Artist: Billy Idol
Title: Devil's Playground
Genre: Rock
Label: Sanctuary Records
Website
Release Date: March 22, 2005

Billy bad ass is baaack! Yes, Billy Idol has recorded a new album, the first studio recording since Cyberpunk (1993). The patented whiplash smile is here with a killer new album called Devil's Playground.

Old friend Steve Stevens is back with his guitar meltdowns and one of the best keyboard players in the world joins the band for this recording as well, Derek Sherinian.

This is a solid album from top to bottom. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised to hear just how good this album was. After such a long layoff, I started listening with an apprehensive ear. Well, Idol put those feelings to bed real quick with a real rocker to start things of titled "Super Overdrive." It oozes with that Idol energy; you feel the sneer in his voice as Stevens takes you to air guitar nirvana. The lyrics on this album are very naughty, typical Idol; after all, it is the devil's playground.

Some of the cuts are out of character for Idol and have a tasteful pop feel to them such as "Sherri" and "Summer Running." The common denominator however is the maturity and development of Idol's voice, this man has a tremendous set of pipes. He is extremely flexible, he can still "Scream" with the best of them but he can also turn on the charm and sound like he was doing a Neil Diamond song, check out "Cherie," it is quite a transition and it suits him well. He even gives country a whirl on "Lady Do Or Die," which is good but not the kind of style I could take for an entire album. Billy is best when he is jumping around screaming and rockin' his arse off, no doubt. What worked for him back in 80s is still relevant now. "Scream" is the new single, it is the redheaded stepchild of "White Wedding" but it rocks much harder. "Evil Eye" was another one of my favorites, a real burn down the house number. The energy of the band and Idol is incredible straight on through this session.

You have to love all of these old rockers coming back and making great albums, well someone has to right?

February 19, 2005

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

01. Super Overdrive
02. World Comin' Down
03. Rat Race
04. Sherri
05. Plastic Jesus
06. Scream
07. Yellin' at the Xmas Tree
08. Romeo's Waiting
09. Body Snatcher
10. Evil Eye
11. Lady Do or Die
12. Cherie
12. Summer Running

Rating-9/10

Credits:
Billy Idol-Vocals
Steve Stevens-Guitar
Stephen McGrath-Bass
Brian Tichy-Drums