Billy Idol - Cyberpunk (1993/2017) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

1993 fifth studio album produced by Robin Hancock (Depeche Mode, Dr. Feelgood, Erasure, Seal). A cyberculture sci-fi concept album developed while Billy was recovering from a motorcycle accident. He became interested in the then emerging DIY technology of recording at home with computers. When originally released this was the first album to feature a floppy disc included as a special bonus. Though the critics were not kind to the album when first released, it remains an intriguing & vital chapter in Idols stellar career.

Cyberpunk, Idol's attempt to restyle himself as a futuristic cyber-rocker, only works when he falls back on his effortlessly catchy guitar hooks and melodies of his past hits (the first single, "Shock to the System," for instance). Unfortunately, most of the album is padded with pretentious speeches, sampled dialog, and underdeveloped songs. Especially noteworthy is his techno-dance interpretation of the Velvet Underground's "Heroin" (featuring a repeated Patti Smith quote), which is one of the worst covers ever recorded.

Tracklist:

01. Intro
02. Wasteland
03. Interlude 1
04. Shock To The System
05. Tomorrow People
06. Adam In Chains
07. Neuromancer
08. Power Junkie
09. Interlude 2
10. Love Labours On
11. Heroin
12. Interlude 3
13. Shangrila
14. Concrete Kingdom
15. Interlude 4
16. Venus
17. Then The Night Comes
18. Interlude 5
19. Mother Dawn
20. Outro

Personnel:

Billy Idol - vocals, keyboards, programming
Mark Younger-Smith - guitars, sitars, keyboards, programming
Robin Hancock - mixing, engineer, producer, programming, keyboards
Doug Wimbish - bass
Larry Seymour - bass
Tal Bergman - drums
Durga McBroom - vocals (background)
Carnie Wilson - vocals (background)
Wendy Wilson - vocals (background)
Jamie Muhoberac - organ, keyboards



All thanks go to the original releaser