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Billy Idol
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0724353286026
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
Label: Capitol
Manufacturer: Capitol
MPN: 32860
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Capitol
Release Date: January 29, 2002
Studio: Capitol
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Editorial Review:
It may be debatable when the punk and new wave subculture of the late '70s and early '80s first broke through to the mainstream, but this album remains a perennial contender. Indeed, the cover shot alone perfectly encapsulates the clichés--the sultry pout, black leather vest, tattoos, and spiked bleached hair--of an entire era. After leaving the popular British punk outfit Generation X (represented here by their ubiquitous, if belated American breakthrough hit, "Dancing with Myself"), Idol was shrewd and/or lucky enough to pump up his image just in time for the rise of MTV, infuse his music with guitarist Steve Stevens's metal flash, and hook up with Kiss's former manager--though not necessarily in that order. Former Gen X producer Keith Forsey further burnished Idol's trademark snarl with accessible pop flourishes and yielded two sizable hits, "White Wedding" and "Hot in the City." While "Love Calling" weds some catchy vocal hooks with a Burundi beat to good effect, much of the rest comes off as flaccid, rushed filler. Though 24-bit mastering enhances the sound greatly, the album's brief 10 tracks could have benefited greatly from the inclusion of an original-release track ("Congo Man" was replaced by "Dancing with Myself" shortly after the album's initial '82 release) and several contemporary EP songs that are strangely MIA here. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Classic Solo Debut
Simple and to the point. This is classic 80's glam punk and no one nailed it like Idol and Steve Stevens. Great full debut and followed this up with an all time great of Rebel Yell....
Rating:  - BRING BACK CONGO MAN!!
The original album's cover has Billy in an '80s Oriental shirt, and the last song was "Congo Man". Bring those elements back, and I shall grant this album 5 stars. Until then, I don't care how many times you remaster it, it's still being used as a tool to sell "Dancing with Myself", which stains the beautiful vibe of this album. Is there any guitar work on this planet that can match "Shooting Stars"? Billy, there ARE actually fans of "Congo Man" out here, and I'll even go so far to say it's "part ... Read More
Rating: - Dated, but awesome, totally awesome
In 1981, after making a name for himself fronting the British punk band Generation X, Billy Idol relocated to New York City to make it on his own. While Generation X never broke though the mainstream to achieve massive success, and while the band was generally snubbed by many punk purists as being overtly commercial, Billy Idol was born to be a star. His charisma, photogenic good looks, and ultra-cocky persona were destined to make him an icon in the flashy, glitzy 80s. After three albums with Generation ... Read More
Rating: - Great solo debut
This album was idols first and probably hardest sounding album besides his new one. I put this as my second favorite Idol cd.
Rating:  - Guilty pleasure
This debut by Idol is very strong. The arrangements are simple, the sound is a kind of dance / pop / rock. But the important thing is here: the band is good, and the songs flow effortlessly, with energy and sentiment at the right proportion.
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