s, the Creatures spent six years in hibernation. Boomerang finds them awaking to explore their dream territory.

The sound is stripped down - vocals and percussion with a few horns - and highly atmospheric, thanks to Budgie's spooky, African-accented drumming and the otherworldly clarity of Siouxsie's vocals.

"Killing Time" sounds like a funeral from another dimension with guest appearances by a New Orleans brass section under some kind of voodoo spell. There's a hint of Tom Waits in the arrangement, but the lyrics are pure British gothic: "If the sun went out/ I wouldn't mind too much/ who needs the days?"

"Standing There" has the quirky pop sensibility of some of the Banshees' more recent work, but slightly crazed horns give the song an additional twist.

Fans of world beat from the beyond will like moody, eccentric songs such as "Willow," "Pluto Drive" and "Simoom."

Contributed by Jerry Burch.