Music Review: Alice Cooper - Along Came A Spider - Page 2

Taken as a whole, it is easy to get wrapped up in the web that Alice spins, as we listen to Spider go into the details of murdering young women, wrapping them in silk, and removing one of their legs. The concept may be held together by loose threads, but it is easy to follow the narrative from its prologue, where Spider's diary is found through to the epilogue where Spider talks of what they must have thought from his writings.

To be completely honest, this album rocks, with the hard rocking "Vengeance is Mine" opening the festivities in earnest. The song also features Slash sitting in on guitar, delivering a rocking solo. Slash is not the only star to be involved, as Ozzy Osbourne co-wrote "Wake the Dead" and provides some harmonica to the rocker.

In addition to the hard rocking cuts, there is another side of classic Alice to make an appearance on the album. You see, I may not know a lot of Alice's history, but I do know that while he can turn it up, rock out, and perform live decapitations, Alice likes to show his softer side as well. His inner balladeer appears with songs like "Killed by Love" and "Salvation," the latter with a near epic tone that attempts to imbue Spider with the slightest bit of humanity. Now, although the songs may appear to be on the softer side, don't think that Alice is going soft. The songs have an edge of darkness, playing along the edge of evil. There are few that come close to equaling Alice Cooper's ability to marry the soft and the evil sides of music in one song.

With Alice leading the charge with his inimitable voice, he has assembled a solid group of musicians around him. Keri Kelli (Big Bang Babies, Saints of the Underground) and Jason Hook handle guitar duties, with Chuck Garric on bass, and Eric Singer (KISS) behind the drum kit.

Bottom line. Alice Cooper has done it again, delivering a strong album that should not be overlooked. He has crafted a loose tale of murder, dismemberment, and evil with a soundtrack that is deceptively upbeat. He even ties it in with an older release, mentioning Steven of Welcome to My Nightmare fame. Cooper obviously still has it, and I look forward to whatever he has to deliver in the future.

Recommended.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests: SF, horror, and metal. …

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