Anima Animus

Anima Animus is the third album by British duo The Creatures (aka singer Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie), released in 1999. The title of the album was inspired by Carl Jung's concept of Anima and animus ("the woman inside the man, the man inside the woman").

Recorded in France and England, the album was a departure from previous Creatures works. While still retaining a percussive element, the music had a more urban sound. Upon its release, the record was well received by critics.

Anima Animus was later hailed by peer PJ Harvey, who selected it in her Top 10 Albums of 1999.

History and release

The pair began developing ideas for the songs in 1995. "Exterminating Angel" was composed that autumn in France. Siouxsie and Budgie had purchased a lot of equipment and decided to work at their house near Toulouse. The original title of the album was Gifthorse, then Mount Venus, before the duo changed their minds to finally opt for Anima Animus, which was a reference to Jung's theory of "The Man Inside The Woman and The Woman Inside The Man". In 1996, no major label was interested in the demos, as they were judged as too avant-garde and not commercial enough. Siouxsie and Budgie then decided to finance the project themselves, and began recording on their own. They produced the album with the assistance of Steve Lyon, Steve Levine and Warne Livesey. Four songs ("2nd Floor", "Another Planet", "Say" and "I Was Me") were recorded in England. While staying in London, they met Doug Hart, who owned an independent label, Hydrogen Records. With his help, the Creatures set up their own label called Sioux Records, and became an independent act. The album was finally mixed in New York. The sleeve was designed and conceived by French artists Pierre et Gilles in Paris.