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”.
Holy Water (Paranormal, 2017)
This week we look at “Holy Water.” 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…
Stand (Dirty Diamonds, 2005)
This week we revisit the “Dirty Diamonds” album released in 2005. Focusing on the bonus track, “Stand”, we find Alice teaming up with a unique artist. The song mixes the growling tones of Alice’s voice with his first-ever hip-hop collaboration. The actor/rapper, Xzibit, is the featured performer in the song and oddly enough, the pair masterfully mix together to create…
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…
He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask) (Constrictor, 1986)
“He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)” is the final track on the “Constrictor (1986)” LP. Alice’s ninth solo studio album is driven by a much more aggressive tone. He notes that at this point in his career this album was the original Nightmare character – only more belligerent, more confrontational.
Hawaii Fire Relief – The Tevaga Family (Alice & Sheryl Cooper)
Alice & Sheryl Cooper have considered Hawaii their home away from home for many years. They vacation there, unwind there and prepare for future LPs and shows there. In fact, as of August 2022, they also own property there. Hawaii holds a very dear, special place in their hearts.
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.
The Song That Didn’t Rhyme (The Eyes of Alice Cooper, 2003)
Didn’t expect to revisit ‘The Eyes of Alice Cooper ‘album so soon, but it seems fitting after this past week’s media circus. This post focuses on a humorous track entitled “The Song That Didn’t Rhyme”. A song, unlike its title, which is actually pretty catchy and has found its way on my playlist from time to time. Alice admits, “it’s just one of those songs that was a joke…
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+…
Poison (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.
School’s Out: A Rockstar Conversation (Alice & Sheryl Interview, 2018)
This week we take a look at another Alice & Sheryl Cooper Rockstar interview. In late 2018, they were featured in a Q&A session with Joe Polish’s Genius Network. The discussion is close to an hour in length and well worth the watch. Many of the topics Alice and Sheryl discuss are known about them. However, Polish does a great job allowing them to expound and give more details…
Freedom (Raise Your Fist and Yell, 1987)
Revisiting ‘Raise Your Fist and Yell’, we look at “Freedom” this week. A song written in protest of the PMRC (Parent’s Music Resource Center), an organization designed to oversee and promote parental control over music it deemed violent, drug-related, or sexual in nature. The bipartisan Washington D.C.-based group, co-founded by the “Washington Wives”, sought to…
Hey Stoopid (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. “When I listen to Guns N’ Roses or Skid Row or Jane’s Addiction, I hear…
I’m Alice (Road, 2023)
Road, Alice Cooper’s 22nd solo LP, is scheduled to be released on August 25, 2023, and will feature Cooper’s touring band – a solid group of musicians who, collectively, have been with him for nearly a decade.
I’m Always Chasing Rainbows (Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, 1976)
This week we once again travel back to 1976. Revisiting ‘Alice Cooper Goes To Hell,’ we find ‘I’m Always Chasing Rainbows’ as the second to last track on the LP. The song is filled with history and is not any ordinary one covered by Alice…
Cold Machines (Brutal Planet, 2000)
This week’s post focuses on another track from the ‘Brutal Planet (2000)’ LP. ‘Cold Machines’ lines up perfectly with humanity and, believe it or not, the current state of the Body of Christ. Keep in mind this track was written before the age of smartphones. Before those glowing rectangles controlled us. Before we all walked around with our hands…
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…”
School’s Out/Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2 (Hollywood Vampires, 2015)
In 2015, Alice Cooper teamed up with a plethora of other artists, including Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Kip Winger (Winger), and many others, to record Hollywood Vampires, an LP devoted to songs and classic artists that have passed away. “School’s Out/Another Brick In The Wall Pt.2” features a star-studded roster…
Second Coming (Love It To Death, 1971)
This week’s post focuses on “Second Coming” from ‘Love It To Death’, the third studio album, was released in 1971. At this point, Alice Cooper was still a band and this album saw their first dose of commercial success. The band enlisted Bob Ezrin to produce the album and the album’s success earned them favor with Warner Bros…
The Sound of A (Paranormal, 2017)
‘The Sound of A’, a tale of ‘meaningless noise, from the Paranormal LP is our next focus. A creepy song influenced heavily by the psychedelic movement in the late 60s – the story that comes with this song is fascinating. Dennis Dunaway, original bass player for the Alice Cooper band, brought the song into the mix for the Paranormal album. The song is reported to be the very first song…
Nothing’s Free (The Last Temptation, 1994)
This week we again re-visit ‘The Last Temptation’ with the song “Nothing’s Free”. An LP which is full of insight and direction of Biblical proportion. Alice admits, “It’s a very strong concept album, a real morality play.” The album does a great job bridging the gap between generations of Alice fans as well. It’s a well-received record and a fan favorite. On that album there are songs about choice, virtue…
I Love The Dead (Billion Dollar Babies, 1973)
Released on February 25th, 1973, Billion Dollar Babies was the Alice Cooper band’s 6th studio album. Overall, the record is very tongue-in-cheek – a dark comedy of sorts. Songs like “I Love The Dead,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “Sick Things,” “Elected,” “Generation Landslide,” and the title track either poke fun at or call attention to the ironic, darker truths of reality. Cautionary…
I Hate You (Detroit Stories, 2021)
Detroit Stories, released in 2021, is a hard-hitting Detroit-based LP. “I Hate You” is an ambitious song about the original band’s quirks and dysfunction – the unspoken annoyances that friendships and relationships endure…
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.”
Just For Fun! – The Top 10 Covers of Alice Cooper Songs
This week’s post is a Top Ten list of what we believe to be some of the best covers of Alice’s music recorded. Of course, lists like this are always met with scrutiny – we don’t expect everyone to agree. However, many of the covers we found are incredibly diverse and exciting.
Gone Fishing! (Spring Break 2023)
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
Steven (Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)
Welcome To My Nightmare, released in 1975, was Coop’s first solo LP. The fourth track on side two of the LP is “Steven.” From the silence, an array of soft, bright notes is played and plucked from the piano and an ensemble of strings. Although dream-like and surreal, the introduction has an eerie vibe – like a horror film’s score or musical theme…
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…
Who I Really Am: Diary of a Vampire (by Alice Cooper, 2021)
Rock and roll in the BC (Before Cooper) era was a tamer, milder world. In Who I Really Am, we learn how the boa-wearing (not the feathered kind) maestro arrived at a show and sound – let’s call it AC for After Cooper – that has entertained millions of kids while terrifying parents in equal measure…
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…
The Quiet Room (From The Inside, 1978)
‘From The Inside’ was released in 1978. An expressive, autobiographical album which delivers tales and songs recounting Cooper’s stay in a rehabilitation center to help cure his alcohol addiction. “The Quiet Room” is a heart-wrenching song about isolation and emotions – in this case, some very dark ones. Interestingly enough, it may or may not have been evident to others…
Official Alice Cooper Sites:
