Year: 1978
Label: Universal
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 36 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Punk Rock
Although not as well as known as some of their peers (the Clash, the Sex Pistols, the Damned, etc.),
first wave U.K. punk rockers Generation X burst onto the scene at the
same time as the others. And while they enjoyed some moderate success in
their homeland, Generation X would become better-known as the launching
pad for their singer, Billy Idol, who would go on to achieve great
commercial success come the '80s. Originally formed in 1976, Generation X
(which was named after a book that focused on battles between the Mods
and the Rockers during the '60s) was comprised of guitarist Bob Andrews,
bassist Tony James, drummer Mark Laff, and fronted by Idol. The group
was eventually signed up by Chrysalis Records, resulting in a
self-titled debut album in 1978 (the U.S. and U.K. versions contained
different track listings), as Generation X became one of the first punk
bands to appear on the popular British TV music program Top of the Pops.
"valley of the dolls"
Year: 1979
Label: Universal
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 36 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Pop Punk
Year: 1981
Label: Universal
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 37 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Pop Punk
Considering it contains one of Billy Idol's best songs ever, you'd think Kiss Me Deadly would be the best Generation X album. That's right, "Dancing With Myself" originated here. You'd also think that since the record features Terry Chimes (The Clash), Steven Jones (The Sex Pistols) and John McGeoch (Public Image Ltd., Siouxsie and the Banshees), that this shit would be gold. That it would turn Generation X into a punk supergroup.Not so much. Generation X effectively broke up in 1980 when drummer Mark Laff and guitarist Bob Andrews quit. The band went through retooling (and rebranding; Kiss Me Deadly is technically accredited to "Gen X") and recorded two records, the abandoned Sweet Revenge album and this one. While Idol took one last stab at keeping the Generation X name alive here, he was already on his way to a solo pop star career. In fact, he launched himself into stardom later that year with the Don't Stop EP, which included reworked versions of Deadly ditties "Dancing With Myself" and "Untouchables." This album never really had a chance. Generation X always emphasized the pop in pop-punk, but Kiss Me Deadly captures Idol right before he went into full on '80s pop mode. It's ridiculous that the guy could write some amazing punk tunes in the '70s and then go on to sing "Eyes Without a Face." As a consequence, a lot of the material here feels defanged at best, forgettable at worst, which is even more disappointing considering the pedigree here. Still, there are a handful of catchy tunes to recommend. "Dancing With Myself" was obviously meant to be a hit even back then. "Happy People" dabbles ever so slightly in dub. "Triumph" proves that, however fleetingly, Idol could still fuse pop and punk into an enticing blend. Overall, though, Kiss Me Deadly is a disappointing conclusion to Generation X's discography. Collectors might be interested in it, but it's real worth is as a curio, not an album. "Dancing With Myself" is an insanely catchy song, but you could always just go for Don't Stop. That one comes with a sweet glamor poster of Idol (*Review by Joe Pelone ).
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