Not since the heyday of his old band, Generation X, has Billy Idol played punk music. His solo career has featured catchy hard rock and smooth synth ballads that were delivered with a trademarked snarl and dominated early-‘80s MTV. Idol published his autobiography, Dancing With Myself in 2014 and released this album of solid commercial rockers and somber midtempo tunes with well-timed barks. Acoustic guitar (!) guides “Ghosts in My Guitar,” while the title track and “Eyes Wide Shut” tap into Idol’s past without feeling heavyhanded. “Postcards from the Past” snatches pieces of Idol’s “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” while “Can’t Break Me Down” deserves to be a hit.
- The Cars
- Def Leppard
- AC/DC
- The Cult