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Billy Idol
It was bad enough when Duran Duran staged their ‘comeback’ and things only grew worse when Motley Crue did the same, but nothing in this world could have prepared me for the return of Billy Idol. Do you think this guy learned anything in the two decades that passed without us having to be subjected to his music (Yes, that’s a rhetorical question.)? With artists like Billy Idol presiding over the ‘80s, it’s no wonder that the decade has a bad reputation. If you were a huge fan of ‘classic’ tunes like “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” or the ultra-annoying staple wedding-song version of “Mony Mony”, then a) you and I have extraordinarily different taste in music, and b) you’ll probably love Devil’s Playground. Personally, I think it’s really, really bad.
Devil’s Playground plays like a freeze-dried version of “Rebel Yell,” with the same fist-pumping bravado and the same canned rock-and-roll riffs, but without the freshness and immediacy of hearing it as something new. “Super Overdrive” or “Scream” aren’t bad per se, but sound almost exactly like it’s still 1983, and I don’t consider that to be a good thing. “Plastic Jesus”, though, is so bad that it actually makes me wince. Sample lyrics – “When I’m in a traffic jam, he don’t care if I say ‘damn’, I can let all my curses roll…” I’m not making this up. Almost as ludicrous is “Yellin’ At the Christmas Tree,” a pseudo-punk holiday novelty that will make you long for February. I won’t even discuss his attempt at a folksy love song (“Cherie” needs to be heard to be believed) or even more ridiculous, a love song dedicated to his motorcycle called “Summer Running”.
If you are (or were) a fan of Billy Idol, it’s time to recognize that his hits haven’t aged very well. I suppose it’s time for Billy Idol to recognize this as well. At best, Billy Idol was a guilty pleasure in the ‘80s. In 2005, he’s embarrassing.
Grade: 
 
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