Toyah

Featuring the diminutive Toyah Wilcox when she was more Siouxsie Sioux and not so Kate Bush, Toyah Toyah Toyah captures a 1980 concert in Wolverhampton, which was also filmed for a U.K. television documentary on the brittle singer/songwriter/actress/cult figure. She's an acquired taste with that kind of severe personality and delivery -- and even more severe hair -- that could only come from the U.K. and only in the '80s. If you're not familiar with her, don't start here. Start with some kind of hits collection that includes the later, more prog singles "It's a Mystery" and "I Want to Be Free" and leave this to the fans who crave a document of her scrappy early years. With only two albums under her belt at the time of this recording, the new wave diva sounds urgent, hungry, and just as sharp as her haircut while her band rocks with that jagged amphetamine beat, occasionally slowing down for the dramatic sci-fi numbers like "Insects." A year later she would release the fantastical and heavy album Anthem and began phase two of her career, so this is a kiss goodbye to the days of Derek Jarman and the anti-establishment with some songs that wouldn't be on future set lists. Not that there's any other kind of Toyah fan, but this is strictly for the hardcore. [Cherry Red's 2006 reissue of the album adds a whopping nine bonus tracks. Two are from the same Wolverhampton show and originally appeared on "Danced" single while the rest are from later tours. The later tracks are more in line with the Warrior Rock: Toyah on Tour album from 1982, but seeing how they are previously unreleased, fans will appreciate their inclusion even if they're a bit out of place.] ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide