The Alice Cooper album of the Day: MUSCLE OF LOVE
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:14 pm
Original 1982 Review: This was the first album the Coopers did when they were successful that mostly...died. Maybe because there were no killers/psychopaths on it except for "Crazy Little Child", a total waste of vinyl and time. Before its release, Alice had stated he didn't want to make another album like "Alice Cooper" and to keep playing the image around a little more, so as a result, this LP is sort of inconsistent.
Well, however inconsistent it may be, the usual goods are delivered. "Never Been Sold Before" with its lyrics of a prostitute rebelling against her pimp is first rate with excellent guitar playing to back it up. "Working Up A Sweat" also has great axework as does the title track and the album closer "Woman Machine". The standout for me is "Hard Hearted Alice", a possible predecessor to "Only Women Bleed" with Alice crooning in a John Lennon-ish intonation the ups/downs of being "Alice Cooper" and touring over beautiful organ/acoustic guitar before jumping into fine driving rock.
"Big Apple Dreaming (Hippo)" is okay, but the violins throughout destroy the funny story of young Ohio hicks planning to conquer New York City-Aerosmith must have listened to this for it sounds a lot like the riff and drum beat were sped a bit for "Walk This Way". "The Man With The Golden Gun" and "Teenage Lament '74" suffer from background vocals from Liza Minelli and Ronnie Spector-fine artists, true, but not for these guys.
In closing, MUSCLE OF LOVE isn't great, but it's pretty good. Give it a chance if you missed it last time.***
Now: Another album that has aged well for me and doesn't seem to get the credit it should-even Alice all but dismisses it these days. Consider what it had going against it: An incredible four album run including BILLION DOLLAR BABIES before it, the so cheesy cardboard box container, no Bob Ezrin (although the production by Jacks Richardson and Douglas is fine), a seriously burned out band that needed a break and a December tour in the brutally cold Midwest and upstate New York for the most part.
Even with these obstacles, the guys pulled another winner out. Neal's drumming is great throughout, especially on "Woman Machine", "The Man With The Golden Gun" SHOULD have been used for the movie as it follows the story (even at 14, I picked up on it), "Never Been Sold Before" is fab with the guitars (especially that second one) and the cool horn section, Alice was dipping into TRASH territory years before the fact with "Working Up A Sweat" and "Muscle Of Love" and "Hard Hearted Alice " still sounds as good today as it did my first time in 1976. Still not crazy about "Crazy Little Child", but give credit for trying something different.
So, lets give this MUSCLE a lot of love with a ***** and a salute to my favorite band for the following reasons:
1-Throughout their career, they always looked cool and despite the somewhat scary side to their material, there was always a sense of humor which I love. Also, you can't forget those amazing rocking performances.
2-They had great chemistry together and a unique sound all their own even if there were several bands that were technically "better" I'll listen to an ACG before Blood Sweat and Tears or Yes albums despite the superior musicianship because the SONGS were better.
3-Led Zeppelin is the only band outside of ACG where I like every album, although the first two Zeps are one's I'll reach for last. I love every ACG album, even PRETTIES as it's not bad and they certainly improved on that. Many of other bands I like such as KISS, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, The Who, Rush, Aerosmith etc have released classic albums as well as some horrendous efforts
4-They went out on a high note , playing in front of thousands in Brazil and although I had always hoped for a reunion, sadly most reunions don't live up to the hype or the past(KISS is a perfect example of this) and it's sad to see what was once great not be so great anymore. Except for poor Glen, they all stayed active and although Alice had the greatest success being the singer/frontman, I enjoy very much what the rest of the guys have put out. At least there's no real bitterness (how sad to read the rancor between the Beatles and Black Sabbath) and they all seem friendly towards one another as well as working together now and then. Also, they still seemed blessed with good health unlike a lot of their peers from that era who didn't pass away (Kudos to Alice for staying on the wagon and Dennis getting a leg up on his Crohn's Disease. I worry about Mike as he is so heavy and wish he would shed some pounds for his health).
5-Most importantly, they all were nothing but nice to me when I met them (I felt like a teenager when I first met Mike Neal and Dennis, although I was cooler the second time), posing for pictures, signing things, answering questions they had probably already answered a 1000 times before and some fun conversation (especially with Dennis and Cindy). It made me love them more and be a bigger fan. I truly wish I could have met Glen-he would probably have had a lot of fun at the conventions and at least things were on an uphill swing for him before he passed-his engagement to Lori, his TV show and playing with his friends/bandmates one last time. Check out the photos and footage of the Area 51 show-how happy he looks! Whenever I visit my brother in Kansas City MO, I think I will take a road trip to Clarion IA to visit Glen's grave, pay my respects and probably have another good cry.
Well, however inconsistent it may be, the usual goods are delivered. "Never Been Sold Before" with its lyrics of a prostitute rebelling against her pimp is first rate with excellent guitar playing to back it up. "Working Up A Sweat" also has great axework as does the title track and the album closer "Woman Machine". The standout for me is "Hard Hearted Alice", a possible predecessor to "Only Women Bleed" with Alice crooning in a John Lennon-ish intonation the ups/downs of being "Alice Cooper" and touring over beautiful organ/acoustic guitar before jumping into fine driving rock.
"Big Apple Dreaming (Hippo)" is okay, but the violins throughout destroy the funny story of young Ohio hicks planning to conquer New York City-Aerosmith must have listened to this for it sounds a lot like the riff and drum beat were sped a bit for "Walk This Way". "The Man With The Golden Gun" and "Teenage Lament '74" suffer from background vocals from Liza Minelli and Ronnie Spector-fine artists, true, but not for these guys.
In closing, MUSCLE OF LOVE isn't great, but it's pretty good. Give it a chance if you missed it last time.***
Now: Another album that has aged well for me and doesn't seem to get the credit it should-even Alice all but dismisses it these days. Consider what it had going against it: An incredible four album run including BILLION DOLLAR BABIES before it, the so cheesy cardboard box container, no Bob Ezrin (although the production by Jacks Richardson and Douglas is fine), a seriously burned out band that needed a break and a December tour in the brutally cold Midwest and upstate New York for the most part.
Even with these obstacles, the guys pulled another winner out. Neal's drumming is great throughout, especially on "Woman Machine", "The Man With The Golden Gun" SHOULD have been used for the movie as it follows the story (even at 14, I picked up on it), "Never Been Sold Before" is fab with the guitars (especially that second one) and the cool horn section, Alice was dipping into TRASH territory years before the fact with "Working Up A Sweat" and "Muscle Of Love" and "Hard Hearted Alice " still sounds as good today as it did my first time in 1976. Still not crazy about "Crazy Little Child", but give credit for trying something different.
So, lets give this MUSCLE a lot of love with a ***** and a salute to my favorite band for the following reasons:
1-Throughout their career, they always looked cool and despite the somewhat scary side to their material, there was always a sense of humor which I love. Also, you can't forget those amazing rocking performances.
2-They had great chemistry together and a unique sound all their own even if there were several bands that were technically "better" I'll listen to an ACG before Blood Sweat and Tears or Yes albums despite the superior musicianship because the SONGS were better.
3-Led Zeppelin is the only band outside of ACG where I like every album, although the first two Zeps are one's I'll reach for last. I love every ACG album, even PRETTIES as it's not bad and they certainly improved on that. Many of other bands I like such as KISS, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, The Who, Rush, Aerosmith etc have released classic albums as well as some horrendous efforts
4-They went out on a high note , playing in front of thousands in Brazil and although I had always hoped for a reunion, sadly most reunions don't live up to the hype or the past(KISS is a perfect example of this) and it's sad to see what was once great not be so great anymore. Except for poor Glen, they all stayed active and although Alice had the greatest success being the singer/frontman, I enjoy very much what the rest of the guys have put out. At least there's no real bitterness (how sad to read the rancor between the Beatles and Black Sabbath) and they all seem friendly towards one another as well as working together now and then. Also, they still seemed blessed with good health unlike a lot of their peers from that era who didn't pass away (Kudos to Alice for staying on the wagon and Dennis getting a leg up on his Crohn's Disease. I worry about Mike as he is so heavy and wish he would shed some pounds for his health).
5-Most importantly, they all were nothing but nice to me when I met them (I felt like a teenager when I first met Mike Neal and Dennis, although I was cooler the second time), posing for pictures, signing things, answering questions they had probably already answered a 1000 times before and some fun conversation (especially with Dennis and Cindy). It made me love them more and be a bigger fan. I truly wish I could have met Glen-he would probably have had a lot of fun at the conventions and at least things were on an uphill swing for him before he passed-his engagement to Lori, his TV show and playing with his friends/bandmates one last time. Check out the photos and footage of the Area 51 show-how happy he looks! Whenever I visit my brother in Kansas City MO, I think I will take a road trip to Clarion IA to visit Glen's grave, pay my respects and probably have another good cry.
Was a Journalism major in College, but flunked out. Have done some writing for local papers and for a few fansites, notably CREEPYCLASSICS.COM (which mainly deals with older horror films), but nothing along AMUK lines. Just writing about things I love...
Thanks for jogging that old memory! 