The Eyes Of Alice Cooper
Alice breaks from his moral concept albums and decides to go back to basic. After a dismal response to "Brutal Planet" (which I say is a great record) and "DragonTown" Alice decided to change direction. Listening to the music that's coming back around from the early Alice Cooper Group years. Bands such as White Stripes, The Hives, The Strokes and The Vines has Alice yearning the years he spent in Detroit. In the early 1970's playing clubs with Iggy Pop, MC5, Ted Nugent to name a few has Alice making this a garage rock album. This album was also written by the band members who toured with Alice and are on this CD so it's an actual group effort. With guitarists Ryan Roxie, Eric Dover, and bass Chuck Garric. KISS drummer Eric Singer also plays on this album but wasn't involved in the writing of it. This isn't a concept album and it has no moral or political themes it's just rock n' roll. Alice noted it only took 3 weeks to record the whole album and they did it as a live band. No separate vocals or instruments, there is some minor overdubs that was placed in after the recordings but majority is all for one. Produced by Mudrock who's known for his production of Godsmack's album Alice tries to recapture his "Love It To Death" style. But it's more like "Hey Stoopid" sounding.

I have to say half of this album is good. Right away I loved the first two tracks "What Do You Want From Me?" and "Between High School & Old School" hit you right between the eyes.

nobody wants me hanging around
unless it's from a tree in the middle of town

from "Between High School & Old School"

"Man of The Year" you spot the over 40 year olds who appreciate the line

I pass the urine test, my prostate is a jewel

"Novocaine" and "Bye Bye, Baby" are two garage rock songs. Some say "Bye Bye, Baby" would make a good Stones song. It does have a little "Under My Wheels" to it. Maybe it's the brass section.

"Be With You Awhile" is the ballad for this album. As ballads go I say this one of the better ballads Alice wrote in sometime.

"Detroit City" has that anthem song quality I'm not that crazy about as Alice gives us a brief history of rock n roll in Detroit. Alice has guest guitarist Wayne Kramer from MC5 on this track. The only thing is he's not that pronounced. I wish they gave Kramer a solo piece to show off his outstanding sound. He had an opportunity to use a great guitarist and they blew it.

Me and Iggy were giggin' with Ziggy. And kickin' with the MC5.
Ted and Seger were burin' with fever. And let the silver bullets fly.

Alice also gives mention of the bands that came out of Detroit recently.

The Kid was in his crib, Shady wore a bib. And the Posse wasn't even alive.

"Spirit Rebellious" reminds me of a stripped down version of a Brutal Planet song. I know Alice had this song kicking around for a while. It was going to be the title of one of his previous albums. Anyway this is also an excellent track that kicks ass.

"This House Is Haunted" is one of Alice's horror theme songs. It reminds me a little of "The Last Temptation" and "Dada" albums. I like the vocal distortion giving Alice that distance sound. Only thing is it doesn't seem to fit with the style of the rest of this record.

"Love Should Never Feel Like This" is straight forward sounding and "The Song That Didn't Rhyme" Alice with his humor gives us a little 3 minute ditty on the making of this song.

a three minute waste of your time. No redeeming value of any kind.
But thanks for the 12.99. On the song that didn't rhyme

Alice goes punk with "I'm So Angry" but this track doesn't do it for me as well as the last track "Backyard Brawl" which sounds like a jam session song.

Artwork: The cover art comes with four versions. You have Alice's in Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow eyes. Alice is wearing his "Spider"eye make up from his '71 era. I guess since he's going back to his garage rock days he slapped on the old school style mascara. This 16 page booklet comes with legible lyrics and great photos of Alice. One pic has Alice in his black derby hat from his School's Out days pre-Clockwork Orange. The artwork along with the music is going back to "Love It To Death" and "School's Out" era. The back cover of the booklet has the whole band. Also on the back of the CD case with the title tracks on the bottom you have Alice with his backing band. Matter of fact this is the first time Alice showed his backing band. The last time was on "Muscle Of Love" album in 1974 which was the last album with the original Alice Cooper Group.

UK Vinyl Artwork: Limited Edition of this record only available through imports. Alice gives the UK another gift since he is well received and considers them his second home. This vinyl is with a sticker that reads "Heavy Vinyl Pressings" which it is heavier than normal vinyls. The artwork just like the CD has Alice with the "Red" eyes, no 4 cover version. The back is Alice and band from the back CD along with the track listings at bottom. The record label on the vinyl itself is a black & white picture of the cover. The inside sleeve is a heavy stock. One side includes the lyrics and the bottom includes some of the pictures in the CD booklet.You have photos from page 5, center spread 6&7, and page 1 in that order. Also along the bottom reads the title of the album "The Eyes Of Alice". Last name "Cooper" is on the other side which has a full picture sleeve of Alice taken from CD booklet page 4. This side includes all the credits.
The CD has 3 more photos that aren't on the lp. But it's been a long time since I actually held a new lp in my hands and it felt good. I wish vinyl comes back. The art shouldn't be put on a 5 by 5 inch material that you have to squint to read any text. It should be proudly displayed on a 12 by 12 inch cardboard.
As for the track orders it goes in the same sequence as the CD. Side 1 starts with 1. "What Do You Want From Me?" ends with 6. "Be with You Awhile". Side 2 starts with 1. "Detroit City" and ends with 7. "Backyard Brawl".