Pretties For You
If you are like me you didn't find this album until much later on after listening to “I'm Eighteen” or “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” When I started to collect Alice Cooper back catalog of Lp’s I had no idea what was going to come out of my speakers. I just had this expression as if being dropped alone on a planet a millions years from Earth with only a rubber band.
Alice Cooper was signed by Frank Zappa’s Straight Label who also toured with Zappa.
PFY was recorded with in a few days and even though it was stating in the credits as being Produced by Alice Cooper. It was Produced by Ian Underwood and Herb Cohen with Zappa maybe coming in to assist on a song or two.
I have to admit after listening to it for sometime I really enjoyed what I heard from those strange and discord sounds. Being in the the late 60’s, 1968 to be exact but wasn't released until ‘69 PFY instruments had the Psychedelic influences of early Pink Floyd or 13th Floor Elevators. Although the lyrics still had that West Coast hippie living but still pretty out there by any means.

This lp starts off with an instrumental titled “Titanic Overture.” About a minute long “Titanic Overture” leads in with an organ that seems to be reminisce of “Goin Out of My Head.”

Some of my favorites are “Sing Low, Sweet Cheerio,” which I have no idea what it means or maybe it’s a mind expanding trip.
It's interesting to know that Michael Bruce sings the first verse of this song.

recall falling down a lot of time was spent that way
but this story staring me has already begun
cause I had some vision in my sight
on the journey to be one

“Fields of Regret,” with The Doors influence shows Alice’s upbringing as a minister’s son in which he would incorporate Biblical references throughout most of his albums.

when the approaching judge shall find
sinful deeds from all mankind
with death and nature in surprise
behold the wretched sinners rise
to meet the judge’s searching eyes

My all time favorite is the live cut “Levity Ball” which I still love to this day. I know I get a lot of strange looks when I say it. Also good to note “Reflected” track Alice would keep in his back pocket to reprise it with new lyrics on “Elected.”

Artwork: The cover was an Ed Beardsley painting titled "Pretties For You" that was in Frank Zappa’s house. Alice wanted to use a Dali painting “Geopoliticus Child” (seen on left) for the cover but either they couldn't afford it or legal matters stop them. But Beardsley painting of an old man holding a mug of beer staring at a women who’s lifting up her skirt while in the background a funeral procession is going by is just as strange as the music in the album sleeve.
The group picture on the back shows the Alice Cooper Group in what looks to be taken inside a museum of Modern Art. The group is still experimenting with their persona. First from the left in black is Neal Smith drummer who looks like a biker. Followed by lead guitarist Glen Buxton who could of stepped out of a Vegas Casino. A blonde androgynous singer, songwriter and harmonica player Alice Cooper sporting a glitter cheerleader uniform and black denim pants. Bass player and Time Traveler Dennis Dunaway in the silver space suit that he wore when landed on Earth years ago. Closing up with rhythm guitar, piano, organ and co-writer Michael Bruce who could of easily been a member of The Byrds or Buffalo Springfield. There is no song listing on the back of the album. The inside is a gatefold shows individual pics of each member along with a listing of their musical credits and track listing. The song credits go to the whole band.
This is not an album to listen to if you want to get into Alice Cooper. This is more of knowing the band for sometime and appreciate where the origin of the Alice Cooper Group spawned.