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.

From Amazon:
The road will make you or break you. To survive it, you need to be as tough as asphalt and move fast enough to make the competition eat dust. Throughout 2022, Alice collaborated closely with the members of his touring band as well as long-time producer Bob Ezrin, putting together what would become his brand-new studio album “Road.” You can feel the energy and lightness that the band brings with every riff and hear the story behind what inspired them. Bringing everything full circle, it channels the spirit of old-school Alice with instantly recognizable grit and plenty of gusto. It’s everything you’d hope for from him and more. And this time, his trusted longtime bandmates— Ryan Roxie [guitar], Chuck Garric [bass], Tommy Henrikson [guitar], Glen Sobel [drums], and Nita Strauss [guitar]—are riding shotgun. Kane Roberts (a touring and recording collaborator with Alice’s in years past who briefly rejoined Cooper on the road in 2022) makes a special guest appearance, contributing the raucous and rip-roaring “Dead Don’t Dance.” Other special contributors to the album include Rage Against The Machine’s, Tom Morello, who co-wrote and plays and sings backing vocals on “White Line Frankenstein,” and Buckcherry’s Keith Nelson and MC5’s Wayne Kramer, who also co-wrote new songs with Alice.

“For Road, I wanted the band to be involved in the foundation of all the songs. I only see these guys when we’re on the road. So, I wanted them to be as tight as they are for the show but on all new material. When you have a band this good, I believe in showing it off, and this is my way of doing so.” – Alice Cooper

Needless to say, the anticipation surrounding this LP is intense. The current lineup is arguably the best group of musicians Alice has ever assembled. Seriously, they are impeccable. Each brings their own unique vibe and skillset to the table; it’s truly a masterpiece watching them perform.

“I’m Alice,” the first track from the album, was released last Wednesday, June 14th. All we can say is, “Wow…just Wow!” This song leaves the listener thirsty for more and anticipating the release of the Road LP. It is the perfect teaser.

Maybe you’ve seen Alice dozens of times; this song is a recap of everything you’ve ever experienced. Perhaps you’ve never seen him; then here’s your introduction.

They Hang Me From The Gallows, And They Chop Off My Head
But Like Lazarus Rising, I Come Back From The Dead
The Shameless Pretenders Have Come, And They’ve Gone
But I Stand Here Before You, And The Legend Lives On!… Ooh
It’s A Myth, Wrapped In Glory, That They Don’t Understand… Ooh
The Fabulous Story Of Who I Really Am

I’m Alice – The Master Of Madness, The Father Of Fright
I’m Alice – I’m Yours Forever, But You’re Mine Tonight…Oh Yeah

For A Slice Of Heaven In This Living Hell
Come And Be With The Me That You Know So Well
For A Slice Of Heaven In This Living Hell
Come And Be With The Me That You Know So Well

I Accept Your Adoration
And I Revel In Your Fear
But It’s Your Imagination
That Has Brought You Here
So, Here’s The Revelation
And Let Me Make It Clear
That I Am Your Creation
And Now…I Disappear

There are some key lines in this song. Alice is giving us a full view of “the fabulous story of who (he) really (is),” and it’s brilliant; unbelievable to many.

Coop perfectly lays it all out. Like Lazarus (John 11:38-44), he has been raised to new life by, in, and through Christ. Those who have imitated him have come and gone, yet he remains stronger than ever. The significance of Alice’s Faith highlights much of his story, something many may never understand.

However, perhaps the most telling lines in the song refer to the creation of Alice. It’s the perception and imagination of others that define the character. Fans, critics, parents, teens, etc., have decided who Alice is for years.

But while the myth and the legend appear on stage, when the curtains go down, a man wrapped in Glory is what remains – a man transformed by the Love of his Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).

What does that transformation look like?

“As Believers, our identity is:

• • A child of God (Galatians 3:26).
  • A person of worth (Psalm 139:14).
  • An ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Our job, though defining us in some ways, should be an extension of who we are and reveal to Whom we belong.” – Sheryl Cooper

What profound truth from Sheryl. As Believers, His Word defines us. Whoever we were before no longer remains. We instead look outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. We delight in Him and His Will, guided by the Holy Spirit in our lives anew.

Interestingly enough, this blog and posts shared in various social media groups have been met with a certain amount of scrutiny. There’s this notion that Alice is somehow not who he claims to be. To that inquiry, we ask, “Why?”

Why are people so bothered by who other people are? Why do the actions of others baffle so many? Why can’t God use a man that plays the role of a villain to point others toward good, not evil? Why do others assume wickedness just because they can’t understand the message (or worse yet, haven’t tried)?

The list of “whys” is exhaustive. Why people do what they do isn’t always evident. We are only responsible for ourselves and our “why.” Why do we do what we do? What motivates us – is it man, or is it God?

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” – Proverbs 29:25

The book of Proverbs sheds light on so many life lessons. It’s a magnificent read and filled with so much insight and wisdom. The above-listed verse prompts us to take a deeper dive into its meaning.

What is a snare? How does it relate to the “fear of man?”

snare /sner/
noun

1. 1. A trapping device, often consisting of a noose (how Alice-like), used for capturing birds and small mammals.
   2. Something that lures or entangles the unwary.

Snares are used to lure or capture prey. Hunters and trappers use various forms. From a spiritual standpoint, the enemy uses snares (often lies and confusion) to trap humanity in fear.

Fear comes in many forms. Concerning faith, fear of a physical nature may only seem relevant if one resides in a nation where practicing faith is a punishable offense. However, the psychological fear of man regarding our beliefs and devotion, well, that’s a different story.

Society often drives us to people-please, compromise our values, succumb to peer pressure, and deny our faith. Yet, we are called to obey the Holy Spirit (John 10:27).  How often do we allow others to influence our decisions instead?

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? – Romans 8:31-35

Reread the above-listed verses. If God, the Creator of the universe, is for us, then who can be against us? Is there anyone else that matters?

We have been placed on a course, a mission, a journey. That course is directed by God, not the fear of man. For that reason, we must be bold in our faith. Willing to stand and declare Him as Lord over our lives. Not as some authoritative ruler, but as our Loving Father – the Creator of all things.

Wrapping up this week’s post, what influences us most – the fear of man or the reverence of God? Are we willing to declare Him as Lord and allow Him to lead, or do we capitulate to the world?

Freewill offers us the opportunity to decide – we get to choose.

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. – John 17:13-19

Once we’ve chosen Him, we remain in the world. However, we are no longer of the world. As a new creation, our paths are redirected. Are we unwavering in our faith (and who we’ve become), or do we hide it from the world? Do we allow His Light found within to shine before others?

In Alice’s case, how much simpler (from an earthly standpoint) would it be to silently carry his faith while continuing to be “The World’s Greatest Showman?” Instead, Coop unapologetically declares that his Faith is a part of “who he really is” – a new creation in Christ (Galatians 2:20).

In conclusion, “I’m Alice” is the perfect opening track for the Road LP. Alice is, and forever will be, unapologetic about who he is.

Road, a conceptual album about touring and stories from the Road, promises grit and sincerity. It’s all about showcasing Alice’s band.

“Here’s the deal on this album: No overdubs. Everything has to be done in the studio live because the whole idea of this album is showing off how good this band is live. So when you hear this album, it sounds like a studio album, but it’s actually them playing live in the studio.” – Alice Cooper, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/alice-cooper-road-im-alice/

It will be exciting to see which songs from this LP make the set list on tour. In the meantime, we anticipate its arrival. The Road LP will be released on August 25, 2023, and can be pre-purchased here.

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

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