Killer
Produced by Bob Ezrin, Killer included hits “Under My Wheels”, “Be My Lover” and “Desperado”.
It’s also include some of Ezrin’s studio musicians or friends. On this album Rick Derringer was un credited for his work on “Under My Wheels” and “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”.
“Be My Lover” has that Lou Reed “Sweet Jane” sound to it.

“Desperado” is Alice’s way of paying homage to his drinking buddy Jim Morrison.

can’t you hear that ghost that’s calling

In fact Alice emulates Morrison’s voice in this song.
Alice said at one time instead of sending flowers I wrote this song. Alice compares a rock star as being a gunfighter. There is always someone who thinks he’s better than you and you’re always looking over your shoulder at the new gun in town. Alice also inspired by the movie “The Magnificent Seven”.

“Halo of Flies” is a big number and spotlights Neal Smith’s extraordinary drumming. This song has that suspenseful TV drama sound from the 70’s. The character in the song is like Secret Agent 007.

I got a watch that turns into a lifeboat

Another epic song is “Dead Babies” which people have misinterpreted by just reading the title and who haven’t listen to the lyrics. “Dead Babies” is about a child who’s neglected and ends up overdosing from medicine she has found in the home.

Little Betty ate a pound of aspirins
she got them on the shelf up on the wall
Betty’s mommy wasn’t there to save her

Which leads into the last song “Killer” another theatrical song. Alice uses his Jim Morrison voice again in the beginning. As the Killer character gives his confession

someone handed me this gun and I gave it everything

Once he’s caught & is being escorted down death row to meet his fate. You hear the last rites being read in latin while the haunting organ fills the corridors. Then it’s followed by a swirling sound as it gets louder and louder then cuts off into dead silence. It sort of reminded me of water drain as the water gets sucked down the pipes. I supposed it could be the killer’s life being snuffed out at final execution. During this concert the gallows were introduced as one of Alice’s execution.

Artwork: The cover red again like Easy Action is a close up of a serpentine’s head that of Kachina who was really Neal Smith’s snake. Neal received Kachina as a gift during the Love It To Death tour. It would be the first introduction of the snake’s appearance during “Be My Lover”. This would be another trademark of Alice Cooper. The artist who shot the cover of Kachina was French Vogue photographer Pete Turner.
The title on the front is scrawled in black like some deranged serial killer.
The back side is the band wearing gold outfits and their wild manes blowing in the air. Alice is wearing the spider eye make up. Neal is holding the snake over the head of the band members.
The back also includes the list of songs and writing credits.
The gate fold opens up to a calendar of Alice being hung. As his lifeless body dangles and blood drops appear on his chest. Back of the gatefold is solid purple with red lettering of production and other credits.

Trivia note: Pete Turner’s other snake head picture appears on a Boston band named Fuzzy CD titled “Electric Juices” in 1996.