ALBUM REVIEW: Billy Idol ‘Kings & Queens Of The Underground’

Rocker Billy Idol returns with his trademark sneer after an eight year hiatus to release his seventh studio album Kings & Queens Of The Underground.
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One of 70s punk rock survivors William Broad (a.k.a Billy Idol) returns with his trademark sneer after an eight year hiatus to release his seventh studio album Kings & Queens Of The Underground. With a career spanning five decades, it is hard to believe Billy has only released 6 prior solo albums. Perhaps known best in the UK for his big 80s singles ‘Rebel Yell’, ‘White Wedding’ and the 60s cover ‘Mony Mony’, the former Generation X front-man is arguably more popular on the other side of the Atlantic, due largely to the heavy promotion of Idol by MTV back in the early 80s and his radio rock friendly songs.

The 11 track album opens with ‘Bitter Pill’ as Billy sings “it’s a bitter pill I swallow just to keep you by my side”. Despite the title and lyrics, the track sets a positive tone for the album and is the first of nine songs produced by Trevor Horn (of Buggles fame). Lead single ‘Can’t Break Me Down’ follows and is a stonking track as Billy lets rip vocally proving he is still up to it as he nears sixty! Accompanied with a suggestive video the song is instantly ingrained into the subconscious and straight away I feel I can hear hints of the The Killers ‘Spaceman’ present.

‘Save Me Now’ is an early stand-out while ‘Postcards From The Past’ is a catchy number but does sound reminiscent of earlier Idol material and at one point in the song it almost sounds like Billy is going to burst into ‘Mony Mony’.

Title track ‘Kings & Queens Of The Underground’ is a stripped-back number with haunting lyrics as Billy appears to reflect on his career to date, with inspiration perhaps being drawn from his recently released autobiography titled Dancing With Myself. ‘Ghosts In My Guitar’ and ‘Love and Glory’ are both highlights whilst the album closer ‘Whiskey and Pills’ has real high energy feel to it and is one of my own favourites.

Utlimately, the album is a well-crafted blend of pop-rock that will no doubt please fans of Billy and 80s rock music in general.

Bazza Mills
@bazzamills

Bazza Mills
G'day my name is Bazza Mills! Whilst my wife watches reality TV shows, I enjoy listening to music, going to gigs and taking some photos. Growing up between Scotland and Australia exposed me to a variety of music and my tastes range from The Stone Roses to Guns N Roses. Typically, I love most things guitar based and have a love for live music and photography!