Devil's Playground

Billy Idol

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0007DII8G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,599 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Those rankled by the seeming cynicism of Billy Idol willfully re-embracing the vintage, hit-making sonic cliches of "Dancing With Myself" and Rebel Yell should look on the bright side: It could have been Flock of Seagulls instead. Stepping back into the spotlight with veteran guitarist Steve Stevens and producer Keith Forsey (key architects of Idol's career-making hits) again in the fold, the now 50-something Rock of the '80s icon offers up a slate of fist-pumping, not-so-new wave here that manages to echo the original's sound and fury--and more than a few of its faux rock rebellion cliches. With a voice that no longer particularly strains to sound like nine yards of beef gristle, Idol gnaws and gnashes his way through rawk-hard anthems like "Scream" with improbable conviction, abetted as on "Rat Race" and "Super Overdrive" by the familiar, careening metallic fretwork of Stevens. A left-field cover of the goofy trucker's lament "Plastic Jesus" argues the lads are still all-too-human, yet "Lady Do or Die" proves there's still a little seductive purr lurking 'round the Idol tonsils, with Stevens gratifyingly making more like Brian Setzer than hair-band Hercules in the bargain. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Japanese pressing of Billy Idol's 2005 album with 1 bonus track 'Bleeding Me Insane'. Sanctuary. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Rocked Out Billy Idol Album!, March 22, 2005

By	Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There is only one word to describe Devil's Playground, awesome. This CD is just so wonderful. Many artists whose success peaked in the 80's often release CD's where they try to re-invent themselves. Billy didn't do that. He stayed true to his rock and roll roots. He didn't try to go alternative or really try to be something that he wasn't. Devil's Playground is very reminiscent to his albums Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile. Yes, Billy took it back to those days. This isn't your Charmed Life or Cyberpunk Billy Idol this is the Billy that you loved in the 80's. It's crazy, but Billy really recaptured the magic of Rebel Yell and the 80's all over again on this album.

Devil's Playground makes the wait oh so worth it. This is the best Billy Idol CD in a very long time from start to finish. The album opens up with two really good, but different songs, "Super Overdrive" and "World Comin' Down." Billy's voice sounds a bit different on these two songs, either due to the key he is singing in or just experimenting with the track. The song "Rat Race" is a slow rock song, but not a ballad and it just rocks. I can't say enough good things about this album.

The first single from Devil's Playground, "Scream," is a safe first single because it just rocks and Billy's fans are sure to embrace this first single which would be perfect for a movie's theme song or for a car commercial. Start to finish, Devil's Playground is a really good album. The song, "Cherie," is an up-tempo love song. The guitar riff of "Romeo's Waiting" will just take you back to the 80's. Think about the album tracks from "Whiplash Smile" and "Rebel Yell" that didn't get released. "Romeo's Waiting" is just a really great song.

Start to finish, Devil's Playground is an awesome CD. If some of your favorite artists from the 80's took long breaks only to come back with a sub par CD, fear not. Billy Idol didn't do that. He went in the lab and came out with a masterpiece that will go down as one of the best CD's he has ever released.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Billy Idol rocks for a new generation, March 22, 2005

By	William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was at South By Southwest last week, and Billy Idol's performance was THE buzz of the whole festival. Everywhere I went people were talking about what a tremendous rock show he and guitarist Steve Stevens put on. There was also discussion about how ravaged by the rocker lifestyle his body was, that he looked about 65 rather than his actual age. Anyway, now here's the new Idol CD, his first in several years, and it rocks as hard as anything he's ever done. The single "Scream" is just a spectacular piece of rock heaviness, and many of the other songs are pretty amazing too. However, one thing that's strange to me is how different his voice often sounds now compared to the old days. I'm sure it's from the effects of the previously mentioned ravages, but listen to Billy's singing throughout the CD and compare it to songs like "White Wedding" and "Rock the Cradle." You'll hear what I mean. On the rare slower or softer passages (such as on the verses of "Plastic Jesus") he even has a raspy quality that sounds a bit like modern-day Bob Dylan! Most strange. The voice thing really doesn't really matter, though. He can still "scream" as well as ever, and Steve Stevens' stratospheric guitar playing is still just as powerful.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprisingly GREAT comeback cd., March 23, 2005

By	Crunchy Frog (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This cd is flat-out FUN to listen to. You can tell that time was taken by all of those involved with this cd to put out a decent product. The band sounds good and rocks hard, and Steve especially sounds excellent. You could tell that he brought his A-game to the studio sessions. Billy sounds a little bit more growly than he used to, but he still sounds great and, more importantly, enthused. I was half expecting this to be a by-the-numbers lame comeback, and I was surprised by just how solid this cd is. I'm happy to rank this as one of Billy's best.

Personal faves on this cd are 'Scream', 'Super Overdrive', 'Sherri', 'Evil Eye', and 'Lady Do or Die'. The only skippable song is 'Yellin at the Xmas Tree', but even THAT is listenable. Listen to the samples on here and see for yourself how he sounds, you'll be pleasantly surprised. I hope that this comeback is successful for him, as this cd deserves to be heard.

Were you ever a fan? Then buy this.