Cyberpunk (album)

Cyberpunk
Studio album by
Released29 June 1993
RecordedApril 1992 – January 1993[1]
Studio
  • Billy Idol's home studio (Los Angeles)
  • Ameraycan (Hollywood)
  • Golgotha (Hawaii)
Genre
Length67:23
LabelChrysalis
ProducerRobin Hancock
Billy Idol chronology
Charmed Life
(1990)
Cyberpunk
(1993)
Greatest Hits
(2001)
2006 re-release
The 2006 reissue of Cyberpunk was included in Collectables Records' Priceless Collection series.
Singles from Cyberpunk
  1. "Heroin"
    Released: 4 May 1993
  2. "Shock to the System"
    Released: 8 June 1993
  3. "Adam in Chains"
    Released: September 1993
  4. "Wasteland"
    Released: January 1994

Cyberpunk is the fifth studio album by English rock musician Billy Idol, released on 29 June 1993 by Chrysalis Records. A concept album, it was inspired by his personal interest in technology and his first attempts to use computers in the creation of his music. Idol based the album on the cyberdelic subculture of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Heavily experimental in its style, the album was an attempt to take control of the creative process in the production of his albums, while simultaneously introducing Idol's fans and other musicians to the opportunities presented by digital media.[2]

The album featured a cyberpunk-styled narrative, as well as synthesised vocals and industrial influences. Despite its critical and commercial failure, Billy Idol set several precedents in the process of promoting the album.[3] These included his use of the Internet, e-mail,[I] virtual communities, and multimedia software, each a first for a mainstream celebrity.[4][5] Idol also based his fashion style, music videos, and stage shows on cyberpunk themes and aesthetics.

Released to negative reviews, Cyberpunk polarised internet communities of the time, with detractors viewing it as an act of cooptation and opportunistic commercialisation. It was also seen as part of a process that saw the overuse of the term "cyberpunk" until it lost its original meaning.[6][7] Alternatively, supporters saw Idol's efforts as harmless and well-intentioned, and were encouraged by his new interest in cyberculture.[8][9]

  1. ^ Kristiane Backer (host), Billy Idol (interviewee) (16 June 1993). Bravo TV (Television production) (in German). Munich, Germany: Sat.1.
  2. ^ Gourley, Bob (1993). "Billy Idol". Chaos Control Digizine. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Downes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Saunders, Michael (19 May 1993). "Billy Idol turns 'Cyberpunk' on new CD". The Boston Globe.
  5. ^ Appelo, Tim (9 June 1993). "A Star Is Virtually Reborn". Entertainment Weekly. No. 178. p. 24. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  6. ^ Christgau, Robert (10 August 1993). "Virtual Hep". Village Voice. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  7. ^ alt.cyberpunk: Frequently Asked Questions. project.cyberpunk.ru (2004)
  8. ^ Branwyn, Gareth (1998). "Idol 'ware". Beyond Cyberpunk!. The Computer Lab. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  9. ^ Jillette, Penn (December 1993). "Billy Idol – Learning to Type". PC/Computing. Vol. 6, no. 12. p. 506. Archived from the original on 26 March 2003. Retrieved 12 August 2008.

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