There are times when I love this record and there are times when I can't stand it and in both cases it would get 4 Stars out of 5, which makes this a decent follow up to his mega charting Rebel Yell. So, if this is a good album then how can I hate it at times? First off, it sounds lnothing like Rebel Yell, which was a very raw record. That one had some some down and dirty meat to its texture. On Whiplash Smile, the album is more polished in sound and feel. The other thing that makes this stand out a bit more is the overuse of Steve Steven's Ray Gun FX. It's all over this one, whereas it was used sparingly on Rebel Yell.

I'm not knocking it. I actually like the album a lot....but it's not an album I can listen to over and over like I can with Rebel Yell. There are some killer tracks on this one, the best being Don't Need A Gun. Sonically I think it's the best song that both Steve and Billy have ever recorded. Just listen to Steve's wailing guitar solo that is more wall of sound than your typical shread fest. And speaking of Ray Guns, it gets a workout in Beyond Belief. Everyone knows To Be A Lover as the albums biggest hit. I use to really love this song, but I have trouble listening to the cut on this one because I prefer the epic Remix off of Vital Idol instead. Sweet Sixteen is another great song that showed a more "softer" side of Billy, acoustic style.

Fave Songs: Sweet Sixteen, Man For All Seasons, Don't Need A Gun, Beyond Belief and Fatal Charm.

I can't believe it has been probably 15 years since I have listened to Charmed Life from top to bottom. This album is insanely underrated. Because Steve Stevens was gone from Billy's band by this time, the album sometimes gets overlooked. Billy went with another gunslinger by the name of Mark Younger-Smith. He is not in the same mold of Stevens or any other shredder. He is more blues based which of course made Charmed Life very bluesy, but with a much harder rock vibe than the last album and even more so than Rebel Yell. That's not to say that Mark doesn't shred on a few songs. It's just that they are more controlled to serve the song instead of just shredding for the sake of shredding.

If there is a "weak" song to be found here, I guess the opening track The Loveless would be it. I think it's just an okay track and most people would say its 'filler'. I guess you could be right. But listening to it a few times more it's growing on me. But after this, the album really starts to smoke starting with Pumping On Steel. It's a very sedated tempo that just keeps building and right before Mark rips into his guitar solo, the song itself has it's own Phil Collin's 'In The Air Tonight" drum solo that requires you to play at max volume.

Don't skip Prodigal Blues, even if it doesn't sound like a typical Billy Idol song. It's a fantastic slow blues song that shows a different side of to his singing. Love it. L.A. Woman and Cradle Of Love get the most plays because of the videos. I was never a fan of The Doors, but have come to really enjoy Billy's take on the classic song. The thing I gotta mention about Cradle Of Love is the guitar solo. Back when I was doing a lot of 4 Track recording in the day, one of the instrumental songs that I worked on, more specifically the guitar solo, almost note for note what you hear in Cradle is what I have on my demo. The only thing, I recorded the song/solo about 2 years earlier. So when I heard Mark's solo, it floored me. What the  f u c k !!! I gotta find my cassette copy and listen to it. I have not heard it in years. Would be fun to revisit it for sure.

The rest of the album is just as good. Just keep an open mind....and ear and give this one a chance. Just because it's a little bit different from what you would call a typical Billy Idol album, sans Steve Stevens, you may find yourself playing this one a lot.

Fave Songs: Pumping On Steel, Prodigal Blues, L.A. Woman, Trouble With The Sweet Stuff, Cradle Of Love, Mark Of Caine and Love Unchained

Out of all of Billy's albums, I would definitely recommend Charmed Life first. Hopefully she has a copy for you to check out.

cool!

I think I would like the song live a little more than the studio cut...it's a little too over produced for my tastes...but it's a catchy tune!

Billy Idol (Rebel Yell) 1983



Click Me For Review ^^

Rocking this right now. Still reading his book. Still in the Idol zone. Still a kick ass record.

side note chip.

spacermanacelive has uploaded a grip of KISS videos the last few days...well worth checking out,

FLESH!



side side note...GO CHARGERS!!