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	{{Other uses~~\|Manta Ray (album)~~\|Manta Ray (disambiguation)}}		{{Other uses\|Manta Ray (disambiguation)}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}}
	{{Infobox album		{{Infobox album
	\| name = Mantaray		\| name = Mantaray
	\| type = studio		\| type = studio
	\| artist = ]		\| artist = ]
	\| cover = Siouxsie Mantaray.jpg		\| cover = Siouxsie Mantaray.jpg
	\| alt =		\| alt =
	\| released = 10 September 2007		\| released = 10 September 2007
	\| recorded = ~~2006—2007<br~~ />Riverside Studio and Stone Room, ], UK		\| recorded = 2006–2007
			\| studio = Riverside Studio and Stone Room, ], UK
		⚫	\| genre = {{hlist\|]\|]}}
⚫	\| ~~venue~~ =
	\| ~~studio~~ =		\| length = 41:00
		⚫	\| label =
⚫	\| genre = {{hlist\|]\|]}}
			* W14 Music/]
	\| length = 41:00
	\| ~~label = W14 Music/~~] <br />] (US)		* ] (US)
	\| producer = Steve Evans, ]		\| producer =
			* Steve Evans
			* ]
	\| prev_title = ] <br/> ]		\| prev_title = ] <br /> ]
	\| prev_year = 2003		\| prev_year = 2003
	\| next_title =		\| next_title =
	\| next_year =		\| next_year =
	\| misc = {{~~Singles~~		\| misc = {{Extra album cover
			\| header = 2023 re-release cover
			\| type = studio
			\| cover = Siouxsie Mantaray alternate album cover.jpeg
			\| alt =
			\| caption =
			}}
			{{Singles
	\| name = Mantaray		\| name = Mantaray
	\| type = ~~Studio~~		\| type = studio
	\| single1 = ]		\| single1 = ]
	\| single1date = 3 September 2007		\| single1date = 3 September 2007
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	}}		}}
	}}		}}
	'''''Mantaray''''' is the debut solo album by English singer ]. It was released in September 2007 by W14 Music on ]~~, four years after the final album of ], '']''~~. After her first solo tour in 2004, Siouxsie wanted to collaborate with other musicians. She met Steve Evans and ], both of them arranged the songs and produced the record.		'''''Mantaray''''' is the debut solo album by English singer ]. It was released in September 2007 by W14 Music on ]. After her first solo tour in 2004, Siouxsie wanted to collaborate with other musicians. She met Steve Evans and ], both of them arranged the songs and produced the record. Upon release, ''Mantaray'' was well received by critics, with praise focused on Siouxsie's voice and the different compositional styles.

	~~Upon~~ ~~release~~, ''Mantaray'' was ~~well~~ ~~received~~ by ~~critics~~, ~~with~~ ~~praise~~ ~~focused~~ on Siouxsie's ~~voice~~ and ~~the~~ ~~different~~ ~~compositional~~ ~~styles.~~		In July 2023, a remastered version of ''Mantaray'' was reissued on translucent red vinyl, black vinyl and CD, through Siouxsie's official website and online retailers.<ref name=reissue />

	==~~History~~==		==Background==
	After the success of her first solo release, the live DVD '']'', which reached the No. 1 position in the ] in August 2005,<ref>. Thecreatures.com. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2015</ref> Siouxsie received demos from several composers. Universal soon offered her a new record deal on the label W14, which was about to be created by John Williams, ~~who~~ had already previously worked with her for '']'' and '']''. Commenting on the news on her website in July 2006, Siouxsie stated, "At least I didn't have to get someone spray-painting my name on the front of the Universal building"!<ref>{{citation\|url=http://siouxsie.trinitystreetdirect.com/news/news.asp \|title=Siouxsie Signs New Record Deal" \|work=Siouxsietrinitystreetdirect.com \|date=27 July 2006 \|accessdate=2 July 2016 \|url-status=bot: unknown \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204131739/http://siouxsie.trinitystreetdirect.com/news/news.asp \|archivedate=4 February 2007 }}</ref> It was a reference to a famous episode which took place in early 1978 in London when record companies had been tagged one morning with the command, "Sign the Banshees, do it now".		After the success of her first solo release, the live DVD '']'', which reached the No. 1 position in the ] in August 2005,<ref>. Thecreatures.com. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2015</ref> Siouxsie received instrumental demos from several composers. "Loveless" was the first one she got from Kookie, followed by "]".<ref>]. "Siouxsie interview" . W14 Universal. 2007.</ref> Universal soon offered her a new record deal on the label W14, which was about to be created by John Williams - Williams had already previously worked with her for '']'' and '']''. Commenting on the news on her website in July 2006, Siouxsie stated, "At least I didn't have to get someone spray-painting my name on the front of the Universal building"!<ref>{{citation\|url=http://siouxsie.trinitystreetdirect.com/news/news.asp \|title=Siouxsie Signs New Record Deal \|work=Siouxsietrinitystreetdirect.com \|date=27 July 2006 \|accessdate=2 July 2016 \|url-status=bot: unknown \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204131739/http://siouxsie.trinitystreetdirect.com/news/news.asp \|archivedate=4 February 2007 }}</ref> It was a reference to a famous episode which took place in early 1978 in London when record companies had been tagged one morning with the command, "Sign the Banshees, do it now".

	==Recording and music==		==Recording and music==
	''Mantaray'' was co-produced by Steve Evans (who had previously worked with ]) and ] (who had collaborated with Plant as well as with ]).<ref>. Spin.com. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 3 March 20115</ref> The drums were performed by ], who had previously played with both Plant,<ref>Clive Deamer played drums on Robert Plant's '']'' in 2005.</ref> and ]. Evans and Jones together composed the music for the tracks "About to Happen", "If It Doesn't Kill You", "Sea of Tranquility", "They Follow You" and "Heaven and Alchemy".		''Mantaray'' was co-produced by Steve Evans (who had previously worked with ]) and ] (who had collaborated with Plant as well as with ]).<ref>. Spin.com. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 3 March 20115</ref> The drums were performed by ], who had previously played with both Plant,<ref>Clive Deamer played drums on Robert Plant's '']'' in 2005.</ref> and ]. Evans and Jones together composed the music for the tracks "About to Happen", "If It Doesn't Kill You", "Sea of Tranquility", "They Follow You" and "Heaven and Alchemy". Siouxsie worked in a different environment with a touch of fear as she didn't know what to expect.<ref name=phil>{{cite web \|author=Phil Marriott \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w72OZPzRiM \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/4w72OZPzRiM \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|title=Siouxsie Sioux talks about her new album ''Mantaray'' \|work=youtube \|date=August 2007 \|accessdate=15 June 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

	It was the first time that ~~Siouxsie~~ worked with producers who also physically played on the record, which made a "huge difference". Instead of recording the album in one block session, she commuted from France to ] in England where was located the producers' studio. She made several trips from the end of 2006 to May 2007, concentrating on two or three tracks at the time. This working method provided a useful overview, as she stated: "Sometimes when you're so involved in a project day in day out, you can lose sight of the goal or the object. It puts a different discipline to it". She used technology as a tool, listening to the recording process of the music from home.<ref name=wnyc>{{cite web \|author=John Schaefer \|url=https://www.newsounds.org/story/39904-honky-tonkin-in-brooklyn/ \|title=Siouxsie Goes Solo \|work=] \|date=4 September 2007 \|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref> Siouxsie's only instruction to her two composers was "to treat every song as a potential single".<ref name=nrp>{{cite web \|author=David Dye \|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2007/10/03/14947510/siouxsie-sioux-a-rock-icon-goes-solo \|title=Siouxsie Sioux: A Rock Icon Goes Solo \|work=] \|date=3 October 2007 \|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref>		It was the first time that she worked with producers who also physically played on the record, which made a "huge difference". Instead of recording the album in one block session, she commuted from France to ] in England where was located the producers' studio. She made several trips from the end of 2006 to May 2007, concentrating on two or three tracks at the time. This working method provided a useful overview, as she stated: "Sometimes when you're so involved in a project day in day out, you can lose sight of the goal or the object. It puts a different discipline to it". She used technology as a tool, listening to the recording process of the music from home.<ref name=wnyc>{{cite web \|author=John Schaefer \|url=https://www.newsounds.org/story/39904-honky-tonkin-in-brooklyn/ \|title=Siouxsie Goes Solo \|work=] \|date=4 September 2007 \|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref> Siouxsie's only instruction to her two composers was "to treat every song as a potential single".<ref name=nrp>{{cite web \|author=David Dye \|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2007/10/03/14947510/siouxsie-sioux-a-rock-icon-goes-solo \|title=Siouxsie Sioux: A Rock Icon Goes Solo \|work=] \|date=3 October 2007 \|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref>

	''Mantaray'' includes a variety of musical styles, including ], ] and ]. "If it Doesn't Kill You" was one of the oldest lyrics she wrote, and the original music was different before she first met Jones. He was drawn to the title and in Siouxsie's words, "he made it one of those classic songs that could be associated with ]. It's quite cinematic."<ref name=cmj>{{citation \|author=Eric Davidson \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ES0EAAAAMBAJ&q=siouxsie+cmj+mantaray&pg=PA12		''Mantaray'' includes a variety of musical styles, including ], ] and ]. She said: "it has probably got the Siouxsie from seven years old to now, a life painting of where I started and where I am up to now".<ref name=phil /> "If it Doesn't Kill You" was one of the oldest lyrics she wrote, and the original music was different before she first met Jones. He was drawn to the title and in Siouxsie's words, "he made it one of those classic songs that could be associated with ]. It's quite cinematic."<ref name=cmj>{{citation \|author=Eric Davidson \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ES0EAAAAMBAJ&q=siouxsie+cmj+mantaray&pg=PA12
	\|title=What's this Song about? \|work=CMJ New Music \|date=October 2007 \|page=12}}</ref> "Sea of Tranquility" existed as a lyric on its own and was her idea of writing a sci-fi murder mystery. Jones and Evans "took it somewhere with that whole ] thing" and the title of the album comes from a line of it.<ref name=cmj /> A ] is described as "a ghost of a roar from the sea floor" in ~~the~~ song.<ref name=tele>{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3667850/Siouxsie-Sioux-strikes-out-alone.html \|first=Helen \|last=Brown\|title=Siouxsie Sioux strikes out alone\|publisher=The Telegraph\|date=13 September 2007\|accessdate=10 April 2009}}</ref> In an interview for '']'', she further explained: "Because the sounds on the album are so diverse, we needed an abstract title. Rays symbolise something from deep space and a long, long time ago." "The deep ocean also inspired '']'' and science fiction. Which takes us on to space - those wings. Deep ocean and space are almost reversible worlds."<ref name=tele />		\|title=What's this Song about? \|work=CMJ New Music \|date=October 2007 \|page=12}}</ref> "Sea of Tranquility" existed as a lyric on its own and was her idea of writing a sci-fi murder mystery. Jones and Evans "took it somewhere with that whole ] thing" and the title of the album comes from a line of it.<ref name=cmj /> A ] is described as "a ghost of a roar from the sea floor" in that song.<ref name=tele>{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3667850/Siouxsie-Sioux-strikes-out-alone.html \|first=Helen \|last=Brown\|title=Siouxsie Sioux strikes out alone\|publisher=The Telegraph\|date=13 September 2007\|accessdate=10 April 2009}}</ref> In an interview for '']'', she further explained: "Because the sounds on the album are so diverse, we needed an abstract title. Rays symbolise something from deep space and a long, long time ago." "The deep ocean also inspired '']'' and science fiction. Which takes us on to space - those wings. Deep ocean and space are almost reversible worlds."<ref name=tele />

	==Release and ~~critical reception~~==		==Release and promotion==
		⚫	''Mantaray'' was released in the UK on 10 September 2007 on W14 Music, a ] sublabel. A U.S. release followed on 2 October on ]. In addition to the standard jewel case and a tri-fold ], ''Mantaray'' was also released on vinyl in both countries. The album was preceded by its first single, "Into a Swan", released one week earlier on 3 September. Upon release, ''Mantaray'' hit No. 39 in the ].

			"]" was released as second single on 29 October and was followed by the album's third and last single, "]", on 10 March 2008. Mantaray was supported by a year long world tour and TV appearances. The last show of the tour was filmed and released on the '']'' DVD in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2009-05-19 \|title=Siouxsie Sioux raps female image \|language=en-GB \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8058260.stm \|access-date=2022-12-27}}</ref>

			In 2022, ''Mantaray'' was remastered at ] to mark its 15th anniversary. The remastered version featuring different artwork, was released on streaming and download platforms in December 2022. Reissues on translucent red vinyl, black vinyl and CD were out in July 2023 through her official website and online retailers.<ref name="reissue">{{cite web\|url=https://www.normanrecords.com/records/198209-siouxsie-mantaray\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl \|publisher=Normanrecords.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.resident-music.com/productdetails&product_id=100216\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl - CD \|publisher=Resident-music.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.pandvrecords.co.uk/product/siouxsie-mantaray-released-14th-july-2023/\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl\|publisher=pandvrecords.co.uk\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://assai.co.uk/search?type=article%2Cpage%2Cproduct&q=Siouxsie+Mantaray\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl\|publisher=Assai.co.uk\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.towerrecords.ie/product/SIOUXSIE_MANTARAY/937470\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl (Ireland) \|website=Towerrecords.ie\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.amazon.com/MANTARAY-VINYL-SIOUXSIE/dp/B0C832PFP6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HJGGKCWPFYO9\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Black Vinyl - U.S.\|publisher=Amazon.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.hhv.de/shop/en/search/i:A32995S11?term=Siouxsie+mantaray\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Black Vinyl - Translucent Red Vinyl (Germany - Europe)\|publisher=HHV.de\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.amazon.fr/MANTARAY-VINYL-SIOUXSIE/dp/B0C832PFP6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HJGGKCWPFYO9\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Black Vinyl - CD (France - Europe)\|publisher=Amazon.fr\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.fnac.com/a18297630/Siouxsie-Mantaray-CD-album\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' CD (France - Europe)\|publisher=Fnac.com France\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.platomania.nl/article/13577081/mantaray/siouxsie\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' CD (Netherlands - Europe)\|publisher=platomania.nl\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/150094/Siouxsie-Mantaray-2023-Reissue-Sioux-Songs\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl - CD\|publisher=piccadillyrecords.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/product/siouxsie/mantaray-2#vinyl-lp-red-plus\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023 Translucent Red Vinyl \|publisher=Roughtrade.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://boomkat.com/products/mantaray-2730a32d-8020-4ba1-9416-a59d4799bf20#v7222170y\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023 Black Vinyl \|publisher=Boomkat.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://sisterray.co.uk/products/mantaray-2023-reissue?_pos=2&_sid=9c8d3b470&_ss=r\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023 Translucent Red Vinyl \|publisher=Sisterray.co.uk\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.musicglue.com/siouxsie\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' Translucent Red vinyl, Black vinyl and CD\|publisher=Siouxsie official\|access-date=2023-06-29}}<br />{{cite web\|url=https://www.amoeba.com/search/all/?s=Siouxsie%20Mantaray\|title=Siouxsie ''Mantaray'' 2023 2023 on Black vinyl and CD - U.S.\|publisher=Amoeba.com\|access-date=2023-06-29}}</ref>

			==Critical reception==
	{{Album ratings		{{Album ratings
	\| rev1 = ]		\| rev1 = ]
	\| ~~rev1Score~~ = {{Rating\|3.5\|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web \|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mantaray-mw0000486851 \|title=''Mantaray'' - review \|author=Raggett, Ned\|work=] \|publisher=] \|accessdate=3 May 2013}}</ref>		\| rev1score = {{Rating\|3.5\|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web \|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mantaray-mw0000486851 \|title=''Mantaray'' - review \|author=Raggett, Ned\|work=] \|publisher=] \|accessdate=3 May 2013}}</ref>
	\| rev2 = ]		\| rev2 = ]
	\| ~~rev2Score~~ = (favourable)<ref name="bbc">Nelson, Tim . BBC.co.uk. 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>		\| rev2score = (favourable)<ref name="bbc">Nelson, Tim . BBC.co.uk. 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
	\| rev3 = '']''		\| rev3 = '']''
	\| ~~rev3Score~~ = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="guardian">Simpson, Dave. . ''The Guardian''. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>		\| rev3score = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="guardian">Simpson, Dave. . ''The Guardian''. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
	\| rev4 = '']''		\| rev4 = '']''
	\| ~~rev4Score~~ ={{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="metro">"Mantaray - review". '']''. 15 September 2007</ref>		\| rev4score = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="metro">"Mantaray - review". '']''. 15 September 2007</ref>
	\| rev5 = '']''		\| rev5 = '']''
	\| ~~rev5Score~~ ={{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="q">Mulholland, Gary. "Mantaray - review". '']''. October 2007</ref>		\| rev5score = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="q">Mulholland, Gary. "Mantaray - review". '']''. October 2007</ref>
	\| rev6 = ]		\| rev6 = ]
	\| ~~rev6Score~~ = (7.3/10)<ref name="pitchfork">Abebe, Nitsuh. . Pitchfork. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>		\| rev6score = 7.3/10<ref name="pitchfork">Abebe, Nitsuh. . Pitchfork. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
	\| rev7 = '']''		\| rev7 = '']''
	\| ~~rev7Score~~ = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="slant">Schrodt, Paul. . ]. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>		\| rev7score = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="slant">Schrodt, Paul. . ]. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
⚫	\| rev9 = '']''
⚫	\| ~~rev9Score~~ = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="times">Harris, Sophie. . ''The Times'' (subscription required). 7 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
⚫	\| rev10 = '']''
⚫	\| ~~rev10Score~~ = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="uncut">Williamson, Nigel. "Mantaray - review". ''Uncut''. October 2007</ref>
	\| rev8 = '']''		\| rev8 = '']''
	\| rev8Score = {{Rating\|3.5\|5}}<ref>Mackenzie, Wilson. "Mantaray - review". ''Spin''. November 2007. P.125. "She's casting a refreshing new spell".</ref>		\| rev8Score = {{Rating\|3.5\|5}}<ref>Mackenzie, Wilson. "Mantaray - review". ''Spin''. November 2007. P.125. "She's casting a refreshing new spell".</ref>
		⚫	\| rev9 = '']''
		⚫	\| rev9score = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name="times">Harris, Sophie. . ''The Times'' (subscription required). 7 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
		⚫	\| rev10 = '']''
		⚫	\| rev10score = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref name="uncut">Williamson, Nigel. "Mantaray - review". ''Uncut''. October 2007</ref>
	}}		}}
		⚫	''Mantaray'' received positive reviews from music critics. Nitsuh Abebe of ] wrote, "She really ''is'' pop" before finishing the review with the declaration, "It's a success".<ref name="pitchfork" /> Concerning the quality of the songs, journalist Charlotte Heathcote noted, "Impressively, there's not a let-down track on the album and a perfectionist attention to detail sees synths, strings, wind and percussion used to creative, compelling effect".<ref>Heathcote, Charlotte. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 9 September 2007</ref> '']'' also praised the songs and the arrangements, saying that "a thirst for sonic adventure radiates from each track".<ref>{{citation \|author=Segal, Victoria \|title=''Mantaray'' review \|work=Mojo \|date=September 2007 \|page=102}}</ref> Simon Price in '']'' shared the same point of view, stating that "''Mantaray'' is a bracing and beautiful blast of ice".<ref>Price, Simon. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 16 September 2007.</ref> In a review rated 4 stars out of 5, '']'' observed that her "steely-toned voice is as beguiling as ever".<ref name="times" /> Similarly, '']'' critic Andrew Perry noted, "She sounds imperious, passionate".<ref>Perry, Andrew. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 8 September 2007</ref> '']''{{'}}s Gary Mulholland published a positive review and said, "Siouxsie voice is as rich and sensual as ever, and lyrical references to rebirth abound".<ref name="q">Mulholland, Gary. "Mantaray - review". '']''. October 2007</ref> '']'' wrote, "Fortunately she's still the uncompromising outsider at heart".<ref name="uncut" /> In a review rated 4 out of 5 stars, '']'' commented that the 10 songs of her first solo album "do add further depth to her repertoire".<ref name="metro" /> '']'' qualified ''Mantaray'''s sound as "distinctly modern", stating that "it's Siouxsie voice—trembling and echoing all at once—that reaffirms the album's urgency".<ref name="slant" />
⚫	It was released in the UK on 10 September 2007 on W14 Music, a ] sublabel. A U.S. release followed on 2 October ~~2007~~ on ]. In addition to the standard jewel case and a tri-fold ], ''Mantaray'' was also released on vinyl in both countries. The album was preceded by its first single, "]", released one week earlier on 3 September ~~2007~~. Upon release, ''Mantaray'' hit No. 39 in the ].

			===Retrospective appraisal===
⚫	''Mantaray'' received positive reviews from music critics. Nitsuh Abebe of ] wrote, "She really ''is'' pop" before finishing the review with the declaration, "It's a success".<ref name="pitchfork" /> Concerning the quality of the songs, journalist Charlotte Heathcote noted, "Impressively, there's not a let-down track on the album and a perfectionist attention to detail sees synths, strings, wind and percussion used to creative, compelling effect".<ref>Heathcote, Charlotte. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 9 September 2007</ref> '']'' also ~~hailed~~ the songs and the arrangements, saying that "a thirst for sonic adventure radiates from each track".<ref>{{citation \|author=Segal, Victoria \|title=''Mantaray'' review \|work=Mojo \|date=September 2007 \|page=102}}</ref> Simon Price in '']'' shared the same point of view, stating that "''Mantaray'' is a bracing and beautiful blast of ice".<ref>Price, Simon. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 16 September 2007.</ref> In a review rated 4 stars out of 5, '']'' observed that her "steely-toned voice is as beguiling as ever".<ref name="times" /> Similarly, '']'' critic Andrew Perry noted, "She sounds imperious, passionate".<ref>Perry, Andrew. "Mantaray - review". '']''. 8 September 2007</ref> '']''{{'}}s Gary Mulholland published a positive review and said, "Siouxsie voice is as rich and sensual as ever, and lyrical references to rebirth abound".<ref name="q">Mulholland, Gary. "Mantaray - review". '']''. October 2007</ref> '']'' wrote, "Fortunately she's still the uncompromising outsider at heart".<ref name="uncut" /> In a review rated 4 out of 5 stars, '']'' commented that the 10 songs of her first solo album "do add further depth to her repertoire".<ref name="metro" /> '']'' qualified ''Mantaray'''s sound as "distinctly modern", stating that "it's Siouxsie voice—trembling and echoing all at once—that reaffirms the album's urgency".<ref name="slant" />
			In 2023, ''The Times'' named it a "must-have reissue". Reviewer Dan Cairns praised the music, writing: "its mix of lush, ]-like strings, ]-theme melodrama... make a fitting soundbed for that imperious, distinctive voice".<ref>{{cite web\|first=Dan\|last=Cairns\|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-new-albums-of-2023-so-far-6rrrvdnfk\|title=The best albums of 2023 so far - Must-have reissue: Siouxsie ''Mantaray''\|work=The Times\|date=2023-07-16\|access-date=2023-07-18\|quote=''Mantaray'' (2007) received rave reviews on its release, its mix of lush, Bernard Herrmann-like strings, Bond-theme melodrama and Metal Postcard-era snap and crackle make a fitting soundbed for that imperious, distinctive voice.\|archive-date=16 July 2023\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230716001339/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-new-albums-of-2023-so-far-6rrrvdnfk\|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

	==Track listing==		==Track listing==
	{{Track listing		{{Track listing
			\| headline = ''Mantaray'' track listing
	\| title1 = ]		\| title1 = ]
	\| writer1 = Siouxsie, Kookie<sup>1</sup>, Brion James		\| writer1 = Siouxsie, Kookie<sup>1</sup>, Brion James
Line 98:		Line 118:
	\| length8 = 5:13		\| length8 = 5:13
	\| title9 = They Follow You		\| title9 = They Follow You
	\| writer9 = Siouxsie, Jones, Evans, Graham Crabb		\| writer9 = Siouxsie, Jones, Evans, ]
	\| length9 = 5:03		\| length9 = 5:03
	\| title10 = Heaven and Alchemy		\| title10 = Heaven and Alchemy
Line 106:		Line 126:

	==Personnel==		==Personnel==
	* Siouxsie Sioux — vocals		* Siouxsie Sioux – vocals
	* Steve Evans — ], ], ]		* Steve Evans – guitar, ], ukulele
	* ] — ], ], ], ], ], ]		* ] – bass guitar, ], ], ], piano, ]
	* ] — ]		* ] – drums
	* ] — ]		* ] – ]
	* Ken Dewar — percussion		* Ken Dewar – percussion
	* ] — guitars, keyboards, programming		* ] – guitars, keyboards, programming
	* Phil Andrews — guitar, keyboards, programming		* Phil Andrews – guitar, keyboards, programming
	* ] — ], ], ]		* ] – saxophone, trumpet, ]
	* Ted Benham — ], ]		* Ted Benham – ], ]
	* Davide Rossi — ]		* Davide Rossi – ]
	* ] — ]		* ] – ]

	===Notes===		===Notes===
Line 124:		Line 144:
	==Charts==		==Charts==
	{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"		{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
			\|+2007 chart performance for ''Mantaray''
	! scope="col"\|Chart (2007)		! scope="col"\|Chart (2007)
	! scope="col"\|Peak<br />position		! scope="col"\|Peak<br />position
⚫	\|-
⚫	! scope="row"\|]<ref>. ''Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 May 2015</ref>
⚫	\| 39
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row"\| ]<ref>. Lescharts.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>		! scope="row"\| ]<ref>. Lescharts.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015</ref>
	\| 132		\| 132
	\|-		\|-
		⚫	! scope="row"\|]<ref>. ''Officialcharts.com''. Retrieved 24 May 2015</ref>
		⚫	\| 39
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
			\|+2023 chart performance for ''Mantaray''
			! scope="col"\|Chart (2023)
			! scope="col"\|Peak<br />position
		⚫	\|-
			{{album chart\|Scotland\|10\|date=20230721\|rowheader=true\|access-date=22 July 2023}}
			\|-
			{{album chart\|UKIndependent\|5\|date=20230721\|rowheader=true\|access-date=22 July 2023}}
	\|}		\|}

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist\|2}}		{{reflist}}

	{{Siouxsie}}		{{Siouxsie}}
			{{Authority control}}

	]		]

Latest revision as of 00:47, 26 December 2024

For other uses, see Manta Ray (disambiguation).

2007 studio album by Siouxsie

Mantaray

Studio album by Siouxsie

Released

10 September 2007

Recorded

2006–2007

Studio

Riverside Studio and Stone Room, Bath, Somerset, UK

Genre

Length

41:00

Label

W14 Music/Universal
Decca (US)

Producer

Steve Evans
Charlie Jones

Siouxsie chronology

Hái!
The Creatures
(2003)

Mantaray
(2007)

2023 re-release cover

Singles from Mantaray

"Into a Swan"
Released: 3 September 2007
"Here Comes That Day"
Released: 29 October 2007
"About to Happen"
Released: 10 March 2008

Mantaray is the debut solo album by English singer Siouxsie. It was released in September 2007 by W14 Music on Universal Records. After her first solo tour in 2004, Siouxsie wanted to collaborate with other musicians. She met Steve Evans and Charlie Jones, both of them arranged the songs and produced the record. Upon release, Mantaray was well received by critics, with praise focused on Siouxsie's voice and the different compositional styles.

In July 2023, a remastered version of Mantaray was reissued on translucent red vinyl, black vinyl and CD, through Siouxsie's official website and online retailers.

Background

After the success of her first solo release, the live DVD Dreamshow, which reached the No. 1 position in the UK chart in August 2005, Siouxsie received instrumental demos from several composers. "Loveless" was the first one she got from Kookie, followed by "Into a Swan". Universal soon offered her a new record deal on the label W14, which was about to be created by John Williams - Williams had already previously worked with her for Peepshow and Boomerang. Commenting on the news on her website in July 2006, Siouxsie stated, "At least I didn't have to get someone spray-painting my name on the front of the Universal building"! It was a reference to a famous episode which took place in early 1978 in London when record companies had been tagged one morning with the command, "Sign the Banshees, do it now".

Recording and music

Mantaray was co-produced by Steve Evans (who had previously worked with Robert Plant) and Charlie Jones (who had collaborated with Plant as well as with Goldfrapp). The drums were performed by Clive Deamer, who had previously played with both Plant, and Portishead. Evans and Jones together composed the music for the tracks "About to Happen", "If It Doesn't Kill You", "Sea of Tranquility", "They Follow You" and "Heaven and Alchemy". Siouxsie worked in a different environment with a touch of fear as she didn't know what to expect.

It was the first time that she worked with producers who also physically played on the record, which made a "huge difference". Instead of recording the album in one block session, she commuted from France to Bath in England where was located the producers' studio. She made several trips from the end of 2006 to May 2007, concentrating on two or three tracks at the time. This working method provided a useful overview, as she stated: "Sometimes when you're so involved in a project day in day out, you can lose sight of the goal or the object. It puts a different discipline to it". She used technology as a tool, listening to the recording process of the music from home. Siouxsie's only instruction to her two composers was "to treat every song as a potential single".

Mantaray includes a variety of musical styles, including pop, glam and cabaret. She said: "it has probably got the Siouxsie from seven years old to now, a life painting of where I started and where I am up to now". "If it Doesn't Kill You" was one of the oldest lyrics she wrote, and the original music was different before she first met Jones. He was drawn to the title and in Siouxsie's words, "he made it one of those classic songs that could be associated with James Bond. It's quite cinematic." "Sea of Tranquility" existed as a lyric on its own and was her idea of writing a sci-fi murder mystery. Jones and Evans "took it somewhere with that whole bossa nova thing" and the title of the album comes from a line of it. A manta ray is described as "a ghost of a roar from the sea floor" in that song. In an interview for The Telegraph, she further explained: "Because the sounds on the album are so diverse, we needed an abstract title. Rays symbolise something from deep space and a long, long time ago." "The deep ocean also inspired Stingray and science fiction. Which takes us on to space - those wings. Deep ocean and space are almost reversible worlds."

Release and promotion

Mantaray was released in the UK on 10 September 2007 on W14 Music, a Universal Music Group sublabel. A U.S. release followed on 2 October on Decca Records. In addition to the standard jewel case and a tri-fold Digipak, Mantaray was also released on vinyl in both countries. The album was preceded by its first single, "Into a Swan", released one week earlier on 3 September. Upon release, Mantaray hit No. 39 in the UK Albums Chart.

"Here Comes That Day" was released as second single on 29 October and was followed by the album's third and last single, "About to Happen", on 10 March 2008. Mantaray was supported by a year long world tour and TV appearances. The last show of the tour was filmed and released on the Finale: The Last Mantaray & More Show DVD in 2009.

In 2022, Mantaray was remastered at Abbey Road Studios to mark its 15th anniversary. The remastered version featuring different artwork, was released on streaming and download platforms in December 2022. Reissues on translucent red vinyl, black vinyl and CD were out in July 2023 through her official website and online retailers.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
bbc.co.uk	(favourable)
The Guardian
Metro
Q
Pitchfork	7.3/10
Slant Magazine
Spin
The Times
Uncut

Mantaray received positive reviews from music critics. Nitsuh Abebe of Pitchfork wrote, "She really is pop" before finishing the review with the declaration, "It's a success". Concerning the quality of the songs, journalist Charlotte Heathcote noted, "Impressively, there's not a let-down track on the album and a perfectionist attention to detail sees synths, strings, wind and percussion used to creative, compelling effect". Mojo also praised the songs and the arrangements, saying that "a thirst for sonic adventure radiates from each track". Simon Price in The Independent shared the same point of view, stating that "Mantaray is a bracing and beautiful blast of ice". In a review rated 4 stars out of 5, The Times observed that her "steely-toned voice is as beguiling as ever". Similarly, The Telegraph critic Andrew Perry noted, "She sounds imperious, passionate". Q's Gary Mulholland published a positive review and said, "Siouxsie voice is as rich and sensual as ever, and lyrical references to rebirth abound". Uncut wrote, "Fortunately she's still the uncompromising outsider at heart". In a review rated 4 out of 5 stars, Metro commented that the 10 songs of her first solo album "do add further depth to her repertoire". Slant Magazine qualified Mantaray's sound as "distinctly modern", stating that "it's Siouxsie voice—trembling and echoing all at once—that reaffirms the album's urgency".

Retrospective appraisal

In 2023, The Times named it a "must-have reissue". Reviewer Dan Cairns praised the music, writing: "its mix of lush, Bernard Herrmann-like strings, Bond-theme melodrama... make a fitting soundbed for that imperious, distinctive voice".

Track listing

*Mantaray* track listing
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Into a Swan"	Siouxsie, Kookie, Brion James	4:13
2.	"About to Happen"	Siouxsie, Noko, Charlie Jones, Steve Evans	2:50
3.	"Here Comes That Day"	Siouxsie, Noko, Kookie, Howard Gray	4:03
4.	"Loveless"	Siouxsie, Kookie, James	4:25
5.	"If It Doesn't Kill You"	Siouxsie, Jones, Evans	4:32
6.	"One Mile Below"	Siouxsie	3:01
7.	"Drone Zone"	Siouxsie, Steve Hilton	3:22
8.	"Sea of Tranquility"	Siouxsie, Jones, Evans	5:13
9.	"They Follow You"	Siouxsie, Jones, Evans, Graham Crabb	5:03
10.	"Heaven and Alchemy"	Siouxsie, Jones, Evans	4:19

Personnel

Siouxsie Sioux – vocals
Steve Evans – guitar, programming, ukulele
Charlie Jones – bass guitar, upright bass, Rhodes piano, synths, piano, autoharp
Clive Deamer – drums
Hossam Ramzy – percussion
Ken Dewar – percussion
Noko – guitars, keyboards, programming
Phil Andrews – guitar, keyboards, programming
Terry Edwards – saxophone, trumpet, flugelhorn
Ted Benham – hammered dulcimer, xylophone
Davide Rossi – strings
Tom Dalgety – engineer

Notes

Kim Hoglund

Charts

2007 chart performance for *Mantaray*
Chart (2007)	Peak position
French Albums Chart	132
UK Albums Chart	39

2023 chart performance for *Mantaray*
Chart (2023)	Peak position
Scottish Albums (OCC)	10
UK Independent Albums (OCC)	5

References

^ "Siouxsie Mantaray Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl". Normanrecords.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl - CD". Resident-music.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl". pandvrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl". Assai.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023: Translucent Red Vinyl (Ireland)". Towerrecords.ie. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray Black Vinyl - U.S." Amazon.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray Black Vinyl - Translucent Red Vinyl (Germany - Europe)". HHV.de. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray Black Vinyl - CD (France - Europe)". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray CD (France - Europe)". Fnac.com France. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray CD (Netherlands - Europe)". platomania.nl. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray Translucent Red Vinyl - Black Vinyl - CD". piccadillyrecords.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023 Translucent Red Vinyl". Roughtrade.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023 Black Vinyl". Boomkat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023 Translucent Red Vinyl". Sisterray.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray Translucent Red vinyl, Black vinyl and CD". Siouxsie official. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Siouxsie Mantaray 2023 2023 on Black vinyl and CD - U.S." Amoeba.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
"Dreamshow Number one in UK dvd charts". Thecreatures.com. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2015
Morley Paul. "Siouxsie interview" . W14 Universal. 2007.
"Siouxsie Signs New Record Deal", Siouxsietrinitystreetdirect.com, 27 July 2006, archived from the original on 4 February 2007, retrieved 2 July 2016{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
"Siouxsie to Release Mantaray". Spin.com. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 3 March 20115
Clive Deamer played drums on Robert Plant's Mighty ReArranger in 2005.
^ Phil Marriott (August 2007). "Siouxsie Sioux talks about her new album Mantaray [Radio interview]". youtube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
John Schaefer (4 September 2007). "Siouxsie Goes Solo [Radio interview]". WNYC. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
David Dye (3 October 2007). "Siouxsie Sioux: A Rock Icon Goes Solo [Radio interview]". NPR Music. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
^ Eric Davidson (October 2007), "What's this Song about?", CMJ New Music, p. 12
^ Brown, Helen (13 September 2007). "Siouxsie Sioux strikes out alone". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
"Siouxsie Sioux raps female image". 19 May 2009. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
Raggett, Ned. "Mantaray - review". AllMusic. AllRovi. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
Nelson, Tim "Mantaray - review". BBC.co.uk. 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015
Simpson, Dave. "Mantaray - review". The Guardian. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015
^ "Mantaray - review". Metro. 15 September 2007
^ Mulholland, Gary. "Mantaray - review". Q. October 2007
^ Abebe, Nitsuh. "Mantaray - review". Pitchfork. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015
^ Schrodt, Paul. "Mantaray - review". Slant Magazine. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015
Mackenzie, Wilson. "Mantaray - review". Spin. November 2007. P.125. "She's casting a refreshing new spell".
^ Harris, Sophie. "Mantaray - review". The Times (subscription required). 7 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2015
^ Williamson, Nigel. "Mantaray - review". Uncut. October 2007
Heathcote, Charlotte. "Mantaray - review". Sunday Express. 9 September 2007
Segal, Victoria (September 2007), "Mantaray review", Mojo, p. 102
Price, Simon. "Mantaray - review". The Independent. 16 September 2007.
Perry, Andrew. "Mantaray - review". The Telegraph. 8 September 2007
Cairns, Dan (16 July 2023). "The best albums of 2023 so far - Must-have reissue: Siouxsie Mantaray". The Times. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023. Mantaray (2007) received rave reviews on its release, its mix of lush, Bernard Herrmann-like strings, Bond-theme melodrama and Metal Postcard-era snap and crackle make a fitting soundbed for that imperious, distinctive voice.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
Mantaray - charts (France). Lescharts.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015
"Siouxsie - UK Albums and singles charts". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 May 2015
"Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
"Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2023.

v t e Siouxsie Sioux
Studio album	Mantaray
Singles	"Interlude" "Into a Swan" "Here Comes That Day" "About to Happen" "Love Crime"
Video/DVD	Dreamshow Finale: The Last Mantaray & More Show
Live EP	Le Tour Eiffel
Related articles	Siouxsie and the Banshees The Creatures

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