Hyaena (album)
Encyclopedia
Hyæna is the sixth studio album by English post-punk
band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released in 1984. It was re-issued, remastered
, and expanded in 2009. In the United States, Hyæna was the first Banshees album to be released on a major label – Geffen Records
(now sister label
to their then-UK label, Polydor).
Prior to the release of the album, "Dear Prudence" became the band's biggest hit in the UK, reaching number 3 in September of the previous year.
The song was intended to be a stand-alone single in Europe and as it was not issued in North America, it later only appeared on the American version of Hyæna.
It is the only record guitarist Robert Smith
of The Cure
composed and recorded with the Banshees.
Melody Maker
, however, wrote:
The two "Baby Piano" tracks are, respectively, a short piano demo of "Dazzle" and the string backing to the album version of the song.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released in 1984. It was re-issued, remastered
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
, and expanded in 2009. In the United States, Hyæna was the first Banshees album to be released on a major label – Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
(now sister label
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
to their then-UK label, Polydor).
Prior to the release of the album, "Dear Prudence" became the band's biggest hit in the UK, reaching number 3 in September of the previous year.
The song was intended to be a stand-alone single in Europe and as it was not issued in North America, it later only appeared on the American version of Hyæna.
It is the only record guitarist Robert Smith
Robert Smith (musician)
Robert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
of The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
composed and recorded with the Banshees.
Reception
The album received mixed reviews upon release.Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
, however, wrote:
Track listing
1984 UK versionThe two "Baby Piano" tracks are, respectively, a short piano demo of "Dazzle" and the string backing to the album version of the song.
Personnel
- Siouxsie SiouxSiouxsie SiouxSiouxsie Sioux is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer of the critically acclaimed rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees and of its splinter group The Creatures . The Banshees produced eleven studio albums and a string of hit singles including "Hong Kong Garden",...
– vocals - Steven SeverinSteven SeverinSteven Severin , is an English musician, composer, bassist and co-founding member of Siouxsie and the Banshees....
– electric bass and keyboards - BudgieBudgie (drummer)-External links:*...
– drums, percussion, and marimba - Robert SmithRobert Smith (musician)Robert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
– guitars and keyboards - Robin Canter – woodwind
- The Chandos Players – strings
- Mike HedgesMike Hedges-Career:Mike Hedges started as a tape-op at Morgan Studios in London in the late 1970s. Having graduated to engineer, he went freelance in 1981 and became an engineer/producer....
– producer and engineer - David Kemp – assistant engineer
- Siouxsie and the Banshees – producers