That Was The Week That Was

That Was The Week That Was

Seven days in Rock and Roll can be a long time or if you like us then it’ll fly by.  With some exclusive interviews and a whole lot of records reviewed we hope we’ve at least shone a little light into a corner of the entertainment world we think houses the best of the best and having the likes of Rich Jones give an interview with some snippets about the new Michael Monroe album revealed ‘One Man Gang’ is now out of the bag and having the likes of Nasty Suicide and Captain Sensible playing on the record 2019 is shaping up nicely or as someone here at HQ said “that’s album of the year sorted for 2019”.

We also brought you Paul Collins interview who is the self declared king of power pop although I did get a call in to HQ saying that wasn’t quite true as Rags now holds that title but I’m not getting involved in that debate but we did announce that Rich Ragany is holding an album launch in London Town in January and the line up is a very impressive set of bands that shouldn’t be missed details can be found on RPM online News section.

There were live reviews from Japanese Garage legends King Brothers as well as acoustic platinum seller Eric Martin and on Friday we brought you a review of The Feelgood Band playing in London which rounded up a pretty diverse bunch from around the globe I’m sure you’ll agree?

For our bread and butter album reviews, we had some old new um very old and one turkey so a festive collection of records were covered by a crack team of scribes.  We previewed Black Friday RSD must own – Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers ‘DTK’ as well as newcomers Estrons that went down extremely well here.  We took a trip to New York for Palmyra Delran and her doppelgangers and whilst we were there Beechwood were heading out the door to Europe for a tour but left us their new long player which is also an impressive second album this year from the three-piece.  The Turkey well we couldn’t sit Idol let Billy off without mentioning his revisited best-of collection that has been given the dance remix treatment which could have worked but cutting edge it isn’t.  90’s dated Ibiza dance off it might have been but disappointing is what it is and we can only bring you the truth here at RPM even though we love William Broad we’re excited for Generation Sex but not his new collection of remixes. There were the likes of the excellent Bitterlicks and Dave Kusworth records reviewed before they hit the shops as well as Thomas Silvers much anticipated solo album.

 

Not wanting to finish on a downer we look forward to the coming week where you have to keep it RPM online because we’re bringing you The Hip Priests and He Who Cannot Be Named live and where else are you getting that and Junkyard bookending Cowboy Junkies?  Nowhere that’s where. Also, we have albums from Honest John Plain, Australians Civic, New York Sick OF It All and Europeans like Youth Avoiders and Fertile Hump.  So remember to keep it RPM online and as Lux would say Stay Sick.

 

 

Billy Idol – Vital Idol (Revitalized) (UMC)

Billy Idol – Vital Idol (Revitalized) (UMC)

Leigh Fuge.

We all know Billy Idol, he’s the peroxide hair, curled lip punk rocker who made a successful transition to 80s mega-stardom. Idol brings the attitude and snarl of his punk background and combines it with some pop sensibilities to give us the arsenal of anthems we all know and love. I’ve always had a soft spot for Billy Idol.

Vital Idol was a best of album, putting all his best-known bangers into one place. Here we have the “Revitalized” version of the best of. This time, the tracks are framed in a new way. Remixed by some of the world’s top electronic music producers.

So, what happens when you take the punk rock stomp and 80s pomp of Billy Idol, chop it up and make it more electronic-focused? Well…

White Wedding kicks off proceedings, but initially, I can only think of one word to describe this new take on the track. It rhymes with white but starts with a different letter.

Straight into ‘Dancing with Myself’ we’re welcomed with a pulsing synth line over Idol’s trademark snarl. This feels more Ibiza 1998 than LA 1987 to me.

Eyes Without a Face made me wish I was a head without ears.

Rebel Yell with its new dubstep style leanings is about as revitalized and exciting as an Osmond’s reunion tour.

There are so many great songs on this album, but the new treatment has certainly made them as thunderous as a damp rag. From the strange 90s style ambient house leanings of Flesh for Fantasy to a modern EDM pop style take on Hot In The City, this album is making no great impact.

While I am not a fan of electronic music in general, I can appreciate a good remix when I hear one. It all feels a bit dated and contrived and even with some big hitters like Moby and Paul Oakenfold in the frame, it still does not revitalize this track listing.

Revitalized? I think not. This is more a case of the vital signs fading. Come on Billy, let’s get those guitars turned back up to 10 and get the place rocking again.

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