The Lace and Whiskey LP, released in 1977, introduced Alice in a new role. His persona transformed into a private investigator named Maurice Escargot.

Once again, Bob Ezrin and Alice lock arms on the production side of the album, and many of the tracks from the Alice Cooper Goes To Hell and Lace and Whiskey LPs were cut at the same time.

“The funny thing is, if I remember correctly, we recorded the basic tracks of those two albums at the same time. So when I think about them, they sort of smooshed together. We’d do like a couple of weeks on Goes to Hell; then we’d do a couple of weeks on Lace and Whiskey. Not sure why it was done that way, but I just seem to remember that we were doing both of them at the same time.” – Steve Hunter, former guitarist for Alice Cooper

While the two LPs convey different concepts, it’s interesting that both albums end on “prodigal” tones with the tracks “Going Home” and “My God.” While some members of Alice’s fan base and critics find the Lace & Whiskey LP confusing or oddly out of place, we see it as a masterful display of diversity and depth.

​“I Never Wrote Those Songs” is a profound song both philosophically and spiritually. When you peel back the lyrical surface, you find the psyche of someone questioning how they got where they are and denying what they did that got them there (sometimes blaming others).

And oh, that music, I hate those lyrics
It stayed inside me so long
And I swear to you I never wrote that song

These lyrics are unquestionably heartwrenching. Stop and think about a time in your life when you weren’t quite sure why you felt the way you did.

Maybe you were hostile towards family, selfishly living only for yourself, bitterly holding a grudge against a friend/colleague, or drowning out other people around you with substances. The list goes on.

Looking back is not always easy, yet the best way to move forward is by accepting the things you’ve done then moving towards reconciliation and repentance.

​Let’s pull this song apart even further to deal with three specific topics: 1) guilt, 2) shame, and 3) regret. The first thing to know about each is that none of them are from the Lord. They are tools used by the enemy to keep us locked in stagnation – crippled, lost, and separated from the Love of our Lord.

They each have their way of keeping us hindered, though. And the combination of the three can cause significant disruptions in our faith. Here’s the breakdown of each and a few ways to fight them.

​Guilt.
In all HIS majesty, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, wipes away all sin – past, present, and future. We must remember this.

In many ways, guilt is the opposite of grace, and many (especially the enemy) see it as a tool. A way to hold others in contempt – leaving them lost and held captive to their past.

We’ve spoken with many Christians, Pastors, and even non-believers that are left confused about what Christ’s death meant if grace is NOT a primary driving component of our relationship with HIM.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:17

While the world and various parts of religion hold others in scorn, these verses seem reasonably straightforward – with condemnation comes guilt, without condemnation comes freedom.

Romans 8:1 reminds us that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God’s Word has declared that those of us that have accepted Him in our hearts and proclaim Him as Lord are guilt-free.

With that, we don’t take grace lightly. We don’t continually commit serial or meditated sin. We repent and ask for forgiveness when we stumble, resting in the grace of His Love.

Sin and temptations can still hinder our lives even after we’ve claimed the faith, know Christ as Lord, and walk with Him. When and if we stumble, we must seek His forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and realize we are made righteous through Him and His blood (Romans 3:22).

​Shame.
Life is a beautiful gift given to us by our Creator. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) to accomplish HIS will.

“And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” – Genesis 2:25

In the above-listed verse, we find both man and woman unashamed and content with one another, walking with God. However, in Genesis 3, we see the introduction of sin.

The enemy introduced the very notion of sin. With the enemy and sin removed from the narrative, life was and is perfect.

When we allow the enemy to intercede – causing mischief in our lives, that’s when our past starts to sneak up on us. That’s when shame is utilized against us.

It’s easy to listen to those lies about us (and our past) if we aren’t careful. Our faith is founded upon continually seeking Him, not dwelling on what has already taken place.

We must learn to seek Him in times of celebration, times of pain, times of joy, times of sorrow, and in all other seasons of life.

By accepting and embracing Galatians 2:20, we recognize that a transformation has taken place. We have been crucified with Him. We are no longer living as we did, but instead, He is living through us. Our old life is gone, and our new life is recreated in Him.

There’s no shame in who we were. We instead celebrate in who we have become through Him.

Our past lives become a testament to who He is and where He has brought us. The vast difference between how we live today versus how we lived before becomes an indication to others about the nature of Christ and His Spirit.

Regret.
This one holds so many back. Living in a state of regret has no use whatsoever for all humanity, let alone Christians. There’s no changing the events that have taken place in your life, but there is a way to make amends.

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. – Philippians 3:13-15

As you have breath and know Him to be Lord, you will see that He has brought you where you are.

Regret leaves you locked in the past – paralyzed and refusing to run the race. His Glory is found in our present, NOT dwelling in our past. God will use whatever events or obstacles you ‘regret’ as vehicles for His glory.

Romans 8:28 calls all of those that love God to have faith and know that ‘all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.’ If you have accepted Him and know Him as Lord, you have been called according to His purpose.

Have faith and know that what you see as regretful actions the Lord uses to mold you through salvation, delivering you from death (2 Corinthians 7:10). Cling not to despair but rejoice in knowing Him (James 1:17).

​Wrapping this up, it’s time to let go of the lies – the ones used by the enemy. The Lord knows your pains, your hurts, your sorrows. He knows the suffering you’ve overcome and endure.

He wants those lies removed and replaced by His TRUTH. His LOVE. His LIGHT. His MERCY. His GRACE. His SON. On that note, we leave you with this prayer…

‘Lord bless the souls of those reading this post. May they know you are Lord, Creator, Father, Abba. May they bless your Holy Name! You have forgiven our sins – every one. You have healed our sickness – everyone. You redeemed us from the pits of hell – saving our lives. You crown us with your love and mercy – a crown of paradise. You wrap us in your goodness – an eternal splendor. You rejuvenate our lives – making us young in your presence. May we lean on your Word and rest assured in your arms. Amen.” (paraphrasing the prayers prayed in Psalms 103: 2-4).

​When the enemy tries to use these tools, find strength in His Word and shout those lines (from Psalms 103:2-4 or any other prayer) to Him – knowing that He will lift your soul and make you anew through His Wisdom, Grace, and Mercy. Amen.

In conclusion, the Lace and Whiskey LP was a pivotal moment in Alice’s career. Questions about his health, alcohol addiction, and the toll that life on the road was taking on his physical and mental state were presented.

In turn, Alice wound up spending time at the Cornell Medical Center and fought his way through weeks of treatment. According to his wife, Sheryl, a new “sharper, clearer, more energetic version” of him emerged.

Alice had taken a step in the right direction. An action that would prove monumental as time marched on.

That’s it for this week. Catch you next Friday!

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