Alice Cooper is back! Although, I don't think he ever really left. I am a fan of a lot of Alice's music, but have never really paid close attention to his career. For instance, I didn't even know that he was still making new albums, but when I saw this one I figured I'd give it a shot. The last album of his that I can remember listening to was the excellent Last Temptation of Alice from way back in the early 1990's.
Alice's new album is called Dirty Diamonds, and I think that is a pretty fitting title. Besides being the title of one of the songs, it also works as a description of the album. I have read that it was written and recorded in 13 days. In that short time Alice and crew have turned out a rough album that is full of gems of songs. This is a fun album that shows Alice running the gamut from old school rockers like "Woman of Mass Distraction" to the countryish "The Saga of Jesse Jane." With everything containing some great riffs and clever lyrics that have been a trademark of Cooper's for over 30 years.
The album has a mix of rockers and ballads, all with that Cooper edge. Although he is getting older, and has been around the block more than a few times, he still has that distinctive growl. A growl which, on demand, can recede back allowing a cleaner voice through, a voice which while safer sounding holds an edge of menace. He sounds great here, as he does whenever I here him sing. The band also sounds good, a rough, unproduced sound which fits Alice's gruff and growl like a glove. Ryan Roxie and Damon Johnson team up to provide the riffs and leads, giving the proceedings a sound that evokes the present rock scene, but doesn't betray the classic rock roots. Meanwhile, Chuck Garric on bass and Tommy Cufetos on drums lay down a solid rhythm bed on which Alice can lay down his vocals.
Article comments
1 - RatHighway
Agreed! This is an awesome disc and a great starting point for someone who wants to give the Master of Classic Rock a fresh try.
2 - Matt
Chris,
This now has another venue for success - and more eyes - at the Advance.net Web sites, a place affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.
Also please let your contact know, if you had one, that this article, is published at one more place. That helps to show they get two?, three? for the "price" of one.
Thank you.
Matt Freelove
3 - Heather
I haven't heard the album yet... what are some of the songs called??
4 - Chris Beaumont
Dirty Diamonds
The Saga of Jesse Jane
Sunset Babies (All Got Rabies)
Run Down the Devil
Woman of Mass Distraction
That's what i remember off the top of my head (also mentioned in the review).