Peepshow is the first album of the English band Siouxsie and the Banshees created as a quintet. With the arrival of multi-instrumentalist Martin McCarrick, the Banshees recorded one of their most astonishing albums, including the vibrant "Peek-a-Boo" and the elegiac ballad "The Last Beat of My Heart".

Peepshow was received very warmly by the critics.

Melody Maker highly acclaimed its first single. "Peek-a-Boo" "is quite the most astounding british record" of 1988, "a brightly unexpected mixture of black steel and pop disturbance.

Q Magazine wrote in its five-star review : "Peepshow takes place in some distorted fairground of the mind where weird and wonderful shapes loom.

Record Mirror also enjoyed the record. "The highlight is the restrained 'The Last Beat Of My Heart', where Siouxsie's voice explores new ground as she caresses a haunting melody.

NME stated : "Peepshow is the best banshees record since "A Kiss In The Dreamhouse" because it's the Banshees deciding to be a Pop band rather than a rock group

Covers

• DeVotchKa released their own version of "The Last Beat of My Heart" on their 2006 EP Curse Your Little Heart.
• Sir Mix-a-Lot used a sample of "Peek-a- Boo" in his song "The (Peek-a-Boo) Game" from his 1989 album Seminar.

Track listing

1. "Peek-a-Boo" 3:12
2. "The Killing Jar" 4:04
3. "Scarecrow" 5:06
4. "Carousel" 4:26
5. "Burn-Up" 4:32
6. "Ornaments of Gold" 3:50
7. "Turn to Stone" 4:05
8. "Rawhead and Bloodybones" 2:29
9. "The Last Beat of My Heart" 4:30
10. "Rhapsody" 6:23

Personnel

• Siouxsie Sioux: vocals
• Steven Severin: electric bass
• Budgie: drums, percussion and harmonica
• Martin McCarrick: cello, keyboards, accordion
• Jon Klein: guitar
• Mike Hedges: producer, engineer
• Siouxsie & the Banshees: producers

Charts

Singles

References