Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
Still sounding as fresh and vibrant as when he first started out four and a half decades ago, Billy Idol roars back with this new four track release, highlighting his range and staking his claim as King of Cool.
Accompanied by his longtime foil Steve Stevens, the singer and the six-stringer bring together their not inconsiderable talents to bear on this quartet of freshly minted gems that highlight just what a potent partnership they’ve been over the years but also what range.
‘Rita Hayworth’ is a suitably rumbunctious start, the rebel rousing cyberpunk rock ‘n’ roll that Idol has built his solo career on, dripping with attitude, sneering delivery and Stevens fiery riffing. From the opening purr, straight into huge gang vocals that light the ignition, it’s a helter-skelter race to the touch line as the songs barrels along at nitro fueled speed, the singer at the wheel with a glint in his eye and perfectly curled lip.
After the frantic opening, ‘Bitter Taste’ brings the blistering heat of the desert matched by a Southern Gothic cool. Beautiful and darkly commanding, it’s a perfect, upbeat hooks tear holes in the brooding atmosphere as both Idol and Stevens give outstanding performances.
Arguably one of the coolest things they’ve done, this highlights the skill of a writing partnership forged through years of working together and must count as one of the finest tracks in their canon.
Turning up the heat again, ‘U Don’t Have To Kiss Me Like That’ is a jagged and driving electro rocker performed with a lascivious smile and some fulsome female backing vocals adding extra fun to proceedings, the production sparkling.
The EP closes with the shimmering ‘Baby Put Your Clothes Back On’, a classic West Coast mid paced ballad with grit and soul dripping with class. The King Rocker is most definitely back and ‘The Roadside EP’ shows he’s certainly not ready to give up his crown just yet. Outstanding.
Billy Idol – The Roadside EP https://BillyIdol.lnk.to/TheRoadsideEPID
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