With Billy Idol reviving his career in the past few years and showing us that he still has the voice, the attitude AND the six-pack abs – it’s a perfect time for a career retrospective collection. Oh, Idol has had greatest hits compilations out before (“Vital Idol” in 1987 and “Greatest Hits” in 2001), but this new 2-disc set easily eclipses both, even if it does include much of the same material. The key is that not only does “The Very Best of Idol” include 16 of his most popular songs, but it adds two fine new tracks. “John Wayne” is a laid-back song by Idol standards, but the lyrics speak of the actor’s coolness (nearly as cool as Billy himself, yuk – yuk) and provide some of that attitude I was talking about earlier. Disc 2 is a DVD of Idol’s 13 greatest video moments, which makes this package complete. After all, Billy Idol was one of the foremost TV stars of the MTV era, creating his post-apocalyptic persona in tattered garb, ripped pants and multi-colored finery over several clips. They’re all here – from the first – “Dancing With Myself” to his inspired cover of the Doors “L.A. Woman.” With 18 audio tracks and 13 video clips – “The Very Best of Idol” is an 80’s party in itself!
