Dead Flies (Paranormal, 2017)

Paranormal is the 20th solo studio LP recorded by Alice Cooper. Released in July 2017, the album features many musicians and artists, including original Alice Cooper band members Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway, and Michael Bruce.

The album “accidentally” became a concept piece, with every single song having a character with abnormal or paranormal issues to deal with or resolve. Musically, the LP is pure Hard Rock, in many ways, paying homage to the 70s.

“Dead Flies” was “Generation Landslide” part two. “Generation Landslide” was one of those songs that lyrically were one of the best lyrics I’d ever done. It portrayed what was going on in the world right then. Well, now, forty-five years later, what’s going on? I got to rant a little bit on false prophets, you know, cults, the idea that your phone knows more about you than your parents. That’s an interesting point of view.” – Alice Cooper

“Dead Flies” is only two minutes and twenty-two seconds long but packs a HUGE punch. As mentioned above, Alice refers to the song as a complement to “Generation Landslide” from the Billion Dollar Babies (1973) album.

The song addresses the gap between generations and the issues faced today. Many of the same problems, such as sex and drugs, are still concerns in the 21^st century, yet with a technological slant combined with the classic lies that continue to mislead humanity.

Have you ever watched a fly die – blindly spiraling out of control? A lifeless insect sputtering slower and slower until zombified – dead and cold. Are we not the same? How dull and mundane have we become as a society?

Not physically – everyone seems to be going nonstop. But mentally, we are very much dead or dying. We believe almost everything that our phones and the internet tell us – trusting those things more than our families, our friends, our conscience, and our faith.

Please watch your step, dear; the world is out to beat you
Don’t you know there’s cannibals designed to kill and eat you
Your sisters high on angel dust, and so’s your porno brother
And your phone knows more about you then your daddy or your mother
They’ll drive you to the edge where they’ll leave you to die
Infected by the venom of their vicious viral lies
It’s all lies
We’re dead flies

Priests and Pariahs, disguised as holy guru
Practicing their mantra of some cybernetic voodoo
And there’s always some messiah preaching mass disaster
Claiming that their Jesus or illuminati matters
And they’ll drive you to the edge where they’ll leave you to die
Infected by the venom of their vicious viral lies
It’s all lies
We’re dead flies
It’s all lies
We’re dead flies

It seems a news report, a tweet, an article, or a like (or dislike) is enough to send us and society into a frenzy or love affair with everything from furry animals, political rants, the latest/greatest products, and Lord only knows what else. There was a time when we talked to one another. We listened. We learned. We interacted with one another.

What has happened to us? Today, we live in a world where our internet history and the apps on our phones define who and what we are. This song does a great job asking the questions: where are we, how did we get here, and what will we do about it?

Let’s look at this song from a few different perspectives. Those being: 1) Connection, 2) Acceptance, and 3) Truth.

Connection.
It’s been said that every human heart is burdened with an unexplainable void – an unquenchable thirst. We long for more. An interaction or relationship with someone or something that goes deeper. A plug for that God-shaped hole.

Filling that void, which defines our very being, is a daunting task. It often finds many using drugs, alcohol, sex, or other means of connection to try fulfilling that need, but such things can’t fill the void. Fulfillment comes from a much higher place.

It’s what links creation to its Creator. A painting to the painter. A poem to the poet. A sonnet to the composer and so on. The Bible holds more than 49 verses about the divine connection between our Creator and us.

“16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. 18 Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” – Colossians 2:16-23

The above-listed verses kill two birds with one stone. These verses point out humanity’s desire (and need) to be connected to the Father while also warning believers to be aware of ‘sinful minds’ – minds that focus on the things of this world.

Many of these ‘sinful minds’ are false teachers creating self-made religions (some even using the name of Christ) that deny God’s true nature. These self-made religions and philosophies focus on earthly ways to try filling the ‘void’ (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Be mindful, question all teachings, and don’t assume all principles are legit. Although we have been given Freedom through Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17), we must still be mindful of the things we learn and the company we keep. Look for Biblically-based ones and adhere to those.

Acceptance.
We are motivated by the acceptance of others. However, isn’t such an incentive futile? Some temporary fulfillment may indeed be found in such acts, yet being wholly satisfied by them is pure foolishness.

We must not fall for the trap. The acceptance we crave has already been fulfilled. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, has given us the invitation to live fully through Him. We need only ask and receive it.

It’s easier said than done. Most of us spend life struggling with the tendency to seek approval and acceptance from others. Learning to understand that receiving Christ fulfills us may very well take a lifetime, but it is where true contentment is found.

“5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” – Ephesians 1:5-8

As you can see from the above-listed verses, it begins with Grace. His mercy and grace have shown us favor. But His acceptance calls and leads us also to be accepting of others as well.

As difficult as this may be, we are called to refrain from judgment (Romans 14:10-13), to show respect (Romans 14:14-19), love others (1 Peter 3:8), and forgive anyone that wrongs us (Colossians 3:12-14).

When we accept Christ, He invites us into the family (Ephesians 1:5). With that acceptance and invitation, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are then humbly placed into a new journey – one where He leads. On this path, we must love others and treat them as Christ would.

Truth.
Much like acceptance and connection, the human condition yearns for Truth. However, the growing importance of respect and recognition seems to have modified what is and isn’t Truth based on the world’s standards.

Have you ever heard a story or “factual evidence” that just seemed unbelievable? There’s a particular mechanism within us that seeks certainty. We may find fiction entertaining, but the facts are what we desire (even when the truth is tough to bear). We don’t appreciate being fooled or misled.

The Truth of God is found in His Word. And while the evidence of His existence is scientific for some, it’s not as easy for others. This is where Faith enters the equation.

Truth is a tricky thing, especially in this world. It’s tough to know what stories are based on facts instead of skewed opinions. Even photos and videos are often doctored to fool and deceive readers and viewers. However, God’s Word has surpassed the test of time.

“13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago He promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.” – Ephesians 1:13-14

His Word leads to the salvation of men and women. By applying faith and knowing Him, numerous lives have been transformed by adhering to His Word.

Life’s true meaning and purpose are found within His Word and are placed within our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We must continually work towards knowing the actuality of this world (2 Timothy 2:15).

We must work towards letting go of this world’s fleeting passions. Instead, embracing good, Godly lives – lives filled with the Truth of His Word.

Wrapping up this post, we follow, connect, and like anything or anyone willing to receive our company or attention. We’ve become so enamored with the connection and acceptance of others that we are eager to overlook the truth.

Lies have truly converted the mass populous into “Dead Flies.” Many of us have become mindless drones led by the illumination of our Androids & Apples, tiny pills & meaningless thrills, and the empty promises of false prosperity.

However, the eternal Truth of Salvation – the exact source for connection and acceptance – has not changed. It is still as freely attainable and available as it has ever been.

If you have not reached out for Him, there’s no day better than the present. If you have already done so but have become consumed by the things of this world, recommit your life. Place Him back at the forefront. And for those walking with Him, help those around you see His Light shining within you – helping them instead to focus on His Word. To focus on His acceptance. To connect with Him and His Truth.

“Holy Spirit, we ask that you intervene when we feel unaccepted and disconnected. We ask that you would separate us from the lies of the enemy. Replace those lies with your Truth. Your Will. Your ways. Shine Light on our lives and our paths. May that Light permeate outwards onto every person that encounters our presence. May they meet you through our actions and our walk. May they come to know you as we do. Our Light. Our Hope. Our Way. The Truth. AMEN.”

In conclusion, it’s fascinating to follow and learn more about the Alice Cooper journey. We’ve often discussed his ability to remain relevant, even during the years when the music scene didn’t quite match the original Alice Cooper sound and flair.

However, Alice has managed to find ways to pay homage to the original concept and sound of Alice Cooper. Paranormal is a prime example of that.

The LP combines the expertise of Bob Ezrin, Tommy Denander, and Tommy Henriksen while offering long-time Alice fans a chance to see and hear The Coop, Dunaway, Bruce, and Smith reunite in the studio.

That’s it for this week, Be Well and Catch you Next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!