Billy Idol - The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself (CD/DVD)
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Free Music Notes for The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself (CD/DVD)
Free Music Review: the BEST!
Hit: 5 Stars
If you want to hear Billy Idol and his band playing the very best...buy it! You can't go wrong and it ROCKS!Free Music Review: The very best
Hit: 5 Stars
If you are looking for Billy's original hits and videos you can't go wrong here. Great old videos!Free Music Review: REBEL YELL !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Best Of or not Billy is great. And the new two songs are amazing !!!!!!!Free Music Review: Should fit the needs of most casual fans
Hit: 4 Stars
Given Billy Idol's "Greatest Hits" (2001) came out a mere seven years ago, it seems kind of odd that a second compilation album is out now with "The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself" (2008). After all, since the last greatest hits, Billy's only released one more album, the underappreciated, hard rocking "Devil's "Playground," (2005) so what's the point?
Necessary or not, "Idolize Yourself" is still a strong compilation that's probably a cut above the first "Greatest Hits."
18 tracks total, "Idolize Yourself" contains almost an identical track listing as "Greatest Hits," except that "Rebel Yell (acoustic)" and a cover of the Simple Minds "(Don't You) Forget about me" are left off, and replaced with "Speed" from the soundtrack of the same name (1994), "World Comin' Down" from "Devils Playground" as well as two new songs "John Wayne" and "New Future Weapon." While the Simple Minds cover is missed, the loss of "Rebel Yell (acoustic)" isn't that big a deal.
Much like "Greatest Hits," "Idolize Yourself" does a pretty good job at selecting the hits and best tracks from Idol's first three albums "Billy Idol," (1982) "Rebel Yell" (1983) and "Whiplash Smile," (1986) although a more dedicated listener will probably want to get all three of those albums as they are all worth owning and contain many gems that aren't as well known. I do have to say, however, that I am displeased that the radio edit of "Don't Need a Gun" is included here instead of the album version (from "Whiplash Smile"). While it's only about a minute or so shorter and may not seem like a big deal--it is. The radio edit really misses something, as Stevens awesome solo is cut short.
I also have a bone to pick with the selections from some of the later day albums. While you have to include "Cradle of Love," from "Charmed Life," (1990) "Idolize Yourself" would have been better served if it had left off the cover of the Doors "LA Woman," as it is just plain terrible. Yes, it was a hit, but a hit to forget. "The Loveless" or "Prodigal Blues" are far stronger and would have made better choices.
"Idolize Yourself" also could have done without "Shock to the System." That song as well as all of "Cyberpunk" (1993) just plain sucks. Hey if Van Halen didn't acknowledge "3," on their best of anthology, Mr. Idol can do the same for his one misguided venture.
It's also a shame that only one track from "Devil's Playground" is included as that album is pretty killer. On the plus side, however, is the inclusion of the excellent "Speed," which has been hard to come by.
The two new songs, the moody new-wave-ish "John Wayne" and the hard rocking "New Future Weapons" are pretty solid and should please most Idol enthusiasts.
In conclusion, while some tracks could have been left off and others included, "Idolize Yourself" is still an excellent compilation that should fit the needs of most casual fans.
Free Music Review: He still has it...
Hit: 4 Stars
I watched an inteview with Billy and apparently it was EMI's idea to do another hits CD. They told him to add a couple new tracks as well. That is the reason for this release.
At first I was hesitant to purchase this yet another "greatest" collection because most of the songs are already on his Greatest Hits from 2001, which I already own. However, after hearing the two new tracks on his website plus the bonus DVD of his awesome videos... well, I had to have it. I only wish that Prodigal Blues was labeled one of his best. I think it was so underplayed when Charmed Life was released. I disagree with the first reviewer about LA Woman being a terrible cover. There is a reason it is one of his hits. I love the energy of that song. It's definitely one of my faves. The videos are great and it really takes me back to the days when MTV actually played videos. Billy is definitely a pioneer of rock videos. His are some of the most unforgettable in history. Again, too bad Prodigal Blues was not included, that is probably my favorite Idol video. Anyway, buy this if you don't have the hits.... or even if you do if but just for the DVD. It's worth it. If nothing else, it's a great way for "the man" to get himself back out on tour and not fade away into history. This icon will never be an aging, has-been product of the 80s. The new tracks prove that he still has what it takes to rock out his fans. He is truly timeless. And really, can you ever hear Rebel Yell enough?