"A Kiss in the Dreamhouse" is the fifth studio album by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on 5 November 1982 by Polydor Records. The record marked a change in musical direction for the group, incorporating strings for the first time and showcasing experimental studio techniques. Guitarist John McGeoch contributed by playing additional instruments, including recorder and piano. Julian Marszalek of The Quietus described the album as showcasing the Banshees as "one of the great British psychedelic bands."
Both critically and commercially successful, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse peaked at No. 11 on the UK Albums Chart. A remastered 180g vinyl LP reissue was released in September 2018.
After the success of 1981's Juju, the band took a break from writing. In the spring of 1982, they toured Scandinavia with three completed tracks: "Cascade," "Painted Bird," and "Green Fingers." Upon returning to the studio in July, they spent a week improvising, inspired by a tape-looped section of their orchestral single "Fireworks." Siouxsie was determined to avoid synthesizers, favoring real strings for their earthy sound.
The album marked the Banshees' first real exploration of studio possibilities. Engineer Mike Hedges, who focused on vocals, applied different effects to Siouxsie's voice and encouraged experimentation with sounds. A Kiss in the Dreamhouse featured an array of instruments, including recorders, chimes, and tubular bells, and was characterized as the band's "own form of neo-psychedelic rock."
The personal dynamics during the album's recording were often challenging. The band's recently dismissed manager and Siouxsie's former partner, Nils Stevenson, became obsessive due to her new relationship with Budgie. The long hours in the studio were fueled by substances, contributing to a complex environment that shaped the album's creation.
The title originated from Severin, who was inspired by a program about 1940s Hollywood prostitutes undergoing cosmetic surgery to resemble stars. The "Dreamhouse" referred to an actual Los Angeles brothel where clients could meet replicas of famous actresses. An inner sleeve quote about "Nellie the Elephant" alluded to the band’s former manager Stevenson, who was fired before the album's recording.
The artwork drew inspiration from Gustav Klimt’s paintings, reflecting the richness of the music with colorful and gold designs.
