.
http://www.rollingstone.com/assets/images/album_review/f2728ea3961057d80f2caeafb6d02639d2d4e990.jpg Billy Idol

Billy Idol

Billy Idol

Rolling Stone: star rating
Community: star rating
5 4 0
September 2, 1982

Billy Idol's music has gone through many alterations since his days with Generation X. Back then, it was punk rock with a pop flair. Then, on his solo EP, Don't Stop, it was boring dance rock. Now, on his first album as a solo artist, Idol has moved into mainstream power rock. The LP is full of energetic, straight-ahead rock & roll, and it looks like Idol may have finally found a comfortable niche.

Idol has a gritty, aggressive voice — suggesting a hybrid of Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed and Dave Clark. He's backed by a first-rate band of New York musicians who give his songs musical depth while keeping up a relentless pace. Admittedly, there's a disturbing familiarity about too many of the tunes here. Still, "Come On, Come On," "Hot in the City," "Love Calling" and "Shooting Stars" are powerful and catchy, and Billy Idol's combination of rock & roll energy and pop melodies makes this a very satisfying album.

prev
Album Review Main Next

ADD A COMMENT

Community Guidelines »
loading comments

loading comments...

COMMENTS

Sort by:
    Read More

    Music Reviews

    more Reviews »
    Daily Newsletter

    Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

    Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
    marketing partners.

    X

    We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

    Song Stories

    “My President”

    Young Jeezy | 2008

    Young Jeezy teams up with Nas on this track, in which he compare his own success with the idea of an African-American winning the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2008 presidential election. "When I pulled up in my car, that s--- was unbelievable to people in my neighborhood because they were like, 'We grew up with him. How the hell did he accomplish this?'" he told Rolling Stone. "I feel like it was the same way with Obama. I grew up all this time, but I've never seen a black man this close to running this country."

    More Song Stories entries »