Billy Idol - The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself

The original snarl-pop Idol

Billy, of course, always knew he was destined to be a rock god and has never portrayed himself as anything else, so the fact that there’s another compilation out is hardly a surprise. The differences between this set and 2001’s Greatest Hits are minimal, aside from the addition of Speed and World Comin’ Down, the latter from the Devil’s Playground album. The cheerful sneerage of the likes of Rebel Yell, White Wedding and a stomping live version of Mony, Mony are as confidently strutting as ever, and the two new tracks bolted onto the end of this do nothing to knock the rock: both the typically OTT power-ballad John Wayne and New Future Weapon are the work of someone bang on form.

The deluxe edition comes complete with a DVD featuring 13 of Idol’s videos, including previously unreleased versions of Hot In The City (uncensored; cover your eyes vicar) and an extended version of Cradle Of Love. The truth is this was pretty old hat right from the outset of his career, but when you start out as an idol there’s pretty much nowhere else to go. This release revels in its glibness, which is pretty much the point in the first place.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

EMI | 2151432 (CD+DVD)

Reviewed by Joe Shooman
<< Back to Issue 353

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk