Billy Idol - Billy Idol (1982, remastered 2002) [lossless]

A year after the dissolution of Generation X, its lead singer, William Michael Albert Broad, a.k.a. Billy Idol, embarked on a solo career and released his eponymous solo debut. Some of the harder tracks recalled the wild youth of the Gen X years, but the singles indicated a polishing of that style, meaning less punk guitar, but an emphasis on carefully synced bass and drums, airy synths, and glitzy production.

"White Wedding Part 1" encompasses the successful formula, pulsing bass, Steve Stevens fiery guitar, thudding techno drum beats, airy backup vocals, and Idol's menacing deeper voice which ratcheted to its old punk fury when he screams "start again!" Though cracking the Top 40, it's an Idol and essential 80's classic.

"Hot In The City," another single, with synths and soulful backup singers adding to the lounge-like ambience of the mid-paced song. Idol's crooning is a far cry from "Your Generation," to be sure. As for "Love Calling," it's a bit of punk with some Caribbean-style rhythms mixed in with horns and rock guitar, relying on a constant drum backbeat, which is the sole thing playing, giving this song a somewhat minimalist visage.

Of the non-singles, it's kind of a potluck. "Dead On Arrival" is a return to Gen X-style Idol with its pulsing drums and bass, sounding like a poppier cousin of the Pistol's "EMI" at parts. The mid-paced "Nobody's Business" veers more towards pop rather than punk, and with its Van Halen-like synths and catchy vocal hooks, would've been a decent single, as would have "Shooting Stars." Other tracks like "Come On Come On" makes one think what Gen X could've done with this stuff, and "Hole In The Wall" is pure filler.

"It's So Cruel" is a calm and quiet ballad, with the loungy sounds of the Stones' "Waiting On A Friend" coming through. It also serves as a nice prelude to the final track, which is a familiar one-none other than Billy Idol's song with Generation X, "Dancing With Myself." It's by far the hardest driving track on here, a replacement for "Congo Man" that was on the original. BTW, thanks to Eric Andrews for this bit of info.

The album marked Idol's collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens, whose fiery and squealing guitar theatrics would prove invaluable on the hit Rebel Yell album, and producer Keith Forsey, who helmed Idol's albums through Charmed Life. Idol's image had a lot going for him, that platinum spiked hair and that sneer that became his trademark. But the music here, while uneven in consistency, showed promise, especially in the midnight hour.

Listen to samples on Amazon

Tracklist

1. Come On, Come On (03:59)
2. White Wedding (Part 1) (04:12)
3. Hot In The City (03:38)
4. Dead On Arrival (03:55)
5. Nobody's Business (04:08)
6. Love Calling (04:57)
7. Hole In The Wall (04:10)
8. Shooting Stars (04:32)
9. It's So Cruel (05:09)
10. Billy Idol with Generation X / Dancing With Myself (03:16)

Total time 00:41:56