Perfect (Dirty Diamonds, 2005)

Dirty Diamonds is the 17th Alice Cooper solo studio album and was released in 2005. The LP is a continuation of Alice’s return to “old-school” sound and production, much like the tracks found on the previous record, The Eyes of Alice Cooper.

Dirty Diamonds is a hat tip to garage bands and the raw power of Rock. The LP is ”eccentric” and “eclectic,” according to Alice, and every song on the record could be a single.

“It’s called Dirty Diamonds because that’s what they are. All of them are little gems that have been left unpolished. If Bob Ezrin was going to produce this album, we would have been in the studio for three months, and we would have really been working hard on each section of each bit, and it would’ve been a different album. It would have sounded like Billion Dollar Babies or School’s Out or something like that.” – Alice Cooper

Instead, the album finds each song telling its own story – its own narrative. Alice and the other songwriters on this record were willing and committed to allowing the songs write themselves. Each song took on its own persona in the process.

“Perfect,” the second track on the album, tells the story of a man and his significant other. As the track spins, we learn that the object of his affection is a bit of a klutz. In fact, she’s an uncoordinated, tone-deaf accident waiting to happen, yet he loves her all the same – to him, she’s “Perfect.”

She’s an overnight sensation in the mirror on her wall
She gets a standing ovation at every shower curtain call
And she becomes a pop star in the safety of her car
and then she falls to pieces at the karaoke bar

She’s so perfect
She’s so fine
She’s so wonderful
In the arena of her mind

She’s not perfect
She’s all mine
She can’t sing or dance
She ain’t got a chance
But baby… I don’t mind…

It’s a witty number, but there’s so much truth within the lines of the song. It’s often been said, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It’s subjective. What one person finds appealing another may not – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure – that sort of thing.

In today’s world, the word “love” is used eagerly and effortlessly; it seems. We casually use the term to describe the things we like: our cars, phones, food, devices, and other everyday things. However, when talking about people, the word carries more weight.

But stop and give that one some thought as well. Can love diminish? Our love for one another is often more conditional than not. Disappointment, distance, death, and many other reasons can (in some cases) even diminish the “love” we hold for one another.

While the love shown from the man to his woman in the song is a genuine display of admiration and affection, true love comes from a much more divine authority. For one to honestly know love, they must first know God – “we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).” The world knows no such love apart from Him.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

We are inseparable from His Love – NOTHING can keep us from Him. With our declaration of faith and belief comes justification through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Through this, we are made “Perfect” – new creations in Him and His Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Wrapping this up, the song’s narrative is simple and sweet. It not only serves as a reminder for the “Love” we share with our spouse or soulmate, but it’s an even better description of God’s Love for each of us. Our imperfections are forgiven, and we are made new through His “Perfect” Love.

He intercedes on our behalf despite what we see in the mirror, how horrible we sing, or how uncoordinated we are. His Love “covers a multitude of sins” and teaches us how we should strive to treat one another (1 Peter 4:8).

In conclusion, Dirty Diamonds is the perfect follow-up to The Eyes of Alice Cooper LP. Both records are a no-nonsense return to his roots – what you hear is what you get.

Alice also admits that all the songs on the album carried their own narrative and their own style. “Perfect” became a tribute to both Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

“So, when we started doing this song, and we got to that chorus, “She’s so perfect,” I said we’ve got to go total Lennon/McCartney here. Because that’s what (the song) wants to do. The song really wants to go there.” – Alice Cooper

On a personal note, I love both this album and The Eyes of Alice Cooper. They are honest, to the point, and fun. It doesn’t take much to decipher such straight-forward lyrics and the real-life scenarios they represent. My suggestion – grab these two LPs and let them spin. You won’t be disappointed.

That’s it for this week. We’ll catch you next Friday.

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