Billy Idol. Dream Into It
He’s come a long way from the Roxy Club. Now 69, Middlesex-born Billy looks back on his rise from frontman with 1976 punks Generation X to global rock icon on his 9th solo album. But not through rose-tinted glasses. Idol confronts his demons – his addiction to self-destructive rock’n’roll excesses that nearly killed him, and his tendency to let down those closest to him. On the tunefully raucous punk-pop of Too Much Fun, Billy admits, ‘They said, “Pick your poison”, so I drank every one,’ adding, ‘Half a line turned into five, I flirt with death to feel alive…crashed my bike, but I didn’t die.’
These nine autobiographical songs are a satisfying musical extension of his decades-long collaboration with New York rock guitarist Steve Stevens, with extra songwriting input from producer Tommy English. On the propulsive 77, Billy recalls the heady days of the punk explosion and the youth cult wars that followed on the Kings Road, Chelsea, when punks fought Teds and skinheads prowled. ‘No, it’s not a fair fight, it never is, but you gotta swing first and you better not miss,’ he growls. Avril Lavigne shares vocals on the effervescent number that’s closer to Green Day than Gen X. Old pal Joan Jett joins him for a melodic duet on soft rocker Wildside. And Alison Mosshart of the Kills does the honours on his revamp of John Wayne, a sweeping mid-tempo song marking his decision to quit smack. Billy samples Suicide’s Dream Baby Dream on the title track in honour of his friend, their late singer Alan Vega. The pumping album closer, Still Dancing, says it all: ‘I’m still dancing, but now I’m in control.’ Proud grandad of four Billy acknowledges his mistakes but commits to rocking on till he drops.
Francis Rossi. The Way We Were Vol. 1. Status Quo star Rossi took these 17 tracks unreleased demos from his own collection. Penned with Bob Young (co-writer of Quo smash Caroline), it includes the raw bones of 12 known songs, and 5 unheard ditties. Why I’m Walking and Can’t Change The World glisten with potential. Scary Mary, with guide vocals and no guitar, is less rewarding.
Simple Minds. Live In The City Of Diamonds. The Glasgow legends pack their 20th century gems into their 9th live album. Recorded in Amsterdam, the 24 songs include 1980’s This Fear Of Gods, the mournfully moving chart-topper Belfast Child and monster hits – Don’t You (Forget About Me), Alive And Kicking, Promised You A Miracle. Sarah Brown is a superb addition. Out now as a 2xCD, 2xLP set.
Kate Rusby. When They All Looked Up. The Barnsley Nightingale lends her spellbinding voice to a fresh mix of folk originals and reimagined covers. Best are the sublimely optimistic Today Again and the beautifully heartfelt Let Your Light Shine, which she wrote for her teenage daughters. Covers include the trad How The World Goes and Coal Not Dole about the 1984-85 miners’ strike.
Pink Floyd. Live At Pompeii. In October, 1971, before 1973’s The Dark Side Of The Moon launched them to mega-stardom, Floyd made a concert film playing to nobody in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii. It captured a magical time, so long ago that Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters actually liked each other. This soundtrack, restored by Steve Wilson, captures the band as they began to morph from improvisational psychedelia to more structured rock. Highs include the meandering but mesmerising Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, the funky jam of Echoes, and the long strange A Saucerful Of Secrets, including the sublime Celestial Voices. See it in IMAX while you can.