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.

“My President”

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."