Devil's Playground
by Billy Idol
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 124 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 124
  3. Negative: 16 out of 124

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  1. PaulaS
    May 25, 2005
    0
    Just when you thought it couldn't get worse than Cyberpunk. It did.
  2. Warlok9
    Mar 25, 2005
    8
    I have been eagerly awaiting this album and the reuniting of Idol/Stevens for 18 years. This album is a mixed bag of experimentation and a return to meat and potato Billy Idol. The first 2 tracks "Super Overdrive" and "World Comin' Down" are Gen X/early Idol throwbacks. If you like the punk-rockabilly sound, this is it at it's most refined. The single "Scream" does exactly what I have been eagerly awaiting this album and the reuniting of Idol/Stevens for 18 years. This album is a mixed bag of experimentation and a return to meat and potato Billy Idol. The first 2 tracks "Super Overdrive" and "World Comin' Down" are Gen X/early Idol throwbacks. If you like the punk-rockabilly sound, this is it at it's most refined. The single "Scream" does exactly what it claims, but it is not the best song on the record. For that, see track 3- "Rat Race". This is what I was waiting for... this is perhaps Idol's finest song since "Eyes Without a Face". The song is near sonic perfection with solid lyrics to boot. Other favorite tracks include "Evil Eye", "Sherri", and the odd but catchy "Plastic Jesus". This isn't as great an album as Rebel Yell, but it surpasses everything Idol has done since. And hey, Cyberpunk is actually a good album that was way ahead of it's time.… Expand
  3. JohannesD
    Mar 26, 2005
    8
    I'm reliving Rebel Yell all over again
  4. RalphO
    Mar 28, 2005
    8
    Give the old man credit for a pretty solid comeback!
  5. MishaK
    Apr 16, 2005
    0
    He should stick to the older stuff. Nothing new or exciting here.
  6. jessew
    Apr 6, 2005
    9
    This album is /easy/ to under-rate-- don't make that mis-take!! Have a good time. LIsten to this CD a couple of times, enjoy it. Many different styles, all of them great-- wonderful guitar, great percussion... and Bill Idol. Writing off as an 80's throwback here is a dumb cop-out. Live a little-- no-- SCREAM! LIVE A LOT!!!
  7. Melissa
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Awesome awesome awesome cd!!!! Love it!!!
  8. IzakL
    Mar 30, 2005
    9
    Most critics rating "Devil's Playground two stars don't like rock. It shines through. For me it's one of the best rock albums in the last ten years! Billy's voice has matured and sounds better than ever!
  9. KateM
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    love it, Scream is great, but Rat Race is even better!
  10. MichelleP
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    I Love this album and love this man's voice. The fact that has a great voice and uses it and is back is what will carry this album and the rest to come. IT sure beats the heck out of the non singers you have listed who rap there music or sound like everyone else, that is not music to me.
  11. MiguelC
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    An perfect album for a great rock'n roll star.It's an album that contains all styles from rock to punk to country to hard-rock to pop and the best in all songs Billy sounds great.
  12. RosieL
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    Are you kidding me? The songs are great! If you like real rock music, you will enjoy this album!
  13. ConnieS
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    Pure Idol!! It's what we've all been missing for the past decade!
  14. LilaM
    Apr 15, 2005
    0
    The CD is weak and Billy Idol lost it.
  15. StephenC
    Apr 29, 2005
    0
    Wow, oh my god and this guy used to be successful. How on earth, whilst making this record did he actually think he's made a good song. So so bad.
  16. Joell
    May 20, 2005
    10
    Billy is still Billy which is why he's AWESOME - he's never given-in to the current "trends" & his new album proves it! It's original & great & so is he!
  17. Idolmark
    May 24, 2005
    10
    This is a fantastic punkrock cd!!! Billy "The KIng" is back!
  18. JuanK
    May 24, 2005
    10
    Awesome album. If you like hard rock, you will not be disappointed - the best album this decade.
  19. mandym
    May 24, 2005
    0
    He was better in the 80's.
  20. JustonS
    May 25, 2005
    10
    A perfect evolution of Rebel Yell, and Whiplash Smile. The best Billy Idol album yet, and "Scream" is the best song to come along in 10 years. The perfect band, the perfect album at the perfect time. "Devil's Playground" is the best album of the 21st century!!!
  21. tanyal
    May 25, 2005
    9
    A great comeback!! A true punkrock tatent!
  22. ToddF
    May 26, 2005
    9
    This is just what the music industry needed! Idol and company delivers a swift kick in the as_ of Rock-n-Roll.
  23. AmyS
    May 30, 2005
    10
    This album is pure Billy Idol. It is as good as, if not better than, anything else he has done.
  24. Jessie
    Jun 20, 2005
    8
    Cosmo is an absolute smart ass and I hate him. Billy Idol IS a landmark! Your a giant jerkoff Cosmo.
  25. CosmoP
    Jun 3, 2005
    1
    This is an album to grow old with. A landmark recording.
  26. Matt
    Jun 9, 2005
    3
    Buy "Sherri" and ignore the rest. He always only had a couple good songs per album.
  27. joew
    Aug 7, 2005
    10
    this is an awesome CD, overproduced my ass, save that for the backstreet boys, its about time idol came back, music needs him
  28. Joakimalf
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Best Billy album ever, he still deliver great Rock´n Roll with energy.
  29. JackC
    Jan 24, 2008
    10
    Wow. Just bought this in used CD bin in January 2008. Did not realize Billy made and album. I have been busy raising kids. This album is great! I'm a little behind, but I look forward to more, more, more!
  30. SteveT
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    Bought this out of curiosity but if there is a better rock album yet this year I havent heard it. So what if he is from the 80s - tracks like Rat Race and Summer Running would stand out on any album
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    The results are much better than his 1993 sci-fi shark jump, Cyberpunk, and so it automatically counts as the best thing he's done since "Cradle of Love."
    Read full review
  2. Blender
    70
    [An] entertaining album. [Apr 2005, p.119]
  3. The Guardian
    40
    The bodybuilder's physique and sneering expression haven't given way to age; nor has his conviction that singing pedestrian clunk-rock is tantamount to signing on as Satan's orchestra leader.
    Read full review
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