Zipper Catches Skin
Still in his New Wave phase Alice drops his military persona. This is a pretty good album for it's style. I remember this coming out in late Summer of 1982. I was up Maine when I heard UNH (University of New Hampshire) radio station play “No Baloney Homosapiens”. I believe this may be Alice’s first time writing about UFO’s rather than horror genre.

Hey you up there in outer space
you’re lookin’ at some style and grace
the blood and gutty human race...

The return of Dick Wagner since “From The Inside” lp co-wrote 4 songs w/ Alice and played guitar on the album. Also backing band from previous album return as well as backing vocals by Flo & Eddie. Guest vocalist is the late Patty Donahue from the 80’s band The Waitresses. ZCS was noted as being produced by Alice Cooper and Erik Scott.

One of my favorite songs is “I Am The Future” a track that was made for the movie “Class of 1984” which stared a young Michael J. Fox. A very good movie if you get a chance to view it. This was the only song that wasn’t written by Alice.

Another good tune is a 2 parter “I Like Girls” which includes (The Waitresses) Patty Donahue.
She definitely played the part well for this track.

new luggage? Did you say you were going somewhere?
Oh just out for some fresh air
does she have a nice pair?

Followed by it’s sequel “Remarkably Insincere” which Alice gives his rebuttal.

My dearest darling
you know that luggage
it belonged to the blonde with the nice pair

Alice still gives us his Stephen King song “Tag, You’re It” which shows us Alice hasn’t forgotten his horror roots. A sort of song that could be from “Halloween” or “Friday the 13th”

Now here’s the chiller
he’s the killer
you’ve discovered
you’re trapped alone, you’re scared

One of the songs I’m not that crazy about is “I’m Alive (that was the day my dead pet returned to save my life)” I have to admit the title is very funny & the lyrics as well has the Alice humor.
I guess I just didn’t care for the chorus part.
It’s not that bad an album but I have to admit it’s not one I play that often.

Artwork: Concept of the cover was by Alice and photographer Jonathan Exley. The cover is the lyrics to the album. If you notice there are some red letters throughout the black text. As you stand back a bit you see “ALICE COOPER” on the top part of the album spelled out in the red lettering. Also the title of the album “Zipper Catches Skin” is in red in the lyrics of the song “I Better Be Good” which is underlined by a smug of blood that was donated by Brian Nelson, Alice's assistant aka Renfield.

The back cover shows Alice in a shirt and tie with his hair tied back to make it look short. Alice gives an expression of being in pain as his arms are positioned cut out of the frame of being below his waist which gives us the theme from the album title.

Below the picture is the track titles and credits plus other info. Alice does give credit to “Salem’s Lot”. As for the inner sleeve it’s just acetate sleeve. This is pretty much it just the previous 2 lps.
I don’t know why Alice was so simplistic with the designs on the new wave albums.