DADA
In 1983 came one of the most darkest, obscure and cerebral albums of Alice’s creation. I would say this is the most underrated album by Alice. I only wish someday this gets the recognition it deserves. Alice notes as this being his “Lost Weekend” album and is quoted as saying he doesn’t remember much of the making of it. This came about during Alice’s fall off the wagon. Actually Alice started to fall during “Special Forces” album but this was his bottoming out period. Either way it’s amazing the lyrics Alice comes up with on this album. It’s one of the most innovative records. I would say this is Alice’s period of “The Wall” by Pink Floyd.

DADA brings us the return of Dick Wagner and Producer Bob Ezrin who’s last lp produced Alice’s “The Alice Cooper Show” in 1977. Bob also brings in a CMJ Fairlight Computer to serve as drum tracks. Only 4 tracks feature live drums by Richard Kolinda. Ezrin daughter Sara is featured as the eerie voice of Da Da which starts off the first track.

Alice wrestles once again with his character and his sanity. DADA starts off with an instrumental and a conversation in a psychiatrist office.

She takes care of me, He takes care of me, do you believe I have a daughter too.
You don’t have a daughter, a son, you have a son
No, I, no I, all I have, I have, I have a son I have a son and a daughter, and a daughter.
No, I have a son, daughter...

“Former Lee Warmer” talks about his strange brother who’s locked up in his room a sort of Boo Radely character.

In an upstairs room under lock and key
it’s my brother, Former Lee
all the mops and brooms keep him company

One of Alice’s most black humorist lyrics I would say is “Dyslexia”

Sometimes my world is goes upside down
sometimes I see things backwards....
....Is dis love?
or is dyslexia...

Alice’s use of S&M lyrics in “Scarlet And Sheeba” will even make Marque De Sade grin.

Scarlet likes to scold me, showers me with all her love
Sheba’s in a bad mood, sharpening her black fur glove
with blood and honey attitude
they’ll never know my gratitude
I’m crossed with longitude and latitude
upon my back with a crack

Alice still shows his humor again in “I Love America”

I love General Patton in World War II
my Pocket Fisherman and my Krazy Glue
I love the Beav and Wally too, yeah
I love America

In “Fresh Blood” Alice presents us with his horror movie side.

Plus one of my favorite tracks is “Pass The Gun Around”
This could also be considered semi autobiographical

Sonny wakes up in the morning, there’s a stranger in his bed
someone’s pounding on the hotel door, he wishes he was dead
I’ve had so many blackout nights before
I don’t think I can take this anymore

This track closes with a loud slam and the eerie voice of Da Da echo at the end.
Very creepy.

Inclosing I would love to hear any out takes from this album. Who knows maybe someday they may issue it on CD with bonus tracks. Also to note that this is the last time Alice records on The Warner Brothers Label. Alice will be leaving to sober once again for good and search to sign with a new record label.

Artwork: DADA title could be taken on different levels. You have the paternal Da Da or the beginning of the Surrealist movement which came from the DADA period. You see DADA period was short lived from 1916 - 1922. Which spawned the Surrealist period and one of the leading artists was Salvador Dali who collaborated with Alice back in the 1970’s on an art project the hologram.
A very cool cover which was taken from Dali’s “Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire”

Artist Glen McKenzie did his interpretation of it with the emphases of the disappearing Bust section of the painting. The original shows 2 slave girls in the market facing 2 ladies dressed in black & white. As you stand away from it the 2 ladies resemble the sculpture bust of Philosopher Voltaire. In McKenzie’s interpretation Alice is where the elderly ladies sit and you still see the sculpture bust of Philosopher Voltaire.

On the back of the cover are the lyrics to the album including the credits. Also on the top is a open locket with 2 pics. One is a young Vincent Furnier pre-Alice holding a pup the other is an old man. Just to be noted the pic of the old man is just some stock photo. It isn’t anyone special.

Alice includes in the credits a special thanks to Judge Joseph A. Wapner from tv’s “People Court”. Inside sleeve is again acetate.