Hey Stoopid
After Alice survives the rigorous tortures of Desmond Child this album is produced by Peter Collins. Which is a much better album than “Trash” although sales wise it’s not. “Hey Stoopid” almost follows the same theme as “Trash” Also there is one song “Dangerous Tonight” co-written by Alice and Child that was left over from the previous album. Whether these songs are out takes or not they sound much better and Alice’s vocals are back to normal.

Again Alice’s uses an All Star band having guests play on every track. The list goes as this; Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Satriani, Nikki Sixx & Mick Marrs (Motley Crue), Slash (Guns n Roses), Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore. As you see it’s a very guitar driven album. It also brings back one Alice’s old co-writer Dick Wagner on “Might As Well Be On Mars” with co-writer Desmond Child and Alice.

Alice creates another anthem song “Hey Stoopid” which is an anti-suicide song. Alice enlist the help of Ozzy Osbourne for the background vocals. Who else would be appropriate since Ozzy was cleared of the suicide case of two stoned out men saying Ozzy used backward masking on his own song “Suicide Solution” If anyone in their right mind would know if you listen to that song it isn’t condoning suicide. Since “Hey Stoopid” had a deep meaning it showed Alice wasn’t always talking about horror and sex.

“Feed My Frankenstein” was song that Zodiac Mindwarp co-wrote and is also a song that appeared in the movie “Wayne’s World”. Although I mention these two songs they aren’t my favorites on this album. Some of the songs I do like are “Might As Well Be On Mars” which I mention earlier that Dick Wagner co-wrote this track. “Dirty Dreams” has Alice playing harmonica which I believe the last time was back on “Generation Landslide” on the 1973 “Billion Dollar Babies” album.

“Wind-Up Toy” Alice returns to the days of being in the padded cell.

But now I’m all smiles
the good little shots must be winning
yes, they crank my dial
my motor is stalling but my wheels are still spinning

Alice also brings back a character from the past at the end of “Wind-Up Toy” you hear a voice calling Steven from “Welcome To My Nightmare” album. Alice did mention that it’s a sort of postcard. Naturally Alice has been thinking of the return of the Steven character.

Artwork: cover art is a show of decadence with two silver arms stretched out one in lace holding gems. The other arm holding a fistful of cash. A skull is in the center wearing Alice’s eye make up and the background is filled with stones, razors, spider and skull pins. The Alice Cooper logo is the same font as on “Trash” with “Hey Stoopid” written over it just like the previous album.

The back cover has full shot of Alice in leather holding a whip out stretched from behind his head. The track list are small on the bottom left corner. Inside is the record sleeve with the lyrics and credits on both sides.

On my CD the booklet opens up like a poster with the picture of Alice on the back cover on one side. The other side is all the lyrics and credit plus a another picture of Alice holding a switchblade in one hand and rose in the other. This pic appears on the back of the booklet when it’s closed.