The Last Temptation
And Alice’s last official vinyl album which was only in limited supply. This also is one of the most underrated albums to be released since “DADA” It was produced by three producers Andy Wallace (one of the best), Don Fleming for Instant Mayhem, and Duane Baron and John Purdell (I know that’s four but the last two worked together). Also the last recording with Epic label.

In 1979, Bob Dylan release his most Christian album "Slow Train Coming" which caused stirs in the music business among his fans.
In 1994, Alice moves into a moral aspect theme and this will be a new stage that Alice will be heading into for now. Being raise in a religious family Alice has biblical references as far back as his first album. What do you think "Fields of Regret" was about in "Pretties For You" album? But this will be not just one or two songs it will be the major theme of the album. “The Last Temptation” can be viewed on different levels and you don’t have to take it as a repentance album. Temptation comes in many forms spiritually and physically. This is taking Alice back to doing a concept albums since last one was in 1979 “From The Inside” album.

Alice also reprises the Steven character from “Welcome To My Nightmare” days. Steven is a teenager now dealing with temptations that typical teenagers are bound to come across which are basically pare pressure in the three basic themes sex, drugs, and money. Alice also collaborates with writer Neil Gaiman who’s known for his graphic novels most noted “The Sandman”. What they both came up with was a Three part comic book. The comic book illustrations are done by Michael Zulli. The first issue would be included with purchase of the CD, cassette or album. The other two issues you would have to go to your local comic book shop. The comic book comes across more on a higher level of temptation as the songs are written could be interpreted on both spiritual and physical realms. Some of Alice’s guest who co-wrote were Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees), Jack Blades (Damn Yankees), Brian Smith (Beat Angels).

“Sideshow” written by Alice and The Beat Angels gives the carnival atmosphere as in “Years Ago” from “Welcome To My Nightmare” album.
I can’t help but think of Dylan especially the “and the hunchback midget and his twisted friends” line.

and the hunchback midget and his twisted friends
offer me a world of thrills that never end

“Lost In America” is so simply written it reminds me of an Iggy Pop song

I can’t get a girl cuz I ain’t got a car
I can’t get a car cuz I ain’t got a job
I can’t get a job cuz I ain’t got a car

Two songs written by Chris Cornell are “Stolen Prayer” and “Unholy War”. Alice altered some lyrics on “Stolen Prayer” which made it as co-writer. “Stolen Prayer” is an excellent song and Cornell’s background vocals give it that extra feel to it.

you showed me your paradise
and your carnival of souls
but my heart keeps telling me
that's ain't the place to go
well, I'm not invincible
so I want you to leave
well, I'm so convincible
but have I been deceived

Alice includes a ballad “It’s Me” which is very well written but it doesn’t fit the concept of the album or story line with the Steven character. The chorus part of “it’s me, it’s me” reminds me so much of a Moody Blue song. But with that aside if you just listen to it an appreciate it as a good piece of music.

The final song “Cleansed By Fire” which Steven triumphs his temptation.

I don’t know but I’ve been told
the streets of hell are paved with gold
crazy, crazy
you told me that’s nothing’s free
except my own insanity
crazy, maybe

What’s great about this album is you can play any song and it stands up on it’s own as well as in the story. If you check my book review section it will give you a more detail explanation of the graphic novel.

Artwork: The last official vinyl album by Alice Cooper. An excellent cover by artist Dave McKean who is known for his collage work and worked with Neil Gaimen on a number of projects. McKean also worked on a number of musicians covers like Counting Crows “This Desert Life”, Life Of Agony “Soul Searching Sun” and Keith Caputo “Died Laughing” (btw the last two are excellent CDs) to name a few.

So “The Last Temptation” cover gives that sideshow mystery with Alice’s face in the middle and odd images circle around him. As written in “The Illustrated Collector’s Guide To Alice Cooper” by Dale Sherman it’s stated that the Japanese writing in the upper right hand corner translate as: “Honored by being viewed by the Emperor three times,” “Nothing like it in the world” and roughly “Stupendous illusions.”

The back cover is also by McKean as of a metal ring skewered what looks to be road maps and some other abstract images. Alice’s eye with the make up is in the middle of the ring. The song titles are listed top to bottom on the left side with producing credits on top right.

Inside sleeve has on one side an except of a page from the comic book where Steven enters the old theatre and meets Mercy. This is in black & white. As the other side has the lyrics and credits on background image of a blurred Alice face and other texture images.

Also the album, CD and cassette all came with the first issue of the comic book. Which was the same image as on the album. The comic book store had a different cover art for the first issue. Again more on that in the Book Review section.