Billy Idol really is the gift that keeps on giving. After taking a journey through a bad period of addiction, about which he is very open, post-recovery he continues to pump out great music and can still rock an arena. His recent EPs have been as good as anything he ever released and what impresses me most is the variety of music he produces.
As he’s aged I would argue that he has mellowed, but then so have his fans. As such it’s perhaps no surprise that the opening and title track on Dream Into It is a fairly laid back number rather than an in your face punk rocker. It works well with its title, and is a cracking song, followed by a more upbeat number (literally) “77”. Vocals on this one are shared with Avril Lavigne and I think either artist would be happy to claim the song as theirs. While many duets often relegate the guest to a few words or essentially backing vocals, that isn’t the case here with Lavigne opening up the singing and very much being a part of the whole sound.
This isn’t the only guest appearance on here with Alison Mosshart (The Kills) on “John Wayne” and the legendary Joan Jett on “Wildside”. Mosshart and Idol trade vocals on their song, whereas Jett has more of the usual guest appearance on hers. All three songs are refreshingly different to each other, and play up to the strengths of each guest.
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The first single from the album actually finishes things off and I think it’s the most traditionally “Idol” song on Dream Into It. It has a definite feel of the “yeah yeah yeah”s about it and should have folk pogoing, given a chance in his live shows.
A personal highlight is “Too Much Fun” which is definitely autobiographical, telling of those earlier years and drug abuse. The fact that Idol is here today to write bouncy, tongue-in-cheek songs about these incidents is to be doubly celebrated. As they say, you need to see the funny side! “People I Love” also seems self-referential, with a sadder tinge, and is another great song. They do say to write what you know and when Idol does it he really hits gold.
Steve Stevens, Idol’s long time collaborator, deserves a mention as well. Often overshadowed buy the man himself, Stevens has been there for so many years and co-wrote most of the album. His guitar work is as clean and fresh as ever, and I doubt it would sound the same without him.
Billy Idol is knocking on the door of 70 years of age, but on the strength of Dream Into It I am so glad that he hasn’t hung up that leather jacket, and continues to rock.
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Dream Into It is out on April 25th
Header image: David Raccuglia
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