Album Review | Billy Idol: Devil's Playground
Reviewed by: Kage Alan

The last time we heard from Billy Idol was way the heck back in 1993 with the underrated “Cyberpunk” album.  I love that disc!  It was experimental, thought-provoking and a MUST to experience as opposed to simply listening to it.  I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to this music pioneer until I saw his performance during the 2005 New Year’s Eve celebration.  He performed “Scream” and I remember thinking to myself “I WANT this song!” Now I have it and so can you.

Instead of the futuristic journey that Cyberpunk took us on, Billy Idol and long time guitarist Steve Stevens take us back to some good old fashioned Rock with a twist of Punk.  “Super Overdrive” sets the tone both in name and thundering beat.  It is at once less layered than the songs on Cyberpunk and a bit more organic feeling, yet excites in that way only Billy Idol can.  The man can still sneer with the best of them!  “World Comin’ Down” keeps up its hectic pace and it’s almost difficult to believe the man is on the verge of turning 50.

While a bit on the soft side starting out, “Rat Race” turns into something of a rage against the current way we live our lives.  As the lyrics suggest, we have to read between the lines to see it.  Very appropriate.  “Sherri” is a nicely paced song, but it’s “Plastic Jesus” that really caught my attention.  Bound to piss off some devout religious listener who happens to hear the track by mistake, it actually makes some statements that are worth exploring and reading into.  What?  The Idol has depth?  Like you ever doubted it.  “Scream” follows and demands to be turned up LOUD.  I do.  It annoys my neighbors.  They’ll get over it, especially considering what I have to listen to them doing on the weekends.

It’s a little early for Christmas, but “Yellin’ At The Xmas Tree” gives “Devil’s Playground” an unexpected and nifty little touch.  I’ll be pulling the disc out for this one at the end of the year, though it’s not exactly cheery in its lyrics.  “Romeo’s Waiting” isn’t a bad track, but it’s not as exciting as the guitar work in “Body Snatcher” or the ominous overtones in “Evil Eye.” “Lady Do Or Die” is…  Well, it’s on the album and while it has an almost Country-like feel to it, didn’t leave me with an impression one way or the other.  Unfortunately, “Cherie” feels like a weaker track as well.  Fortunately, “Summer Running” is a perfect closing.

If there’s a weakness in the album, it’s a second half that lacks the energy of the first and makes for a bit of an uneven listening experience.  We’ve come to expect music that deserves to be turned up LOUD and while you’ll be doing this all the way through “Scream,” you may find yourself coming to a quieter close.  All in all, “Devil’s Playground” offers some wonderful promise to what Billy Idol is still capable of delivering in the 00’s and I truly hope that this isn’t the last we hear from him for another decade.

Grade: B