Rebel Yell [Expanded Edition] [Remaster] (CD - 1983)

Personnel: Billy Idol (vocals, guitar); Steve Stevens (guitar, keyboards, bass); Mars Williams (saxophone); Judi Dozier, Jack Waldman (keyboards); Steve Webster, Sal Cuevas (bass); Thommy Price, Gregg Gerson (drums); Perri Lister (background vocals).

Producer: Keith Forsey.

Reissue producer: Kevin Flaherty.

Engineers: Michael Frondelli, Dave Wittman, Pete Thea.

Principally recorded at Electric Lady Studios C, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Billy Idol.

Digitally remastered using 20-bit technology by Bob Norberg (Capitol Mastering).

Personnel: Billy Idol (vocals, guitar); Perri Lister (vocals, background vocals); Steve Stevens (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Mars Williams (saxophone); Jack Waldman, Judi Dozier (keyboards); Gregg Gerson, Thommy Price (drums).

Audio Mixers: Dave Wittman; Michael Frondelli.

Liner Note Author: Billy Idol.

Recording information: Electric Lady Studios, New York, NY; Mediasound, Inc, NY; RPM Sound Studios, New York, NY.

Photographer: Brian Griffin .

Arrangers: Steve Stevens; Billy Idol.

Especially once it was reissued in the US with Generation X's classic punk-pop single "Dancing with Myself" tacked on the end, Billy Idol's 1982 solo debut wore its ties to the British New Wave scene proudly. For his 1984 follow-up, however, Idol dropped those associations almost entirely and re-presented himself as a leather-clad hard-rocker. It's a fine distinction to be sure, but one that suited him; REBEL YELL is a superior album to its predecessor. Keith Forsey's crisp production perfectly suits the tougher new songs, and showcases Steve Stevens's punchy, metallic guitar playing, the songs' most potent weapon. Particularly on the rambunctious title track, the creepy "Eyes Without a Face," and the sensual "Flesh for Fantasy"--all big MTV and radio hits--Idol, Stevens, and Forsey blend metal, hard rock, and pure pop tendencies better than almost any act at the time. The expanded CD adds five demos, including the previously unreleased "Motorbikin'."

A slick, carefully crafted follow-up to his debut, Rebel Yell was Billy Idol's catchiest, most consistent fusion of synth-driven new wave pop and hard rock guitar pyrotechnics (courtesy of Steve Stevens). The eerie ballad "Eyes Without a Face" gave Idol his first U.S. Top Ten hit, while "Flesh for Fantasy" and the title track became MTV staples. Like much of Idol's solo output, it's all calculated for maximum appeal, but Rebel Yell also works too well not to be an infectiously guilty pleasure. ~ Steve Huey minimize