I could have done without "Mother" (this kind of a song will reoccur several times in Siouxsie's history though), while "The Lord's prayer" is mainly of historical significance.

In my not so humble opinion Siouxsie's voice is at her best, and will stay at this level through Juju and A Kiss In the Dreamhouse.

I like those two albums even more, but Join Hands is also a must.

Siouxsie's Best Album
This album reflects an early period for the Banshees. It's a very dark and gothic cd, starting with the haunting bells at the beginning of Poppy Day, then smashing through the punkish Regal Zone, followed by the twisted, throbbing Placebo Effect and, my personal favorite, Premature Burial where she whines out that we all should join hands. Best of all, the cd ends with The Lord's Prayer, a song that has, through continuos listenings, forced my wife to snap this cd in-half out of rage. She says that the whole cd sounds like a graveyard---and she's right---this is coming from a woman who listens to Bob Seger and Country music. She simply fails to see the attraction. ---Werty

In Defense of The Lord's Prayer...
Before I launch into any other sort of review, I feel this needs to be stated with regard to the last track on this album:

Fans ought to realise that, without their earsplitting rendition of "The Lord's Prayer", there would be no Siouxsie and the Banshees. If the Bromley Contingent hadn't decided to hop up on stage and pelt the audience with a 20 minute wall of noise, there would be no better albums to compare "Join Hands" with. That said, the track included in this follow up to the Banshees' debut should be regarded as a necessary piece of the band's history and fans should be grateful that Siouxsie decided to recreate the whole thing for record and distribution. Seeking to purchase Banshee records already shows distinct originality and acquired taste on the part of the listener so why shy away from the one song that launched two decades of innovation?

That said, this is a brilliant follow up to "The Scream" for several reasons. The music, the sound, is not the same and why should it be? Second albums are difficult because, while most listeners expect identical music, the band is constantly seeking out new methods of expression. This album flirts with disaster in an overpowering wash of bleak and otherwise desolate set of tracks, but I believe it manages to skirt the rim of oblivion quite nicely. Instead, listeners are rewarded with a journey into the untamed goth sound (even more chaotic that in "The Scream") from which the more polished "Juju" would later emerge. The best part about the Banshees is that each album is distinctive, a testament to the flexibility and metamorphosis of the band. Perhaps it is not in every listener to embrace all aspects of each album. But, the least we can do is acknowledge the fact that all aspects can in fact be embraced.

Why The Band Couldn't Continue As A Punk Group
As an ugly hangover after 'The Scream', 'Join Hands' is somewhat of a dissapointment. Siouxsie and the Banshees try to extend their thematic aspirations, that serve only to collide and grate within the limits of the punk genre. The 14 minute rendition of 'The Lord's Prayer' is just awful and takes up half the album. The other tracks, otherwise dark and terrifying, are subject to questionable production: Siouxsie's voice is lost within a sluggish white noise haze. There are great tracks here, they are just made almost unlistenable. Christ, even the cover sleeve is horrible.
Best Tracks: Placebo Effect, Playground Twist

Give it a fair chance
I always say that the best music is complex and upon first listen it should get a strong reaction (be it positive or negative). It is not right to judge an album from the first listen, that is why this album gets so many negative reviews. Everyone seems to voice disappointment after their incredible debut (The Scream). I'm going to say something controversial: This is better than The Scream. I'm no gothie and will not use cliched words like "dark" but this album is not a sunny walk on the beach, be prepared for a rainy day and cold marble. The opening track makes me think of World War I soldiers, dead, it sets the mood. "Regal Zone," "Placebo Effect"' and "Icons" are just simply great songs, if you give them a chance you will find them in your head. "Premature Burial" is another sort of animal, even more cryptic than the others and certainly somber but it will grow on you and you will find yourself going around the house singing "we're all sisters and brothers...join hands!" Of course "Playground Twist" is another gem,...this album is awesome. Next is their little experiment called "Mother" which is just sheer genius, about the duality of mothers and how we love them and end up resenting them, seems to me Bjork stole Siouxsie's music box. Everyone blasts the last song (it's 14 minutes), "The Lord's Prayer" and I too think it is the album's weakest song but I would still rather listen to this song than anything that is on the radio. I find myself listening to "Join Hands" almost daily and multiple times, it's just an album that blossoms, the more you listen to it the more obsessed you get. Caveat emptor.
1979 album for the British punk/new wave icons. 8 tracks.
Same As Domestic