Music Reviews

Album Review: Billy Idol – ‘The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself’

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 18, 2008, 16:40 GMT

Deluxe CD/DVD Edition contains 16 classic Billy Idol tracks plus 2 brand new tracks: John Wayne and New Future Weapon. The DVD includes all 13 classic Idol videos never commercially available before: White Wedding, Rebel Yell, Cradle of Love (Billy only version), Hot In The City (uncensored) and L.A. Woman and more. ...more

“If I had the chance I’d ask the world to dance.” 

The eighties were very good to Billy Idol.  That was his heyday and when you listen to the first fives songs, “Dancing with Myself,” “Hot in the City,” “White Wedding (part 1),” “Rebel Yell,” and “Eyes without a Face,” of this “best of” it almost sounds like a soundtrack for the time period. 

Then we come to “Flesh for Fantasy.”  It wasn’t exactly my favorite and several of the songs thereafter didn’t do much for me either.  They weren’t bad they just didn’t live up to the five that came before, but especially “Flesh.” 

We hit “Mony, Mony” and “Cradle of Love” in the roster and all was forgiven.  What also makes this collection nice is not only is Idol touring his back catalogue, but he contributes two new tracks “John Wayne” and ‘New Future Weapon.”  If you opt for the deluxe edition of the releases you’ll get a DVD with 13 music videos. 

“Hot in the City” and “Cradle of Love” have music videos that have never been released before.  I did prefer the more hard rock song entries as compared to some of the slower ones, but it is a good overview of Idol’s career.  Not that his career is over as he contributes some new songs.  Rock on.