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"Despite a slight in intensity in the second half, this first Billy Idol opus is nonetheless a great success, imposing a character with a strong charisma and an affirmed artistic identity."
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4/5
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If he had a relative success with Generation X, Billy Idol however decided to go into exile for the United States, feeling that the punk wave was running out of steam and thinking of a solo career. The destiny puts on his road Steve Stevens, a guitarist with the unique touch and the outstanding talent. If the visual contrast between his brown hair defying the laws of gravity and the short blond haircut of Billy Idol, is striking, there is quickly a real artistic alchemy between the two men which leads to a unique musical style mixing the Hard-Rock influences of one and Punk of the other, to which have been added the elements of Rock and New-Wave, or even of more surprising horizons.
This first eponymous album only contains two tracks written in common, Billy Idol having already some compositions ready before their encounter, but the identity is already well affirmed although they explore quite wide areas. However, from the direct and effective Rock to the simple and catchy chorus of "Come On, Come On", to the cover of the Punk hit "Dancing With Myself" that he wrote with Generation X, Billy Idol keeps many recurrent elements, starting with his singing, slightly low, regularly interrupted by some feline roars, showing some limits during the high pitches, and with a slightly contemptuous tone.
On his part, Steve Stevens is one of those guitarists who prefers the importance of the song to a sterile technical demonstration. The sound is often aerial but the soli can be sharp ("Nobody's Business"), or even experimental ("Shooting Stars" all in mastered distortion). In any case, the two companions give priority to the efficiency rather than to the showiness, varying the atmospheres so that the hook is permanent, offering some surprises at the bend of a "Hot In The City" based on pregnant keyboards and choirs and a singing not without reminding some crooners, but also of a "Love Calling" with rhythmics and tribal choirs, highlighted by a surprising saxophone solo, while Billy is flirting on the mid-tempo ballad "It's So Cruel". The band remains dynamic with some unstoppable salvos, starting with a hyper catchy "White Wedding", mixing Rock energy and New-Wave melancholy, or a "Dead On Arrival" flirting with the borders of the so-called 'FM' Hard.
In spite of a slight decrease of intensity on its second part, this first opus is nevertheless a great success, imposing a character with a strong charisma and an affirmed artistic identity. It should be noted that the original edition ended with "Congo Man", a reprise of the theme of "Love Calling" of 1'08, and that this title was replaced by "Dancing With Myself" from 1983, allowing the set to end on a more energetic note, and thus taking advantage of the late success of this title. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Come On, Come On - 3:59
02. White Wedding (Part 1) - 4:12
03. Hot In The City - 3:38
04. Dead On Arrival - 3:55
05. Nobody's Business - 4:08
06. Love Calling - 4:57
07. Hole In The Wall - 4:10
08. Shooting Stars - 4:32
09. It's So Cruel - 5:09
10. Dancing With Myself (with Generation X) - 3:16
LINEUP:
Billy Idol: Chant / Guitares
Phil Feit: Basse
Steve Missal: Batterie
Steve Stevens: Guitares / Claviers
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
3/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (4 view(s))
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT BILLY IDOL
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