“Too Much Fun” here finds Billy Idol in autobiographical mood. A punker, with a Steve Stevens solo to savour, it essentially sees the man himself explain why he’s ace. It’s been ten years since he put new music out. Consider this him reintroducing himself.
As funny as it is self-deprecating, he takes you through doing “GHB with G.B.H” before gleefully concluding, “I crashed my bike, didn’t die.”
Billy Idol is one of rock’s greatest survivors, and to be fair, he’s just as good as ever. Whether it’s playing arenas on his own or when he had a go at Generation Sex a couple of years ago, he’s a rock star.
In many ways, “Dream Into It” — right from its title track being a rather understated opening — follows that reflective path. But as he points out: “I still don’t know if I’ve only just begun.”
And he still keeps it fresh. It helps that he’s, well, Billy Idol. Special guests aren’t a problem. Avril Lavigne appears for a late-’90s sounding romp called “77,” which recalls drinking and fighting with skinheads and Teddy Boys.
An album full of arena-ready stuff perhaps hits its peak with the brilliant “John Wayne.” Allison Mosshart guests on a real classy ballad.
The biggest star of all the guests, Joan Jett, explores her pop side on “Wildside” — and it’s a superb thing. A kind of knowing glance between the two hellraisers, if you like, that things can always go bad.
“People I Love” offers a tinge of regret to those closest to him who have paid for his hedonism, and it’s tempting to think — to hope even — that he never changes.
And yet, he has. A bit. “Gimmie the Weight” is surprisingly tender as a love song, and “I’m Your Hero” is huge sounding. He claims to be reborn, and the way he sings it is so restrained.
But the last one — it’s a short record at just over 34 minutes — “Still Dancing” is the perfect end to the record.
Those of us that grew up in the ’80s and think of Idol as the arena rocker rather than the punk will be unable to shake the feeling that it sounds like “Rebel Yell.” But so what? It’s a classic.
“I got everything I need right next to me,” sings Billy Idol — and you can be damn sure he’s still dancing, still causing trouble, and still making fabulous records.
“Dream Into It” is one of those. A little more mature, maybe, less belligerent, but an absolute statement of intent that says: if Billy Idol has to grow old, he’s going to do it on his own terms.
Rating: 8.5/10
REVIEW: BILLY IDOL – DREAM INTO IT (2025)
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