The Billy Idol/Generation X thread

[Sakib]

i've only hurd 2 billy idol songz. White wedding and Scream. can n e 1 recommend an album by him 2 me?

Billy Idol
White Wedding
Rebel Yell
Whiplash Smile

If you like "Punk" you should try to find some Generation X also, his first group.

thanx

[RichardNixon]

"Don't Need a Gun" is my fav. Billy Idol song. Killer solo. The version on his greatest hits cuts it short--so I'd look for the one on Whiplash Smile.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

The new album, Devil's Playground is coming out tomorrow (March 22nd). 

I wanted to see him play at The Roxy in West Hollywood this Friday, until I came across this note at the bottom of his offical website:

"No tickets will be available for sale for the Roxy show. Wristbands will be issued with the purchase of a
Devil's Playground CD when bought at Tower Records On Sunset. They will be strictly limited & issued on a
 'First Come, First Served' basis, so you will need to arrive as early as possible at Tower Records on release day (March 22nd)."

weird.  It's a work day... 

[Hammy]

Just picked up the new album.? After his amazing set at Donnington i was inspired for the first time in my life to actually buy a Billy Idol album, and if this is anything to go buy i will be buying plenty more.? It kicks off with the great Super Overdrive which i could see being a future single, really catchy tune nice solo to.? World Comin Down is equally good and also has potential single written all over it, he seems to be a master of catchy hard rock tunes.? Rat Race is a bit heavier in parts (still has it mellow bits) probably one of the weaker tracks.? Sherri & Romeo's Waiting are 2 both pleasant tunes fit well on the album but more towards the filler end of things.? Plastic Jesus is when he slows things down and does a ballad and to my surprise he's pretty damn good at it, he seems to be in a reflectative mood on the track and it suits him, it's got a great bluesy feel and avoids the cheesy path many ballads go down.? Scream is probably my fave track great choice for the first single (cool video to), i have no idea how well the albums sold but this tune is wonderful and deserves to be a hit and when he performed it at Donnington the only song that got a better response was White Wedding but that's to be expected.? Yellin' at the Xmas Tree...this might make a good Christmas Hit...then again maybe not, it's a fun song, definately not to be taken seriously (will all the bells playing in it) but it's fun nonetheless.? Body Snatcher, Evil Eye, Lady Do or Die, Cherie & Summer Running make up the the end of the album, Summer Running being another fun tune and a great one to finish the album off on, the other stand-out track is Body Snatcher an aptly named rock n' roll tune.? The great thing about this album despite having the odd weak track is it's proper rock n' roll how he should be and it's a great listen and it's amazing to think how long this guys been around when he can release an album this good.

3.5/5

[R4tfink]

Go Billy, cheers for the review Stoned, i will be purchasing next week...
He sure can still rock for an old guy!

Have you checked out Generation X? Its the band he first started in,punk band they are.

[Hammy]

Go Billy, cheers for the review Stoned, i will be purchasing next week...
He sure can still rock for an old guy!

Have you checked out Generation X? Its the band he first started in,punk band they are.

They were next on my list when i saw him live he introduced one of the songs as being from the Generation X days think it was called Ready Steady Go, he's also cool enough to through in some covers live he did The Who's Who Are You & Van Halen's Jump.  Any Generation X recommendations?

[R4tfink]

Only heard a couple of tracks a couple of years ago, so cant really remember, ill be home in about an hour (at work at da mo) ill let you know then!

He is a true ENGLISH Rock and Roll legend though!

 

[Jizzo]

he does jump and sammy does rebel yell. both are pretty good versions

[Butch Français]

I have the new album, I love it. kicks ass!
the only song he should have cut off the album is that weak ass christmas song.

[GeraldFord]

RIGHT!

Saw Idol a few years back and he was pretty rockin'!

Here is how I rate his work, from best to worst:

Rebel Yell- Classic. A great mix of metal/punk/new wave.
Billy Idol- s/t- Love this album almost as much. A great mix of punk and hard-rock.
Whiplash Smile- A little more balsy and ambitious, a little sloppy, but when it's good it's great.
Generation X- s/t Not a massive punk fan but I like it.
Valley of the Dolls- See above. Love the title track.
Kiss Me Deadly- See above.
Devil's Playground- I should have liked it more than I did. It was kind of forced I guess.
Charmed Life- Was not the same after Stevens left.
Cyberpunk- St. Anger bad.

[Jackamo!]

The Devil's Playground is his best album IMO.

[the Garden]

I think Devil's Playground is one of his better albums. I saw him live in Atlantic City a few years ago when he was on tour for the album and that was a hell of a show. I got right to the front row and just rocked out the entire time. Live versions of Rat Race and Super Overdrive were amazing. He also did a kick ass version of Who Are You. Steve Stevens is a really underappreciated guitarist and his solo was just as technically entricite as I have seen from the likes of any member of gnr past and present.

[crazycheryl]

I love Billy Idol still! Last time I saw him was a long time ago when he opened for Sting. He actually was on crutches from the motorcycle accident. But he has an incredible voice and the place was rockin out!

[mrlee]

Wow, ive been really into billy lately and id never heard his debut self titled album.

How great is it, its got the most  upfront guitar and it rocks. i love hot in the city !!!

[crazycheryl]

Wow, ive been really into billy lately and id never heard his debut self titled album.

How great is it, its got the most  upfront guitar and it rocks. i love hot in the city !!!

I love that song too! It just grinds like being in the city on a really hot day.

[GeraldFord]

Billy's got a new best of album, with 2 new songs. You can listen to "John Wayne" on his myspace page--pretty cool.

[Hammy]

Yeah he is really good.  I'd never heard anything besides White Wedding until a couple of years ago, but I caught his performance at the Download Fest and he was superb, one of my favourite live performances I've ever seen, and considering I didn't at the time know most of the songs I thought that was extra cool cos generally, like many, I like to know most of the songs when I go to see an artist.  I grabbed his album Devil's Playground not long after superb record, and his Greatest Hits which I also own is a very good catchy rock album, I really should look into his back catalogue for some of his original albums....

[Jizzo]

i like the 2 new songs

[mrlee]

i really got into Billy Idol a few months ago. I like the majority of his albums, other than Devils Playground, a little too pop punk sounding for my liking.

But his other songs i really enjoy.

I love the song he did for the speed soundtrack also.