Classic Album Reissue Review: Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell'

Billy Idol

Rebel Yell

(Capitol/UMG)

When Billy Idol released Rebel Yell, his second full-length studio album in November 1983, the British singer had experienced moderate success in America the year before with the singles “White Wedding” and “Hot in the City” (and in the case of the former, a very popular and memorable MTV music video) off the self-titled debut effort.

But it was Rebel Yell that sent Idol’s career into overdrive here and rightly so. The tight nine-song collection, crafted by Idol, guitarist Steve Stevens and producer Keith Forsey, was bereft of filler. It contained the pop hits “Eyes Without a Face” and “Flesh for Fantasy,” as well as the title track and “Catch My Fall,” which received significant play at modern rock radio and dance clubs. Certified double platinum, it is Idol’s most successful studio album in the U.S.

Now Rebel Yell is available in an outstanding new deluxe 2CD and 2LP physical editions (plus digital) to mark the 40th anniversary. For fans who might have owned Idol greatest hits collections and other albums, but not Rebel Yell, it is a revelation to hear more of Steven’s guitar-playing pyrotechnics and full-length single versions which were edited down or remixed.

Both Idol and Stevens were executive producers on the reissue, lending a particular care to the project you don’t always see when the artist in question isn’t involved. The sound is stellar; there are various photos (recording studio boxes, video stills, single sleeves) and insightful liner notes from Tim Sommer describing how Idol’s lyrics were a direct result of living in New York City. Until reading the liner notes, I didn't realize that the rhythms weren't entirely done on drum machines. Thommy Price (later of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) was brought in to redo some beats.

Standouts include the racing rocker “Rebel Yell” (Idol spotted Rolling Stones members downing the bourbon at a party) with Idol’s trademark snarling vocals in full effect; lush ballad “Eyes Without a Face” featuring a gorgeous backing vocal line in French by Idol’s girlfriend Perri Lister; the exciting punk-leaning “Blue Highway” (which could’ve slotted nicely on an album by Idol’s 1970s band Generation X); the mysterious vibe on “Catch My Fall,” bolstered by sax work from Mars Williams (Psych Furs, the Waitresses); the simmering tension of “Flesh for Fantasy”; and the hard rocking “(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows.”

Longtime Idol enthusiasts will be particularly interested in the 13-track bonus disc with outtakes, demos, early versions, and session takes (half are previously unreleased). Among the highlights are the spacey and funky Prince-inspired “Best Way Out of Here”; a haunting, yet dramatic cover of Rose Royce’s “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” (removed from final Rebel Yell track contention because Madonna also recorded a cover around the same time); and a super-charged take on Chris Spedding’s “Motorbikin’.” Hearing the songs in various forms of completion or with different tempos (“Flesh for Fantasy”) is fascinating too.

Rebel Yell is highly recommended and one of the best reissues so far in 2024.