Music review: Billy Idol – ‘Kings & Queens of the Underground’
Always walking a crooked line between sinner and saint, Billy Idol muscles out a new set of raw and honest arrangements with a nostalgic flair.
With 无毛视频淜ings & Queens of the Underground,无毛视频� the 58-year-old punk rock pioneer revives his signature pop-influenced punk rock style heard on classic albums such as 无毛视频淩ebel Yell无毛视频� and 无毛视频淲hiplash Smile.无毛视频�
On Idol无毛视频檚 first release since the ill-advised 2006 Christmas album, the singer spends the majority of the time reminiscing about the good old days of his career.
After getting his first taste of success as a member of Generation X in 1976, Idol went solo in 1981 and quickly became a charismatic star.
Aided by the age of MTV, Idol无毛视频檚 career skyrocketed thanks to hits like 无毛视频淒ancing With Myself,无毛视频� 无毛视频淓yes Without a Face,无毛视频� 无毛视频淲hite Wedding无毛视频� and 无毛视频淔lesh for Fantasy.无毛视频�
Joined by his longtime guitar player Steve Stevens, Idol shines on two of his best tracks in over 20 years.
无毛视频淏itter Pill无毛视频� and 无毛视频淐an无毛视频檛 Break Me Down无毛视频� blend pop and punk to produce moments of infectious fun, while autobiographical arrangements like 无毛视频淧ostcards from the Past,无毛视频� 无毛视频淕hosts in My Guitar无毛视频� and the title track chronicle Idol无毛视频檚 career by revealing the dark and dirty side of being a rock star.
While there are moments that cry out for Idol无毛视频檚 classic sneer and spirited fist pump, most of the time the singer comes off reserved and reflective through lavishly textured arrangements and confessional lyrics.
It无毛视频檚 a welcome change to hear the unruly rebel become the sense of reason. Idol has confidently returned to entertain fans with his unique style of genre-blending arrangements.
All I can say is more, more, more. The album serves as a companion piece to Idol无毛视频檚 recently released autobiography.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.