The Guardian (2.19.99)

The Creatures

Anima Animus (Sioux)

The Sex Pistols' reunion so horrified punk godmother Siouxsie Sioux and drumming husband Budgie that they split up the ailing Siouxsie and The Banshees on the spot. They spent the next two years writing as The Creatures, the part-time band that last released a record in 1989, and Anima Animus is the result.

Perhaps inevitably, given Budgie's reputation for rhythmic complexity, they've gone in a dancely direction that's evident the moment the album opens with a flurry of hissing breakbeats. But no matter how clever Budgie gets with the so -called 'synthetiques', his other half dominates the proceedings. Siouxsie looms as a cold Gothic eminence, scaring the horses with recitations like 'Plumes of dirt caress a urine-coloured sun'.

Still one of the most distinctive voices in pop, she's lost none of her pitiless allure, even if it's now set to a techno-coloured beat. (CS)

Contributed by Jerry Burch.