Billy Idol - Greatest Hits (Compilation, 2001) - RESTORED

Album Review:

William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. He first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. He then embarked on a successful solo career, aided by a series of stylish music videos, making him one of the first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens and has a worldwide fan base.

Billy Idol's secret is one that he shares with, of all people, Trent Reznor–the ability to take a pop base and disguise it with layers of other genres, most notably hard rock. His adaptability is on display throughout this 16-song career retrospective. It's amazing just how well the former Generation X frontman's songs have aged. Songs such as the disco-punk hit "Dancing with Myself," "White Wedding," and "Cradle of Love" are as appealing as ever, as is even "Shock to the System," just about the only listenable thing from 1993's Cyberpunk, an object lesson on the inadvisability of jumping blindly on a bandwagon. Fleshing out this best-of is a newly recorded cover of Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)," as well as a live, acoustic version of "Rebel Yell," and a few other choice rarities. –Genevieve Williams

All of Idol's best are represented here from his first EP, Don't Stop, to his last album, Cyberpunk. This collection also contains an acoustic version of Rebel Yell recorded live in December 1993, with Steve Stevens on guitar, playing his heart out. It sounds as if not a day had passed since the original studio recording. Also included is Billy's version of Simple Minds' 80's Anthem "Don't You Forget About Me" from the move "The Breakfast Club". Again Stevens helms the guitar & the version is very faithful to the original while still distinctly "Idol". The song was written by Keith Forsey, Idol's long-time producer & was originally offered to Billy but was not recorded back in 1984/85, for reasons unknown.

All of the songs have been "24 Bid Digitally Remastered" and sound fabulous. Kudos to Capitol Records for giving this Artist the treatment he deservs. Idol helped define the 80's MTV Generation & is still a powerful force in the industry as his version of "Don't You" will attest. An album of all new material is expected by year's end & if the last track on this album is any indication we have alot to look forward to……This is an essential purchase for any Idol fan/80's Music fan-

A must for Billy Idol newbies and for die-hards who want to have a career spanning compilation.

Album Details:

Artist: Billy Idol
Album: Greatest Hits
Label: Capitol Records, Chrysalis Records Inc.
Catalog#: 72435-28812-2-2, 72435-28812-2-2
Format: CD, Compilation, Remastered
Country: US (Made in the U.S.A)
Released: 27 Mar 2001
Barcode: 7 24352 88122 2
Matrix: 724352881222
Time: 71:58
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Pop, Rock
Style: New Wave, Pop Rock, Synth-pop, Classic Rock

Tracklist:

01. Dancing With Myself 4:50
02. Mony Mony 5:01
03. Hot In The City 3:33
04. White Wedding (Part 1) 4:12
05. Rebel Yell 4:47
06. Eyes Without A Face 4:57
07. Flesh For Fantasy 4:38
08. Catch My Fall 3:41
09. To Be A Lover 3:52
10. Don't Need A Gun (Single Edit) 5:24
11. Sweet Sixteen 4:15
12. Cradle Of Love 4:39
13. L.A. Woman (Single Edit) 4:04
14. Shock To The System 3:37
15. Rebel Yell (Live And Acoustic) 5:35
16. Don't You (Forget About Me) 4:52






Credits:

Art Direction, Design - Robert Fisher @ Flying Fish*
Compilation Producer - Kevin Flaherty
Compilation Producer [Production] - Bryan Kelley
Executive Producer - Paul Atkinson
Liner Notes - Ben Edmonds
Mastered By - Keith Forsey , Kevin Bartley
Other [Creative Direction] - Darren Wong
Other [Project Manager] - Kenny Nemes
Producer - Keith Forsey (tracks: 1 to 13, 16)
Written-By - Billy Idol/Tony James (track 1)
Written-By - Bo Gentry/Bobby Bloom/Ritchie Cordell/Tommy James (track 2)
Written-By - Billy Idol (tracks 3,4,8,10,11)
Written-By - Billy Idol/Steve Stevens (tracks 5,6,7,15)
Written-By - Booker T. Jones/William Bell (track 9)
Written-By - David Werner/Billy Idol (track 12)
Written-By - Morrison/Densmore/Manzarek/Krieger (track 13)
Written-By - Billy Idol/Mark Younger-Smith (track 14)
Written-By - Keith Forsey/Steve Schiff (track 16)

Notes:

All tracks 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
"Mony Mony" was originally performed by Tommy James & The Shondells.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" was originally performed by Simple Minds.

This compilation ℗© 2001 Chrysalis Records, Inc.
Manufactured by Chrysalis Records, Inc., a division of Capitol Records, Inc.
1750 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.
Printed in the U.S.A.

Lineage:

SilverCD -> EAC -> WV -> AvaxHome

Extra info:

- CD rip were made from my personal collection (silverCD, NOT CDR!).
- EAC was used for ripping the CD.
- EAC settings: Secure Mode, Offset corrected, Test & Copy Image & Create Cuesheet.
- Cuesheet files included (wav & wv).
- EAC ripping log included.
- Codec used for lossless compression: WavPack 4.60.1
- Samplerate/Bitrate: 44kHz/16bits.
- Complete scans @ 300 dpi, bmp format, no compression.
- All tracks accurately ripped.








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Billy Idol - Idol Songs: 11 Of The Best (Compilation, 1988)


Thank you very much.
Enjoy,
Gonzalo