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 鈥淜ings & Queens of the Underground,鈥� the 58-year-old punk rock pioneer revives his signature pop-influenced punk rock style heard on classic albums such as 鈥淩ebel Yell鈥� and 鈥淲hiplash Smile.鈥�
On Idol鈥檚 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鈥檚 career skyrocketed thanks to hits like 鈥淒ancing With Myself,鈥� 鈥淓yes Without a Face,鈥� 鈥淲hite Wedding鈥� and 鈥淔lesh for Fantasy.鈥�
Joined by his longtime guitar player Steve Stevens, Idol shines on two of his best tracks in over 20 years.
鈥淏itter Pill鈥� and 鈥淐an鈥檛 Break Me Down鈥� blend pop and punk to produce moments of infectious fun, while autobiographical arrangements like 鈥淧ostcards from the Past,鈥� 鈥淕hosts in My Guitar鈥� and the title track chronicle Idol鈥檚 career by revealing the dark and dirty side of being a rock star.
While there are moments that cry out for Idol鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 recently released autobiography.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.