Billy Idol - Billy Idol

After a few punk albums with Generation X, Billy Idol stepped out (or sold out according to the stalwart punk rockers who felt betrayed by his change in direction) and launched his solo career. Billy teamed up with guitarist Steve Stevens and the two of them created a hybrid punk bubble gum genre that was equal parts sneer, attitude and catchy hooks. Billy was one of the cornerstones of the '80s and here in Canada he was a pretty big deal proportionately outselling our neighbours to the south. I always liked the songs on the radio, but aside from hearing one of his later (at the time) albums Whiplash Smile once at a friend's (a cursory listen didn't do much to solidify Mr. Idol as anything warranting a purchase) I never bothered to buy anything.

Billy Idol was released in '82 and the song I really remember is "White Wedding (Part 1)," a song that still gives me a big grin. The album would go gold in the US and move 100,000 copies here in the Great White North, eh? Gotta remember '82 Bob and Doug were a pretty big deal here. So it's part of the memoryscape I have of the early '80s. I wasn't as taken with "Hot in the City" back in the day but I have to say it's a great song.

The benefit of discovering old stuff is getting to hear the deeper tracks that don't have any baggage, and while they're fun they also aren't really a lot to write home about ... hence the struggle I'm having finding more words to plunk down. They aren't bad, they're enjoyable and I've played the record several times ... they just don't seem to be sinking in. I suppose I'm battling against four plus decades of accumulated nostalgia, and at my age things just don't get absorbed like they used to.

I'm more like a cat now than a dog. I have limited object permanence. I mean as the album is playing, and it's top of mind, I'm having a good time. When it's over, ask me in ten minutes what I remember and I'll list off the songs that were on the radio back in the '80s.

Chrysalis knew they were onto something with Billy Idol so they tacked on "Dancing With Myself" when they re-issued the record in '83. It's not clear if this was before or after Rebel Yell was released. At this stage of the game does it matter? I'm actually pretty happy I've got the version with it so I'm not complaining.

After all this time, was it really necessary to pick this up? At the moment the answer is a resounding, "YES!" However, give me ten minutes and ask me again.

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