I quite liked Generation X, but not quite enough to purchase a record. Part of the punk movement, but without most of the politics, songs such as "Your Generation", "Wild Youth" and "Ready Steady Go" were fun rather than changing the world.
After the break-up of Generation X, singer Billy Idol decamped to New York and finalized his sneering, spiky bleached hair, leather gear with unnecessary zips, and fist pumping persona which became his trademark. Being in the right place at the right time, Idol became huge in the USA, taking advantage of the launch of MTV with some suitably theatrical videos, and as a part of the so-called "second British invasion". I was surprised to discover that many familiar songs charted so poorly in the UK charts, with only three top 10 singles, one of which was the live cover version "Mony Mony".
When this greatest hits compilation was released in 1987 Idol was still at the peak of this powers, but he subsequently released nothing of any significant merit afterwards, so unless you were an absolute fan this LP is basically all of his that you would need in your record collection. Looking through my collection of singles, I was surprised to find it included "White Wedding", although I don't remember buying it !
Nearly all of the songs contained here should be familiar to most people of my generation, and probably to many younger listeners as well. This is a rare example in Fatbear's Lockdown LPs where I can remember all the songs ( although it is a greatest hits compiliation ! ), so there shouldn't be any surprises in hearing them again. Interestingly though, this album is not on YouTube, so I would have to play them all individually.
I thought there were plenty of great tracks on "11 Of The Best", with my favourites being the recording of the Generation X song "Dancing With Myself", the anthems "Rebel Yell", "Hot In The City" and "White Wedding" and the slower numbers "Eyes Without A Face" and "Sweet Sixteen". I never really saw the point of the cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Mony Mony", especially as this had been covered by many other artists but it was huge success for Idol. The rest I saw as likable fillers.
"Rebel Yell" is perhaps the classic Billy Idol song. A great intro, a searing guitar solo and a memorable chant along chorus. "In the midnight hour, she yelled More ! More ! More !"
"Hot In The City" is slower than the usual Idol song, with strings, a nice bass line, alluring girly backing vocals and the usual anthem chorus.
"White Wedding"is perhaps the best all round song, with a driving bass intro and a great tempo. "It's a nice day to start again, it's a nice day for a white wedding"
The ballad like "Eyes Without A Face" sounded even better now than I thought it did back in the 1980s. I really liked the soft "Les yeux sans visage" backing vocal, there is some not too serious rap in the middle and some screeching guitar before moving back to the soft melody.
"Catch My Fall" is a mainstream rocker which includes some sax, has a nice bass line and a great chorus. "It could happen to you, so think for yourself, if I should stumble, catch my fall - catch my fall !". I was surprised to learn it wasn't a hit in the UK.
Idol's version of "Mony Mony" is a OK cover of the old standard, making sound American mainstream rock a la Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Van Halen or other bands of that ilk, if you like that sort of thing.........
"To Be A Lover" again has a pulsating hi-energy bass and synth beat, girly backing vocals and swinging blues piano. Its the one where the video has Billy in a boxing ring.
"Sweet Sixteen" is a tender acoustic ballad with slight rockabilly undertones. At the time it was released I completely missed the back story around the meaning of the song, thinking it was more akin to Ringo Starr's pervy "Sweet Sixteen" instead of the sad story of a broken engagement and the building of a castle in Florida. It's a great song.
"Flesh For Fantasy" is a standard mid-tempo rocker, saved by a decent hook for the chorus. It now reminds me of something Simple Minds might have released, which isn't a great recommendation in my book !
"Don't Need A Gun" has a catchy synth intro, driving bass and drums and a searing guitar break. It lacks a decent tune though.
"Dancing With Myself" is a re-recording of a Generation X song and is very hard to resist the temptation to get up and dance on your own !"Let's sink another drink, cos it'll give me time to think. If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance and I'll be dancing with myself"
After 35-40 years, Idol's music has stood the test of time, and still sounds relevant today.
Track Listing :
Side One :
1. Rebel Yell ( 1984 - No 6 )
2. Hot In The City ( 1982 - No 58 - remix 1987 - No 13 )
3. White Wedding ( 1985 - No 6 )
4. Eyes Without A Face ( 1984 - No 18 )
5. Catch My Fall ( 1984 - )
6. Mony Mony ( Live ) ( 1987- No 7 )
1. To Be A Lover ( 1986 - No 22 )
2. Sweet Sixteen ( 1987 - No 17 )
3. Flesh For Fantasy ( 1984 - No 54 )
4. Don't Need A Gun ( 1987 - No 26 )
5. Dancing With Myself ( 1981 - )
UK Chart Position : 2
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