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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.

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.

As I made this list, I was surprised to find some albums higher on my list than others. It was an endeavor I enjoyed thoroughly. While I’m sure, it will cause controversy for some – maybe others will notice that not everyone sees Alice’s music from the same “mind’s eye.”

The process was pretty simple. I looked at the albums and ranked them according to the number of songs each album had listed in my iTunes playlist. For instance, my playlist had 9-10 tracks from each of the top 5 albums. Therefore, those 5 were the first ones ranked. Then I moved on from there. I hope that makes sense.

Without further ado, here’s the list:

#28

Pretties For You Album Cover

Pretties For You, the Alice Cooper Group (ACG) debut album, was released in 1969. After moving to L.A., they are introduced to Frank Zappa, producer and co-founder of Straight Records. With minimal direction, the band records the album and Zappa uses Edward Beardsley’s painting entitled Pretties for You as the cover art.

The music on the record is loosely compared to the Beatles and is also laced with psychedelic undertones. The finished product is a bizarre composition of highs and lows and fails to produce any hits or memorable tracks.  However, this album (and the next) coupled with the band’s stage antics, will have just enough gravitas to catch the eyes and ears of Warner Bros. executives. This would ultimately lead the group to the next chapter in their history.

Some love it, some hate it. But it is safe to say without this record, there would be NO Alice Cooper.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Reflected, Changing Arranging, Earwigs To Eternity, Levity Ball

#27

Future Money Zipper Catches Skin Cover

Zipper Catches Skin, released in 1982, is Alice Cooper’s seventh solo studio album. The LP 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.”

In the early 80s, the music scene had shifted away from pure Rock ‘n’ Roll to a new wave, pop-induced vibe. Artists like Alice were either forced to conform or take a break from the business, but Alice never stopped…he continued making music. Instead of retreating, he gave his 70s flair and style an 80s update without losing his “no-nonsense” attitude.

“You’re still in this business going, okay, the sound is now moving that way. I’m not going to give up Alice Cooper, but we can make that creepy too. We can turn around and make this sound just as creepy as what I was doing.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Zorro’s Ascent, Make That Money (Scrooge’s Song), I Am The Future, I’m Alive

#26

Songs God Never Lace And Whiskey Cover

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.”

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
My God, You and Me,(No More) Love At Your Convenience, I Never Wrote Those Songs

#25

Prince of Darkness Raise Your Fist And Yell Freedom Cover

Raise Your Fist and Yell, released in 1987, is the second album after Alice’s commitment to sobriety. Also returning to his faith and family, we find him healthy, revitalized, and confident. With Heavy Metal and Hard Rock resurfacing in the music world, Alice made sure his voice was prominent in that arena.

I did not want to come out with anything having the soft underbelly to it. I wanted Alice to come out there and punch the lights out. I saw all these bands…and I said, I need to blow these guys off the map. To me attitude-wise and show-wise, we did…I was the master of surprise.” – Alice Cooper

Raise Your Fist and Yell was also released in the middle of a time when the PMRC (Parents’ Music Resource Center) was doing their best to censor music (especially Hard Rock, Rap, and Metal). Alice and many other musicians, most notably Dee Snider, took a direct stand against such measures – fighting for the freedom of speech and expression.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Freedom, Prince Of Darkness, Roses On White Lace, Lock Me Up

#24 Clones Pain Flush The Fashion Album Cover

Flush The Fashion is Alice’s twelfth studio album. Released in 1980, it falls under an umbrella of genres from Rock, Hard Rock, to New Wave. With Bob Ezrin busy working with Pink Floyd, Cars producer Roy Thomas Baker stepped in to work on the record.

With a mixture of sarcasm and some story-based songs, the album is still Alice, but it’s noticeable Cooper and Baker were rebranding the character (and the music). In fact, the album cover features Alice’s name with ’80 written behind it. As if to say, “the 70s are over; let’s move on.”

…yeah, okay, we’ll use a synthesizer even though I’m kicking and dragging my feet into that. But for that song, it was perfect because it was about sci-fi. It was about a guy who had twelve of himself. I’m number three; I’m number five, number six. Number six is having a problem relating to his clone status. It was very mechanical and sort of a Gary Numan-type of thing.” – Alice Cooper (talking about the track “Clones (We’re All)” from Flush The Fashion)

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Clones (We’re All), Pain, Grim Facts, Model Citizen

#23

Going Home Alice Cooper Goes To Hell Album Cover

Released in 1976, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell was certified Gold on November 23, 1976. The LP peaked at #27 in the U.S. and #23 in the UK.

The album is Alice’s 2nd solo effort, and in many ways, it is a continuation of the concept found on the previous album, Welcome To My Nightmare. A letter entitled “A Bedtime Story” was included with the album.

In the letter, we find Alice inviting Steven, the character found on the previous LP, to join him on his descent into the depths of hell. In classic tongue-in-cheek fashion, a good portion of what Alice and Steven witness and endure is a disco-infused nightmare.

 “Alice dreams he has gone down an endless black staircase to a disco hell because of his “criminal acts and violence on the stage.” The crisply produced music he makes during his confinement in hades ranges from tearful balladry to humorous, semi-autobiographical heavy metal and includes parodies of the disco sound and old vaudeville riffs.” – Anonymous, Billboard, July 1976

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Go To Hell, Guilty, I Never Cry, Going Home

#22

Lay Down Easy Action Album Cover

Easy Action, the 2nd Alice Cooper (Band) LP, was released in 1970. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor Pretties For You, in that it still displays experimental doses of psychedelic breakout and fanfare. However, it is still a much different album.

The Easy Action LP and the band seem more in sync (in comparison to Pretties For You) – an indication that proves the group has progressed and developed between this record and their previous endeavor. However, they were still searching for a home – a place where they could be understood entirely.

We didn’t fit in at all. We finally said the first place that gives us a standing ovation; we’re going to move to. We got this gig at the Saugatuck Pop Festival in Michigan, and that’s what happened. I’m from Detroit; that’s my hometown. We did our show, and the audience loved it – just the total opposite of L.A. – this band had attitude, and they loved that.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Mr. and Misdeamnor, Return Of The Spiders, Beautiful Flyaway, Lay Down and Die Goodbye

#21

crazy little child Muscle of Love Album Cover

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.

The production duties were split between Jack Richardson and Jack Douglas. Jack Richardson would also co-produce Aerosmith’s second LP, Get Your Wings, released on March 1, 1974.

It’s funny, if there’s one band, musically, that’s the closest band to Alice Cooper, it would be Aerosmith. When I talk to Joe (Perry) and Steven Tyler and all these guys, and we talk about our high school days and our 20s, what our roots were, it’s exactly the same. We learned every Yardbirds song there was, and so did they…So, I could tell by Aerosmith, how their records were, their influence.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Hard-Hearted Alice, Crazy Little Child, Man With The Golden Gun, Teenage Lament ’74

#20

Frankenstein He's Back Constrictor Album Cover

Constrictor, released in 1986, is Alice’s ninth solo studio album. The LP has him returning after a three-year hiatus from the music industry. During that time, Alice was able to redirect himself – breaking ties with Warner Bros. Records, replenishing his health, and focusing on his new addiction – golf. All of these factors helped bring the Godfather of Shock Rock roaring back to the stage – a clean, renewed, sober Alice.

“I had never been Alice Cooper on stage sober…what if Alice just doesn’t show up?” – Alice Cooper

Alice did show up and has ever since. This new “Heavy (Metal) Alice” was a vicious villain. Not the whipping boy of yesteryear. He took charge and commanded the stage with authority.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Teenage Frankenstein, The World Needs Guts, Great American Success Story, He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)

#19

Special Forces Album Cover

Special Forces, the sixth Alice Cooper solo album, was released in 1981. It is the first of three LPs that Alice has coined the “blackout” albums – records he doesn’t remember much about.

Another concept album, this one finds Alice playing the role of a decorated war general – an arrogant persona gloating about his military career and record.

The cover art finds a picture of Alice dressed in an army uniform and adorned with war medals and other paraphernalia. His portrait is placed between two swords crossed and facing upwards – a universal symbol for readiness and willingness to fight.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Who Do You Think We Are, You’re A Movie, Vicious Rumours, You Want It You Got It

#18

Salvation Along Came A Spider Album Cover

Released on July 29, 2008, Along Came A Spider is Alice Cooper’s 18th solo album. The LP, like many others, is a concept album, this time dealing with the life of a sociopath. Cooper’s timeless character, Steven, has become a serial killer.

Much like the characters in “Silence of the Lambs” and “Red Dragon,” Steven believes he’s the manifestation of something wicked, foul, and grotesque. In this case, he’s the ‘spider.’ The album goes on to explain the inner workings of his mind. Unexpectedly he finds grace but his deeds won’t go unpunished.

Evil should get punished. It should never win. And that, to me, is what’s most satisfying. I may love Darth Vader when I watch Star Wars, but I feel relief when he finally gets what’s coming to him.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Vengeance Is Mine, Catch Me If You Can, Killed By Love, Salvation

#17

dyslexia Gun DaDa Album Cover

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.

“The real Alice fans’ four favorite albums are the four blackout albums. The ones that I wrote totally subconsciously, and I go back now and listen to them and go, “For somebody who doesn’t remember writing that song, recording or touring it, that’s a pretty cool song!” (laughs). – Alice Cooper

The cover art, based on a painting by surrealist artist Salvador Dali, and the album’s name references Dadaism, an early 20th-century European avant-garde art movement. However, areas of the LP also focus on the word Dada having paternal roots – featuring a child or infant calling for their father.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
I Love America, Former Lee Warmer, Dyslexia, Pass The Gun Around

#16

School's Out Album Cover

In 1972, Alice Cooper, the band, released their 5th studio album, School’s Out. The record is heavily influenced by the Yardbirds and reached No. 4 on the UK album charts, No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, and No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Top 100.

“One thing about the School’s Out album that is interesting was the fact that there was a real Yardbirds presence there, especially with the song, “School’s Out,” itself. If you really listen to the bottom of that song, it’s all Yardbirds, which was our biggest influence.” – Alice Cooper

The title track of the album is a one-size-fits-all anthem for every listener. Alice stated, “the two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school.” How true? How simple, yet profound? It’s a genius concept. To contain the essence of pure joy in one song is a marvelous feat. It presented the band with an instant hit and classic.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
School’s Out, Luney Tune, Public Animal #9, Alma Mater

#15

Escape Only Women Bleed Welcome To My Nightmare Album Cover

This week we take another look at the Welcome To My Nightmare album. Released in 1975, Alice’s 1st solo album brings excitement and flare back to the stage. A record and stage show with a stated goal and concept, the “Welcome To My Nightmare” experience is one that many fans, critics, and music historians remember fondly.

The album and show is an intense mixture of songs that combine Shock, Rock, Horror, Jazz, and hints of Funk into a tightly-knit record—coupled with a Vaudeville-Esque stage show that left a few fans scratching their heads. Still, many more folks loving every minute of the performance.

At this point, Alice’s drinking had really taken a turn for the worse.

We were working six nights a week, selling out every show, for two years. We worked so hard for two years, that it literally almost killed me, just because of the fact that I drank so much just to try and keep up with it.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Welcome To My Nightmare, Only Women Bleed, Escape, Department Of Youth, Steven, Devil’s Food

#14

dead babies Killer Album Cover

Released in late 1971, Killer is Alice Cooper’s fourth studio album. Reaching #21 on the Billboard 200, the record continued to propel the group forward into the limelight of the music world.

Many fans and critics believe this to be the best Alice Cooper LP recorded during the band years. It will forever be a classic and many of the songs from the album are still performed some 45+ years later. The Killer LP is raw, well thought out, and unapologetic – pure Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“We were trying to be shocking under the critical magnifying glass of radio stations, advertisers, church groups, parents, and even many of the kids that were our age. Plus, we actually did have our own sense of decency. It was a balancing act. As tame as some of our things appear in retrospect – like five androgynous-looking guys with a girl’s name – it really was shocking then. It demanded more thinking than the public cared to do, so many just tried to write us off as a joke. Others threatened to kill us. Girls loved us. But nobody could ignore us. As for threats, our entire career was riddled with threats of all kinds. We had so many threats that we became immune to worrying about them.”  – Dennis Dunaway, founding member/bassist of the band

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Under My Wheels, Be My Lover, Halo Of Flies, Dead Babies, Killer, Desperado

#13

Trash Album Cover

The Trash LP, released in 1989, is Alice’s eleventh solo studio album. Teaming up with Desmond Child, together, he and Alice, deliver an instant classick. Trash reached #20 on the US Billboard 200 and #2 in the UK. The album also delivered Cooper’s first top ten hit, “Poison,” since “You and Me,” the hit single found on the 1977 LP, Lace and Whiskey.

Desmond Child is considered a “hit-maker” in the industry. While some fans didn’t embrace Alice’s new direction initially, it’s obvious the move was a good one. A move that placed Alice Cooper among other multi-platinum bands and albums at the time.

“I didn’t want to paint myself into a corner with blood, ’cause I think if I would have done another album like that, people would have said, ‘Well, that’s all Alice can do anymore–just horror.’ I wanted to show a different side…I really wanted to write songs, like we did on ‘Billion Dollar Babies’, and Desmond is such a great songwriter that it was very easy. We wrote 22 songs and had to narrow it down to 10.” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Poison, House Of Fire, Why Trust You, Only My Heart Talkin’, This Maniac’s In Love With You, Hell Is Living Without You

#12

Welcome 2 My Nightmare Album Cover

Welcome 2 My Nightmare, released in 2011, is the continuation of the story of Steven. This time Alice’s beloved character finds himself back in Hell after visiting the abyss some 35 years before (on the 1976 LP, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell). Bob Ezrin reunites with Alice (after nearly 30 years) to help create and produce this incredibly diverse album.

“When we work together, it’s like Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. We know each other upside down and backward. I can go in with Bob Ezrin and say, “Here’s the idea of the story. Let’s not do part two of Welcome To My Nightmare. Let’s just give Alice a new nightmare.” – Alice Cooper

Welcome 2 My Nightmare is most definitely a new, multi-dimensional Nightmare, and it also finds Alice reuniting not only with Ezrin, but his former bandmates, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith as well.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
I Am Made Of You, Caffeine, Last Man On Earth, The Congregation, When Hell Comes Home, Under The Bed

#11

Beverly Hills See Me Now From The Inside Album Cover

From The Inside, released in 1978, is met with mixed reviews, yet the album is invaluable to Alice’s catalog.

He poured his heart out in a way that fuses honesty, comedy, and raw emotion into a finely recorded piece – one that celebrates his journey to sobriety (and the characters he met along the way).

From The Inside was ten songs making up a concept album of all the characters I met in the insane asylum…So I went in, I was in there because of alcohol, and everybody else was in there because they were criminally insane.” – Alice Cooper

Alice draws the listener into the hospital and the experience with him – introducing us to the many characters he met during his visit. The songs and LP artwork take on a narrative much like that of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” The LP gatefolds open to a still shot of the inmates, further embracing the story line.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
From The Inside, Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills, The Quiet Room, Nurse Rozetta, How You Gonna See Me Now, Inmates (We’re All Crazy)

#10

Second Coming Eighteen Love It To Death Album Cover

The Love It To Death LP celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, released March 9, 1971. The album’s producer, Bob Ezrin, worked with the band to create that unique “Alice Cooper” sound. In turn, Love It To Death became quintessential Alice Cooper. Even the album cover tells a story, perhaps without the listener noticing.

The idea, as it struck us, was black and white. That’s why the front of the album is dark, and the back is light. We had songs like… the white part of it would be songs like “Caught In A Dream,” it’s an uplifting song – it’s not a dark character song. But we also had “Black Juju,” so the set was like that. It started out bright, and then it got very dark, shifted gears after about four rockers, then it shifted gears and got very moody and very dark, and then it became uplifting at the end after Alice got killed (laughs).” – Dennis Dunaway (founding member and bassist, Alice Cooper)

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Caught In A Dream, Eighteen, Hallowed Be My Name, Second Coming, Ballad Of Dwight Fry, Sun Arise

#9

Noise Dead Flies Paranormal Album Cover Sound of A

Paranormal is the 20th solo studio LP recorded by Alice Cooper. Released in July 2017, the album features many musicians and artists, including original Alice Cooper band members Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway, and Michael Bruce.

The album “accidentally” became a concept piece, with every single song having a character with abnormal or paranormal issues to deal with or resolve. Musically, the LP is pure Hard Rock, in many ways, paying homage to the 70s.

“It was “Generation Landslide” part two. “Generation Landslide” was one of those songs that lyrically were one of the best lyrics I’d ever done. It portrayed what was going on in the world right then. Well, now, forty-five years later, what’s going on? I got to rant a little bit on false prophets, you know, cults, the idea that your phone knows more about you than your parents. That’s an interesting point of view.” – Alice Cooper (talking about “Dead Flies,” one of the songs on the Paranormal LP)

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
The Sound Of A, Fallen In Love, Holy Water, Paranormal, Dead Flies, Fireball

#8

Mars Toy Hey Stoopid Album Cover

The Hey Stoopid LP, released in 1991, 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 ‘70s-influenced bands. They’ve got it down – ‘70s rock was very experimental and guitar-oriented. I’m a guitar freak, and it’s my record; that’s why there are monster players like Satriani, Vai, Slash, Vinnie Moore, and Mick Mars on this record.” – Alice Cooper

During this time, Alice also found himself surrounded by a “whole new audience.” His role in the movie “Wayne’s World” propelled him into a new era with people everywhere bowing and chanting, “We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy,” as seen in the film. Alice amiably admits he told Mike Myers (Wayne) and Dana Carvey (Garth), “You stuck me with this for the rest of my life!

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Feed My Frankenstein, Hey Stoopid, Love’s A Loaded Gun, Might As Well Be On Mars, Wind-Up Toy, Hurricane Years

#7

Nice Guy I Love The Dead Elected Billion Dollar Babies Cover

Billion Dollar Babies, Alice Cooper’s sixth studio album, was released in 1973. The LP hit #1 on the charts in both the US and UK. Bob Ezrin produced the record and also played keyboards on some tracks as well.

The album’s supporting tour included theatrics and effects designed by James Randi, a hired magician, who also played the “Executioner.” Over 13 tons of equipment was used, including a wide array of props such as a dentist’s drill, a surgical table, whips, hatchets, baby dolls, mannequins, bubble bath, and other oddities.

The LP also produces one of the most infamous Alice tracks in his catalog, “Elected.”

The President is always a focal point for satire, but Nixon – you couldn’t satirize him enough. Plus, the 1972 presidential elections were coming up, and I thought, “Who’s the most unlikely person you would ever want as President? And Alice Cooper was that person!” – Alice Cooper

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Hello Hooray, Billion Dollar Babies, Elected, No More Mister Nice Guy, Generation Landslide, I Love The Dead

#6

Brutal Planet Album Cover

The Brutal Planet LP was released on June 6, 2000.  It is one of Coop’s darker, more substantial albums – focusing on the demise and destruction of humanity. This album reveals what life would look like apart from God and His plan. The product of such an equation is a burning wasteland ruled by Satan – a spinning ‘ball of hate’.

“The story starts right where we are – it’s the future. I think it’s pretty obvious that we’re picking up here. It’s the future, and it’s a mystery how we got here. All we know is that we are here, and we don’t know how we got here, but everything is destroyed.” – Alice Cooper

Judging by today’s state of affairs, it’s as if Alice prophetically wrote both Brutal Planet and Dragontown with almost pinpoint accuracy. It’s a “what have we become?” question that demands an answer – an honest one.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Brutal Planet, Wicked Young Man, Pick Up The Bones, It’s The Little Things, Cold Machines, Sanctuary

#5

Perfect Stand Enemy Dirty Diamonds Album Cover

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

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Perfect, Dirty Diamonds, Sunset Babies (All Got Rabies), Run Down The Devil, Stand, Your Own Worst Enemy

#4

Detroit Stories Hanging On

Detroit Stories is Alice’s 21st solo album. It was released this year 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 Cooper defines it.

 He also admits that the new LP includes “a lot of different flavors,” some of which we heard on The Breadcrumbs EP, released in 2019. The Detroit Stories LP is full of solid rock tracks – a throwback of sorts.

 In fact, “I Hate You” and “Social Debris,” two tracks on the album, featuring the original lineup, could have easily been included on Billion Dollar Babies, School’s Out, or Muscle of Love

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Our Love Will Change The World, Social Debris, I Hate You, Hangin’ On By A Thread (Don’t Give Up), Shut Up And Rock, Rock ‘N’ Roll

#3

Spirits Rhyme Rebellious Novocaine The Eyes of Alice Cooper Album Cover

The Eyes of Alice Cooper LP, released in 2003, embraces a return to Alice’s musical roots. It’s raw, fun, and a hat tip to garage bands nationwide (and embraces his nostalgic origin).

I found that there was much more humor in this album than any of the other albums. I haven’t had real fun with an album for quite a while.” – Alice Cooper

After Brutal Planet and Dragontown (dark-themed albums confronting the darker side of humanity), The Eyes of Alice Cooper was as if Alice wanted to do something a little more upbeat and “bare-boned.” In fact, the album tour was named the “Bare Bones Tour.”

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Man Of The Year, Novocaine, Spirits Rebellious, Love Should Never Feel Like This, The Song That Didn’t Rhyme, What Do You Want From Me?

#2

God Jungle Sex Too Late Every Woman Sister Sara Dragon Town Album Cover

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.

 The place and characters are metaphors of real-world problems and issues in this place called Dragontown (on this Brutal Planet). The players haven’t escaped. They aren’t dreaming. They are authentically telling their stories. They parallel reality.

 “So, I said let’s keep writing this. Let’s go to Dragontown now, the worst part of Brutal Planet, and see who is there, and first of all, we haven’t let anybody off of Brutal Planet. On Welcome To My Nightmare, I woke everybody up, and on Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, I get out, and on From The Inside, everybody escapes. But Brutal Planet, everybody’s still there. In Dragontown, I haven’t let anybody up…” – Alice Cooper

The songs on this record are hard-hitting and require the listener to question and think a little deeper about life’s meaning. The LP focuses on many aspects of what makes humanity “tick” – the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of this world.

NOTEABLE TRACKS:
Dragontown, Sex Death And Money, Fantasy Man, Every Woman Has A Name, It’s Much Too Late, I Just Wanna Be God

#1

Cleansed Stolen Prayer Lost In America Lullaby The Last Temptation Nothing's Free Album Cover

Released in 1994, The Last Temptation is full of insight and direction of Biblical proportion. The LP includes songs about choice, virtue, vice, and redemption. The gravitas of such matters can be felt both in the music and the lyrics.

It’s a very strong concept album, a real morality play. It has a protagonist, a hero, a victim; it has a reason and a conclusion.” – Alice Cooper

There are so many details – the interactions between the Showman, Steven, and Mercy, but there is also a narrative that may parallel the listener’s life as well. The album’s content, laced with virtue, vice, and redemption, tells the story of Steven but can easily translate to the listener’s life as well. It hits you where you live.

NOTEABLE TRACKS (all of them):
Sideshow, Nothing’s Free, Cleansed By Fire, Stolen Prayer, Bad Place Alone, It’s Me, You’re My Temptation, Lullaby, Lost In America, Unholy War

In conclusion, this was a good exercise. Alice’s catalog is so diverse and full of insight – it’s something unique and special. It’s arguably something different for each individual. Hopefully, this list has given you a little more insight into why “Fridays With Alice” finds Alice and his career something special. May God continue to bless each of you and the Cooper family as we continue to move forward. Each of you are loved by our Creator.

Be well and God Bless You on this Holy Weekend. HE IS RISEN!

Until we fully return from the break, Keep Walkin’ In Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!

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