Siouxsie's First Solo CD out in America

Hard to believe, but in nearly 30 years, Siouxsie Sioux has never released a true solo album.

Until now.

Mantaray was released in America last week and I do recommend it.

I am a big fan of Siouxsie and have enjoyed all the phases of her career (even met her in 1998 but that's another story).

I find myself drawn to mid-period Siouxsie and the Banshees and the 2nd Creatures album -- The Creatures being just Siouxsie and Budgie.

So I was apprehensive at what Siouxsie was going to do on her first, real solo album.

And, after a few listens, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Mantaray. There are a handful of songs that rank among her best vocal work in decades.

Admittedly, it took a few listens but the album is growing on me as it sounds enough like a 1980s Siouxsie and the Banshees album to please me but just different and mature enough to point in new directions.

Standout cuts include "If It Doesn't Kill You" which sounds a lot like Garbage's "Medication" and that's a huge compliment, and "They Follow You" which sounds like Led Zeppelin in some ways.