“Road,” August 25, 2023

[jacknifejohnny]

It could easily replace any one of …. Disco, Ghouls and What Baby Wants …or all 3 imo

[forglasgowonly]

He also said he wrote “Cold Cold Coffin” for Alice, but Ezrin told him “Alice doesn’t do horror anymore” ????????????

This part worries me more than anything. Given the content of his last 3 albums, I'm inclined to believe Ezrin really did say that.

As someone who's been longing for the return of lyrically twisted/horror Alice in some form - the idea that he won't do 'horror' anymore is pretty, well, horrifying.

Alice is at his best when he combines camp, shock, horror and theatricality. And while I love Road and think it's a blast and I love Paranormal - I really miss the more horror-y side of Alice.

The 'garage rock' Alice is overdone, at this point. It was at its best on The Eyes of Alice Cooper, and it was great on Paranormal. But I'm ready for him to move on.

I was disappointed to read that also. The Horror theme's go right back to the start. Why would he drop that stuff? Ezrin is a tough character to gauge. He clearly holds huge influence over anything he is involved in. I find it all weird and contradictory. He brought back the classic Deep Purple sound, but insisted every song be under 4 minutes, so we never got the great sound AND the band stretching their legs. I fear he has been a roadblock to a properly realised OG album where the weird and unexpected nestle alongside the more commercial numbers. That was the business model from Love it to death. Why not give it another shot?

[Dannorama]

I fear he has been a roadblock to a properly realised OG album where the weird and unexpected nestle alongside the more commercial numbers. That was the business model from Love it to death. Why not give it another shot?

Have you noticed car colors? For years, it's been one of four, across the board. Now, suddenly, it's as if their eyes have been opened. There's Oranges, and Purples, and Greens now available... Same thing with rock music. The "makers" decides what sells, and what doesn't. Now, suddenly, there's much more flavor out there. Let's hope that happens here.

[Babysquid]

Steven Crayn stood out on "Social Debris." For some reason, I kind of overlook guitar solos. Not that one.
[/quote]

He certainly did. Nailed it!

[DeadBaby]

Doing a good job of moving away from the horror recording Monster Mash! it’s surprisingly good if you haven’t heard it yet. The Alice character to me is a horror villain so a real shame if he moved away from that lyrically. Horror does not have to be all splatter…….

[patrick]

I fear he has been a roadblock to a properly realised OG album where the weird and unexpected nestle alongside the more commercial numbers. That was the business model from Love it to death. Why not give it another shot?

been looking and listening once more to Halo On Ice , by Michael Bruce. Refreshing to hear Second Coming,Desperado, My stars, Halo of flies ( be it with different lyrics) .
the song " I miss you" could have been an ACG song imho..

I hope an eventual OG album would not be the classic "greatest hits" like most of the live shows are ..if it ever sees the light of day (which I doubt...)

[Holly Grail]

A friend of mine told me that there is a recent documentary where Alice clearly states that he has been working on a new album with the original band. He also told me that there are some pics from the recording sessions. I don’t have any link for this and sorry if this has been told before. I will soon visit him and check it out. Ι think we will soon be creating a new thread about the new album and stop being off topic here

[Dannorama]

A friend of mine told me that there is a recent documentary where Alice clearly states that he has been working on a new album with the original band. He also told me that there are some pics from the recording sessions. I don’t have any link for this and sorry if this has been told before. I will soon visit him and check it out. Ι think we will soon be creating a new thread about the new album and stop being off topic here

Probably the A&E bio. I watched it online in the USA using my Hulu sign-in.

[patrick]

A friend of mine told me that there is a recent documentary where Alice clearly states that he has been working on a new album with the original band. He also told me that there are some pics from the recording sessions. I don’t have any link for this and sorry if this has been told before. I will soon visit him and check it out. Ι think we will soon be creating a new thread about the new album and stop being off topic here

maybe we should call it...off road !
there were two and a half year between Detroit Stories and Road..so I doubt about an eventual album coming soon. But after (re)reading the topic on A§E , well there might be more hope, either for a participation of the OG's or a real full (new) album.Time will tell I guess.

[Holly Grail]

https://wealthoncapital.com/2024/09/18/ ... Ju8PrTLWOQ

[Si]

https://wealthoncapital.com/2024/09/18/ ... Ju8PrTLWOQ

This looks like AI click bait. There have been no announcements that I've seen, and the article lists no specifics like tour title or album title. Even the title "..Returns to the stage" is weird considering he only left the stage a few hours ago!

[Holly Grail]

Yes, probably!

[SickThings]

I get a "download Java update" page over the top of the "article." Clearly bogus crap.

[Si]

https://wealthoncapital.com/2024/09/18/ ... Ju8PrTLWOQ

Confirmed it's made up rubbish. Ignore it.

[cooperrocks]

Several thoughts here. In regards to Alice and new horror songs, the last three albums definitely seem to lead toward their being something validity regarding Alice doing darker songs. Look I get it. Times change and certainly people's perspective on things and subjects they want to write about change. But Alice's entire career is based on the Alice character. The curtain was pulled many years ago. We know what a great, intelligent guy Alice is. He's an amazing dude. But the character on stage is based on a gothic image. In his shows, he still dressed in black, wears makeup, and still does things like the guillotine and the straight jacket. That is what he is known for.

And let's face it, people don't buy albums much anymore. I still do and many of you buy physical products as well but its slim pickings for most artists in terms of sales. Those that still buy Alice albums want at least a few "Alice" character songs. When Alice did his The Eyes of Alice Cooper album for example. It wasn't a dark album by any stretch really but he did throw in "This House is Haunted." I loved that song but whether someone did or not, the theme and the music behind it definitely was what the average person would expect in an Alice song. I would also argue there is a way to stay in character and please fans simply by doing darker songs in a different way. Take the album Brutal Planet. The theme was a world where technology has taken over, the world had become a Godless society, the planet basically had lost all hope. I am a person of faith as Alice is (not trying to getting into a religious discussion here just making a point) and a world without hope and God for me is a very humbling shocking thought. In other words, you are still covering some thought provoking dark themes. And though it wasn't a huge selling Alice album it got strong reviews and many Alice fans consider it Alice's best album this century. Heavy songs with heavy dark themes, all in Alice character. You can do those sort of things.

And of course people keep talking about an original band full length album. I have been one of the ones and I know some disagree with me, but I come from the mindset "You can't do home again." In other words, it has been decades and anything new would be compared to that era. If a new band album comes out is it going to be allowed by Ezrin and company to really be a true original band album. The songs on recent albums that involved the original guys were okay songs, but nothing that really stood out. There were plenty of songs they weren't involved in that were just as good or better (That's not a criticism toward anyone). I personally don't want an original band album if the band isn't going to be allowed to do something that sounds like an original band album. Case and point, Dennis Dunaway did a wonderful album years ago called "Bones on the Yard." Amazing songs and it sounded like it could be the sister of an ACG album. It was modern enough for the time period it came out yet it had shades of the original sound.

I know this is long but in closing, the new Alice albums are good albums and I am actually as a whole an even bigger solo Alice fan than original band fan (though I love those too) but the garage rock sound has been worn out. There is an element of sameness to them, none of the songs are bad but not much stands out either, they are kind of predictable sterile albums. Good albums but something you listen to the first month when it comes out and then you put it on the shelf and it may be a year before you listen again. Road isn't a bad album but of course we all were fired up about the amazing current touring band playing on it because we know how great they are. Yet when the album came out it was just another garage rock album. The playing is good on it but the band wasn't allowed to branch and shine. Listen to some of Chuck's Beasto Blanco lyrics. Some of the stuff he writes is absolutely the kind of themes and songs you want from Alice. Dark themes in some places but nothing offensive, nothing controversial.

[Dannorama]

Nice words, Cooperrocks. The one word you left out is “theatrical.” I fully agree that the garage sound has now been done. Repeatedly. It’s understandable why that feel/sound can be so persuasive, but I hope they’ve scratched that itch. Besides, not everyone shares that garage-y point of view. My personal tastes are based on the more elaborate, almost orchestrative moods that the OGs created in the early 70s. Alice leaned hard on this aspect for his first two solo records, but then we went to Vaudeville and never looked back. After 1977, everything seemed like it was played for laughs. “Black Juju” wasn’t funny at all. Neither was “Halo” or “My Stars.” I’m glad that I still have those albums to rock out to, but time marches on. I am also very aware of how lucky we all are to still be anticipating new music. Whatever comes next, I am sure to be first in line.

[cooperrocks]

Nice words, Cooperrocks. The one word you left out is “theatrical.” I fully agree that the garage sound has now been done. Repeatedly. It’s understandable why that feel/sound can be so persuasive, but I hope they’ve scratched that itch. Besides, not everyone shares that garage-y point of view. My personal tastes are based on the more elaborate, almost orchestrative moods that the OGs created in the early 70s. Alice leaned hard on this aspect for his first two solo records, but then we went to Vaudeville and never looked back. After 1977, everything seemed like it was played for laughs. “Black Juju” wasn’t funny at all. Neither was “Halo” or “My Stars.” I’m glad that I still have those albums to rock out to, but time marches on. I am also very aware of how lucky we all are to still be anticipating new music. Whatever comes next, I am sure to be first in line.

Good thoughts on your end as well. I definitely still get excited for a new Alice album. I know some disagree with me but I actually loved W2MN. To me, as you stated there is some element of being theatrical. I am not sure everything worked as well as the original Welcome To My Nightmare album but it was diverse and there was some great stuff on there and the effort was there and parts of it was clever. In my opinion, what Ezrin needs to realize is radio isn't a factor, most older artists simply aren't going to get new stuff played much no matter how good it is. So the question is how do you please a good portion of those who are still buying albums, keep it modern enough where there is at least an attempt at being competitive and attracting a new fan or two if possible, and something that just rocks. If you do a full-length original band album then that means as you said something that has almost orchestrative modes, some dark themes, dark humor, etc.. That was the original band sound and you have let the entire band when it comes to writing lyrics, sounds, etc breathe and not put a ton of limitations on it. If you do an album with the current touring band, you let them play to their strengths. For example, Ryan Roxie is great at that old school 70s style and some glam. I think a lot of Alice fans enjoy that style. Chuck Garric lots some heavier and darker mode themed stuff and is great at writing those types of songs. Again I think Alice fans would enjoy that. Nita Strauss is great at shredding and some amazing solos. Let her throw in some face melting solos in the middle of some of those songs. You get something high energy that appeals to many different eras of Alice fans. Instead what you have, as I said before are albums that aren't bad. They are good decent but somewhat sterile safe albums. Since 2000, what are the newer Alice albums I still listen to a lot. Brutal Planet, The Eyes of Alice Cooper, and W2MN. A good heavy dark themed Alice album, the highest energy garage rock album, and probably the most diverse album of the century. All three albums were trying something different. The other albums aren't bad but I rarely visit them. Just my two cents.

[HORRORHOLIC]

At least Raise Your Fist was cheesy because it was a cheesy 80s hair metal album.

Constrictor and Trash are hair metal. RYFAY is heavy metal, and is the furthest thing from pop-rock aka hair metal. Thye Nightmare Returns and Live In The Flesh were also heavy metal, no-one in their right mind would call it hair metal..

Exactly!!

[HORRORHOLIC]

I just wish Ezrin wouldn't be involved with Alice's career anymore. Under My Bed was the 1st song Alice did for W2MN and was what thecalbum should have been, but Ezrin turned it into a Weird Al sounding parady album and the whole "Alice doesn't do horror anymore" is likely because of him. I still think Alice could make an amazing album and even another concept album if he would work with someone like Rick Rubin. Ezrin really seems to hold Alice and the band back and I'm not sure Alice can see that.

[Marcelocooper]

I just wish Ezrin wouldn't be involved with Alice's career anymore. Under My Bed was the 1st song Alice did for W2MN and was what thecalbum should have been, but Ezrin turned it into a Weird Al sounding parady album and the whole "Alice doesn't do horror anymore" is likely because of him. I still think Alice could make an amazing album and even another concept album if he would work with someone like Rick Rubin. Ezrin really seems to hold Alice and the band back and I'm not sure Alice can see that.

I do understand Alice's trust in Ezrin, but I gotta agree, he needs to work with other people.
That trust has come to a point that since W2MN all of Alice's works are actually Ezrin's work, and always the same recipe, aways the same sound.
Even HV albuns have more Alice than Alice's now albuns, IMO, in the sense of diversity and edgeness.

I think that because Alice trusts him too much, he just keeps doing the same thing.