Happy Holidays - Billy Idol Album Review

Album Review

When recording a Crimbo CD every artist should think about damage limitation. Obviously, William Michael Albert Broad, aka Billy Idol, hasn't seriously considered this prospect. Between 1982 and 1994 the former Punk - Cyber Punk singer of Generation X had 17 singles entries in the UK alone, including smash hits White Wedding and Rebel Yell. He's also had six Top 50 albums, selling 20 million world-wide, but this won't be a chart addition. Right now it's nowhere to be seen. Trying to imagine Billy Idol in a Californian recording studio is way beyond my imagination. Idol has delved, and dared, to cover festive standards, which brings thoughts of 'barrel' and 'scraping' of to mind. This 'karaoke' sounding CD beggars belief. Its production is way too thin; in addition, his ropey vocals do little to give it credibility.

Of his efforts Billy said, "I wanted a selection that would please all, while still exploring the awe and mystery that Christmas". Yeah, right. He continued, "These songs are a real challenge to sing as so many other singers have interpreted them in their own style. It was fun to come up against all that and find that these songs sing themselves." Trying to find some redeeming qualities is difficult, but there's the odd, and I mean odd good bits like a rockabilly Winter Wonderland and Rock'n'Roller Run Rudolph Run - and that's about it.

His Silent Night makes me want to cry, not because of the festive season: out of sheer embarrassment.

Be prepared for a delayed and dreadful a cappella Auld Lang Syne.

OUCH - A REAL XMAS TURKEY!

Elly Roberts