This Week's Post:
Fridays With Alice... ARCHIVE
Posts from The Past“Fridays with Alice” is a blog that looks at God’s Word from a fresh, new perspective. It is a scripture-based endeavor. One that will take the songs and interviews of Alice Cooper and apply them to what God says about who we are in Him and who He wants us to be. We celebrate in knowing Alice as a Brother in Christ and are excited to share with you this project called, “Fridays with Alice… The Gospel according to Alice Cooper”.
Hurricane Years (Hey Stoopid, 1991)
This week’s post focuses on the title track from the Hey Stoopid album, released in 1991. This LP redirected Alice’s focus back to a heavier sound – a more ‘Alice’ feel and vibe. He admitted that he felt good about this album and the direction music was heading at that time. “Hurricane Years,” the eighth track on this album…
Generation Landslide (Billion Dollar Babies, 1973)
‘Billion Dollar Babies’, the sixth studio album, was released in 1973. This week’s focus is the song “Generation Landslide.” Alice Cooper, still a band, found major success with this album hitting #1 on the album charts in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Bob Ezrin was once again hired to produce the record and was also used for some of the keyboard tracks on the album as well…
Guilty (Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, 1976)
Alice’s 2nd solo album, ‘Alice Cooper Goes To Hell’, was released in 1976. A concept album much like ‘Welcome to My Nightmare’, this record is a continuation of Steven’s story. ‘Alice Cooper Goes To Hell’ is considered ‘A Bedtime Story’. “Guilty” is a hard-hitting Rock anthem…
Fantasy Man (Dragontown, 2001)
Dragontown, Alice’s 22nd studio album, was released in 2001. It’s a continuation of the themes found on the previous LP, Brutal Planet – a Brutal Planet part two, so to speak. According to Alice, “Dragontown describes the worst town on Brutal Planet.” This week, we look at “Fantasy Man.”
Killer (Killer, 1971)
Released in late 1971, “Killer” is the Alice Cooper band’s fourth studio album. Reaching #21 on the Billboard 200, the record continued to propel the group forward into the limelight of the music industry. With songs like “Under My Wheels,” “Be My Lover,” “Desperado,” “Halo of Flies,” and “Dead Babies,” the LP dishes up classics which are still often performed some 45+…
Run Down The Devil (Dirty Diamonds, 2005)
Alice’s 17th solo studio LP is Dirty Diamonds. Over the years, Alice has put together many different bands and created classic after classic. However, his current band may be the best he’s ever assembled. This week’s song, “Run Down The Devil,” is a straightforward track about…
Hallowed Be My Name (Love It To Death, 1971)
The Love It To Death LP introduced the music industry to the signature sounds of Alice Cooper. With the help of Bob Ezrin, the band further discovered themselves and their style. This week we look at “Hallowed Be My Name”…
I Better Be Good (Zipper Catches Skin, 1982)
“I Better Be Good,” from “Zipper Catches Skin” released in 1982. The LP, Alice Cooper’s seventh solo studio album, was co-produced by Erik Scott, Alice’s bass player, and fellow songwriter. Scott admitted that this album “was meant to be lean, stripped-down, and low on frills. Punkish and bratty…”
Just For Fun! – Ranking Alice LPs (1969-2021)
I must admit, some time away is nice, but with all this March Madness in the air (and Alice Cooper brackets in so many groups discussing which songs are the best), it only seems fitting that we have a little fun. Let’s rank the Alice albums.
There are TONS of sites, posts, and discussions about which Alice albums are the best and which ones aren’t. However, that’s not really what this is about; we see the ENTIRE catalog as noteworthy and full of inspiration. But just like any other piece of art, some speak louder to some individuals more than others.
Gone Fishing! (Spring Break 2021)
Gone Fishing! “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Hanging On By A Thread (Don’t Give Up) (Detriot Stories, 2021)
Detroit Stories is Alice’s 21st solo album. It was released last month on February 26th, and it currently holds the #1 slot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart. Inspired by Alice’s hometown, Detroit, MI, the record pays homage to “the birthplace of angry hard rock,” as the Coop defines it. “Hanging On By A Thread (Don’t Give Up)” is an uplifting tune about persistence and perseverance.
Caught In A Dream (Love It To Death, 1971)
Next week marks the 50th anniversary of the Love It To Death LP, released March 9, 1971. Typically, “Fridays With Alice” doesn’t pay much attention to dates or album anniversaries, but without this record, one could argue that Alice Cooper would have never reached the next level. The first track on the album is “Caught In A Dream”…
Dead Flies (Paranormal, 2017)
This week we look at “Dead Flies.” Released in July of 2017, Paranormal is the 27th studio album by Alice Cooper. The album features three songs performed by the ‘classic’ line-up (Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway, and Michael Bruce). The album also features Alice hooking up with various other musicians such as Larry Mullen, Jr. (U2), Roger Glover…
It’s The Little Things (Brutal Planet, 2000)
This week we discuss “It’s The Little Things” from the Brutal Planet LP. The album takes a dark, somewhat sarcastic approach to raw, thought-provoking topics such as racism, terrorism, gluttony, greed, abuse, and the fall of humanity. Each track throws the listener deeper and deeper into the dimmer side of humanity. What’s most interesting is the timing…
Crazy Little Child (Muscle of Love, 1973)
“Muscle of Love,” released on November 20, 1973, was the last album recorded by the Alice Cooper Group (ACG). An album stripped of theatrical flair – it returned to the basics of Rock & Roll. Receiving mixed reviews, it managed to hit #10 on the U.S. charts. This week’s song, Crazy Little Child, is a traditional jazz piece complete with piano, banjo, and horns/woodwinds instruments…
Why Trust You (Trash, 1989)
The Trash LP was released in 1989. With this record, Alice returns to the prominence linked to the albums of yesteryear. The album is birthed to life with the opening track, “Poison,” which quickly becomes the most prominent hit since “School’s Out” reaching #7 in the U.S. and #2 in the UK. “Why Trust You” is this week’s focus and another hard-hitting song off the LP.
I Am The Future (Zipper Catches Skin, 1982)
“I Am The Future,” the 3rd track found on “Zipper Catches Skin” released in 1982. The LP, Alice Cooper’s seventh solo studio album, was co-produced by Erik Scott, Alice’s bass player, and fellow songwriter. Scott admitted that this album “was meant to be lean, stripped-down, and low on frills. Punkish and bratty…”
Prince of Darkness (Raise Your Fist and Yell, 1987)
‘Raise Your Fist and Yell’ was released in 1987. The second album after Alice’s commitment to sobriety and a return to his faith finds him healthy, revitalized, and confident. The album uses songs like “Prince of Darkness,” “Freedom”, “Lock Me Up”, and “Give the Radio Back” to help push back against the PMRC’s efforts. However, the last few tracks take a more wicked turn with “Prince of Darkness”, “Time To Kill”, “Chop, Chop, Chop”, and “Gail”. Tapping in to who the enemy is and personification of evil in this world.
Lay Down and Die, Goodbye (Easy Action, 1970)
“Lay Down and Die, Goodbye” from the Easy Action LP was released in 1970. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor Pretties For You – it still displays experimental doses of psychedelic breakout and fanfare. However, it is definitely a much different album. In fact, we find glimpses of who the band would soon become in songs like…
I Just Wanna Be God (Dragontown, 2001)
Dragontown, Alice’s 22nd studio album, was released in 2001. It’s a continuation of the themes found on the previous LP, Brutal Planet – a Brutal Planet part two, so to speak. According to Alice, “Dragontown describes the worst town on Brutal Planet.” This week, we look at “I Just Wanna Be God.”
The Congregation (Welcome 2 My Nightmare, 2011)
This week we revisit the Welcome 2 My Nightmare (W2MN) LP, released in 2011. The album is a continuation of Steven’s dreams and nightmares found on the original Welcome to My Nightmare LP, and it is also related to Alice Cooper Goes To Hell as well. W2MN is a combination of those albums, but these nightmares are different. “The Congregation” and these songs are the things that would haunt Alice today, not the Alice of the 70s…
Rock In Rio Video (Starkey Hearing Foundation), 2015
For the final post of 2020, we look at a quick video from 2015 and some photos from 2017. Alice, Sheryl, his band, and The Hollywood Vampires have spent time giving back, donating their time and hundreds of hearing aids through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. William F. Austin, founder, principal owner, and chairman of Starkey Hearing Technologies…
Our Love Can Change The World (Detroit Stories, 2021)
Alice’s 21st solo album, “Detroit Stories,” will be released on February 26, 2021. Inspired by Alice’s hometown, Detroit, MI, the album pays homage to “the birthplace of angry hard rock,” as the Coop defines it.
Interestingly enough, “Our Love Will Change The World” fits perfectly into this week’s narrative, especially following last week’s “Dyslexia” post.
Dyslexia (DaDa, 1983)
Alice’s 8th solo album, “DaDa,” was released in 1983. The last of four albums referred to as the “blackout” albums – it winds up being his final album for Warner Bros. Records. Interestingly enough, Alice doesn’t remember much about the writing process. “Dyslexia,” the fifth track on the album, is a witty tune dedicated to the side effects one in love might experience – that upside-down, inside-out emotional response a person head over hills in love may encounter. It’s a charming song.
Only Women Bleed (Welcome to My Nightmare, 1975)
This week’s focus is “Only Women Bleed” from the ‘Welcome to My Nightmare‘ album which was released in 1975, and was the first solo album released by Alice Cooper (all previous works were band efforts). Like many of Cooper’s solo works, ‘Nightmare’ is a concept album. The album is the first time we are introduced to one of Alice’s notorious…
Going Home (Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, 1976)
This week we once again travel back to 1976. Revisiting ‘Alice Cooper Goes To Hell,’ we find ‘Going Home’ as the final track on the LP. The song is beautifully written and offers a peaceful ending to the nightmarish ordeals that precede it. The listener finds Steven, the beloved character of many Alice albums, back in his room – happy to be home even amongst his ‘dirty…
The World Belongs to Satan (1990s)
This interview, entitled “The World Belongs To Satan,” is posted on DeonVSEarth’s YouTube channel. However, not sure exactly who the interviewee is or when it occurred. It seems like it may have taken place in the mid-90s – maybe 95 or 96. There’s also a LCIINC watermark at the bottom left. NOTE: *If anyone knows anything about the origins of the interview, we’d be happy to document that…
I Never Wrote Those Songs (Lace & Whiskey, 1977)
This week we revisit ‘Lace and Whiskey’ the album released in 1977. Last time we looked at this album, the song ‘My God’ was highlighted and discussed. This week we will be talking about ‘I Never Wrote Those Songs’. A song that deals with the shame, guilt, and denial that often accompanies past events or regretted actions. We will be using this post to…
Cleansed by Fire (The Last Temptation, 1994)
“The Last Temptation” is a concept album that deals with the life of a teenager named Steven, one of Cooper’s infamous characters, and “Cleansed by Fire” is the final track on the LP. Steven is shown what the world has to offer – power, money, women, freedom, etc. – by a mysterious character known as the showman. As the album unfolds track after track, it becomes evident the…
Spirits Rebellious (The Eyes of Alice Cooper, 2003)
‘The Eyes of Alice Cooper‘ was released in 2003. A little known masterpiece that really embraces a return to Alice’s musical roots. In fact, when the term little known is used it’s meant literally – there’s not a whole lot of information about this album and it’s only listed and available from a small number of sources and sites. This week’s focus is “Spirits Rebellious.”
Official Alice Cooper Sites:
