Released in 1981, Kiss Me Deadly by Generation X (Gen X) stands as a monument to the band's contribution to the punk rock and new wave movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fronted by the charismatic Billy Idol, Gen X brought a unique blend of energy, attitude, and musicality to the table, and this album perfectly captures the essence of their sound.
At the time of its release, Kiss Me Deadly found itself firmly entrenched within the punk zeitgeist, albeit with a touch of new wave influence. Yet, perplexingly, Kiss Me Deadly was a commercial failure. During the time many punk bands were beginning to explore different musical territories and Gen X managed to strike a delicate balance between their punk roots and a more melodic, pop-oriented sound; one that ultimately brought punk to the masses as this fusion made the album accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing the rebellious spirit that defined the genre.
Despite being out-of-print since its last physical release on CD in 2005, Apple Music et al, along with digital stores such as iTunes and Quobuz, still have the Deluxe Edition of this classic genre-defining album available. While many will lament the lack of availability of a physical release, it’s wonderful to know that Kiss Me Deadly is still available without the need to seek out a secondhand copy. As such, for this review, we’ll be focusing on the core 10 tracks that were originally released, for the bonus inclusions are B-sides and a couple of live recordings. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but as regular readers would note, I’m very focused on the original album experience and feel that you should get to know the album well before venturing into bonus material. Subsequently, the Apple Music stream that I’ll share with you below will be in the form of a Playlist as that allows me to share just the core songs that make up this exceptional album.
Speaking of Apple Music, Kiss Me Deadly is delivered as a CD-quality lossless stream and it’s a rocker. The dynamic range is exceptional and while there are a couple of minor tweaks I’d make to the midrange, simply to fill it out a little more, that can be achieved by tweaking the EQ settings. Other than that, this is one stream that I’m sure you’re bound to enjoy, especially as you find yourself turning the volume up for this is not reproduced with fatiguing brick walling in mind but a dynamic range that harks back to the pre-loudness wars.
Dancing With Myself is the perfect opener for Kiss Me Deadly. While not hardcore punk, per se, Dancing With Myself would go on to become one of Gen X's most recognisable hits. Its driving rhythm and catchy hooks encapsulate the energy and youthful exuberance that defined punk rock.
Billy Idol would remix Dancing By Myself in 1981 for his solo EP release Don’t Stop. While it was still billed as a Gen X tune, I can’t pick my preferred mix for both are thoroughly enjoyable with Idol’s remix being more radio-friendly.
Untouchables shifts the musical direction somewhat as the tempo is reduced. Interestingly, the sonic quality of this particular recording is considerably different to Dancing With Myself. While I’m not sure if that was intentional or an element of the mix and mastering process, the more mellow approach makes Untouchables a thoroughly enjoyable tune as it is far from fatiguing to listen to.
Similar to Dancing With Myself, Untouchables was also redone by Idol for his debut EP, but in this case, I most definitely prefer the original Gen X recording for it’s simply a better rocker and isn’t overproduced.
Happy People has eclectic musical elements that are to die for and that driving bass track is heavenly. It’s a fantastic song; one of their best!
Heaven’s Inside is a great tune that flows perfectly from Happy People. While it isn’t necessarily going to be everyone’s favourite, I find myself captivated by the guitar work for its unassuming, yet it becomes my most appreciated element of this song.
Triumph is a captivating and emotionally charged composition that reminds listeners of the diversity Gen X was aiming for as the new wave elements are present, but more importantly, Triumph is arguably the greatest example of post-punk on the album.
Revenge is so relaxing. Such an emotional response may seem out of place when looking at the album as a whole, but it just goes to show that musical skill can go beyond one’s core genre for Revenge is a beautiful tune.
Stars Look Down has a killer rhythm and while it’s a rather nondescript album tune, Kiss Me Deadly wouldn’t be the same without it. The only criticism I have is related to the chorus for it’s got that coming-of-age teen-styled film soundtrack element that we all once loved but now loathe as we’ve matured. Nevertheless, it’s still a good song.
What Do You Want is Punk 101, what’s not to like?
Poison is one of my favourite songs from Kiss Me Deadly as the pulsating bassline, catchy hooks, and infectious chorus create an irresistible edginess. Idol's snarling vocals are of particular note here, for his raw emotion ensures Poison won’t be easily forgotten.
Oh Mother is, as Dancing With Myself was, a perfect bookend for the record. It encourages me to play the album again as well as turning my attention to other recordings from Gen X and Billy Idol.
Kiss Me Deadly is a cohesive album that embodies the spirit of its time. Gen X successfully blended punk and new wave elements, creating a sound that resonated with fans of both genres. The album's strength lies in its ability to balance aggression with melody, providing listeners with an accessible entry point into punk rock without compromising its rebellious nature.
Ultimately, Kiss Me Deadly remains a testament to the musical prowess of Gen X. With Billy Idol's distinctive vocals and the band's knack for crafting infectious melodies, Gen X solidified their place in music history with this release; an album that is most certainly one of the very best releases from 1981.