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#351
22nd July 2016, 06:33 AM
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In 2002, Alice released his 22nd album. 'Dragontown' is another concept album, and a direct sequel to the previous release. 'Dragontown' is described as being the worst place on 'Brutal Planet'. Again, the lyrics on the album were praised by Doug Van Pelt, from the alternative Christian music-oriented HM Magazine, who likened Alice to C.S. Lewis, the author of 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' (and born again Christain), stating that he 'grabs the devil's microphone and attempts to spill his guts and reveal his wicked schemes.' The band used were constant throughout the entire album Alice Cooper - Vocals Ryan Roxie - Guitar Tim Pierce - Guitar Greg Smith - Bass Kenny Aronoff - Drums Bob Marlette - Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Keyboards Producer - Bob Marlette For possibly the first time, all the songs on the album were written by the same writers - Alice Cooper and Bob Marlette. This gave a consistency to the record The opening track is entitled 'Triggerman', and it is a well-paced, guitar-heavy song with a good riff and a very catchy vocal melody 01/12 - Triggerman (Cooper, Marlette) "I ain't got a name, I don't gotta face No fingerprints or DNA I ain't got no eyes, I don't got a tongue But I know what's going on, I'm deaf and dumb I'm pure non-entity Don't even look for me I watch you when you sleep I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'll keep you on your knees I am the brain police I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'm full of dirty tricks I'm twice as smart and certainly twice as sick I am always out of sight, a shadow in the mist I don't need no alibi, 'cause I don't exist I'm pure non-entity Don't even look for me I watch you when you sleep I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'll keep you on your knees I am the brain police I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'm full of dirty tricks I'm twice as smart and certainly twice as sick He's sick, he's sick, he's really, really sick He's sick, he's sick, he's really, really sick He`s really really sick, he`s sick, he`s sick He`s really really sick I'm pure non-entity Don't even look for me I watch you when you sleep I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'll keep you on your knees I am the brain police I am the triggerman I am the underhand I'm full of dirty tricks I'm twice as smart and certainly twice as sick He's sick, he's sick, he's really, really sick He's sick, he's sick, he's really, really sick He's sick, he's sick, he's really, really sick He's sick, he's really, really sick He's sick" This is followed by 'Deeper', which is a slower, 'chugging' metal song. Dark and depressing it might be, but it is also very atmospheric. 02/12 - Deeper (Cooper, Marlette) "We must complete the trip, try not to lose your grip No sight of solid ground and never look straight down Deeper, deeper, deeper, deeper Your claustrophobic brain sucking you down the drain The walls are closing in, the air is getting thin The elevator broke, it went right through the floor It left a burning hole, down and down and down we go We're in a deadly spin, hating this spin we're in We're helpless, panic grows, down and down and down we go Daylight is at an end, you'll never see again You'll soon embrace the sight, this cold eternal light The elevator broke, it went right through the floor It left a burning hole, down and down and down we go We're in a deadly spin, hating this spin we're in Our helpless panic grows, down and down and down we go The elevator broke, it went right through the floor It left a burning hole, down and down and down we go We're in a deadly spin, hating this spin we're in Our helpless panic grows, down and down and down we go The elevator broke, it went right through the floor It left a burning hole, down and down and down we go We're in a deadly spin, hating this spin we're in Our helpless panic grows, down and down and down we go" Demdike@Cult Labs likes this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty  |
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#352
23rd July 2016, 06:51 AM
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The album's title track, 'Dragontown', is another slow and atmospheric song. It has a catchy chorus with a very convincing 'evil' vocal performance from Alice. Musically, it has some subtle and weird Middle-East sounding instrumentation in the background 03/12 - Dragontown (Cooper, Marlette) "Well, here you are lying bleeding on a grimy street See the broken glass sparkling darkly as it cuts your feet Smell the rotting stench, the rancid odor of old cantonese Feel the toxic flames all around you, you can hardly breathe Come with me Come on. I've got something to show you Come on. You thought that it was over Come on. You're really gonna love this Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. We can dig you a hole deep in the ground Bury your soul down in Dragontown We'll be lower than low, spiralin' down Far as you want to go, down in Dragontown Open any door, remember everyone you met before Oh. There's a wicked young man, cooking slowly the frying pan And our family of bones are back together sleeping all alone Then there's Alice, dear, and all the little things that got him here Now you're here Come on. I've got something to show you Come on. You thought that it was over Come on. You're really gonna love this Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. We can dig you a hole deep in the ground Bury your soul down in Dragontown We'll be lower than low, spiralin' down Far as you want to go down in Dragontown We can dig you a hole deep in the ground Bury your soul down in Dragontown We'll be lower than low, spiralin' down Far as you want to go down in Dragontown We can dig you a hole deep in the ground Bury your soul down in Dragontown We'll be lower than low, spiralin' down Far as you want to go down in Dragontown" 'Sex, Death And Money' is a good song. It's evil, sinister and creepy with a menacing drum rhythm and bass pattern. However, for me it's let down by the heavy distorted guitar chords - it works better when it's picking out notes during the chorus 04/12 - Sex, Death And Money (Cooper, Marlette) "Sex, death sex death sex death... When I go to the show all I see on the screen is a stream of pure vulgarity I wrote down a note, I complained for a day to the House of Representatives They laughed in my face, they said "Son, you're a one-in-a-million minority" The name of the game is to titillate the brain, stimulate the immorality I was so offended as I sat for three hours It was mental cruelty, I was so shocked Just a little more flesh Just a little more blood A Little closer to the edge A little deeper in the mud I'll never be the same Sex, death and money, sonny, makes this wicked world go round Sex, death and money, it's the Gospel here in Dragontown Sex, death and money, honey, grease the wheels and make them fly Sex, death and money, sonny, that is why we all are gonna fry Stuck my nose in the door, ended up on the floor in the middle of an nudie show She danced on my lap, acoupla hundred dollars later I was up on a morals rap I was so offended as I sat for three hours It was mental cruelty, I was so shocked Just a little more flesh Just a little more blood A Little closer to the edge A little deeper in the mud I'll never be the same Sex, death and money, honey, grease the wheels and make them fly Sex, death and money, sonny, that is why we all are gonna.. That is why we all are gonna fry That is why we all are gonna fry (sex, death, sex, death,sex, death...) Sex, death and money, it's the Gospel here in Dragontown Sex, death and money, honey, that is why we all are gonna That is why we all are gonna fry (sex, death, sex, death, sex, death, sex..)" Demdike@Cult Labs likes this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#353
24th July 2016, 05:40 AM
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| 'Fantasy Man' is a critique of traditional gender roles. It's a catchy song, and the lyrics are amusing. 05/12 - Fantasy Man (Cooper, Marlette) "I don't drink tea or white chablis I sit around and watch tv Don't send flowers or take showers But I'll be there to pull your weeds Oh yeah I don't read books, I don't french cook Or stroll around in galleries I hate opera, I hate Oprah Don't fill my head with poetry You just want to squeeze my masculinity Why can't you leave it alone Hey, hey I ain't gonna change Hey, hey don't you love it this way Hey, hey I am what I am So please understand, I'm not you fantasy man I don't do dishes and I'm suspicious Of any grown-up man who does I'm homophobic, don't do aerobics Just lay around and catch a buzz You just want to squeeze my masculinity Why can't you leave it alone Hey, hey I ain't gonna change Hey, hey don't you love it this way Hey, hey I am what I am So please understand I'm not you fantasy man Hey, hey I ain't gonna change Hey, hey don't you love me this way Hey, hey I am what I am So please understand I'm not your fantasy man hey hey hey hey hey hey You just want to squeeze my masculinity Why can't you leave it alone Hey, hey I ain't gonna change Hey, hey don't you love me this way Hey, hey I am what I am So please understand I'm not you fantasy man Hey, hey I ain't gonna change Hey, hey don't you love me this way Hey, hey I am what I am So please understand I'm not you fantasy man" The final song on the first side is 'Somewhere In The Jungle', which brings things back to reality - the song, similar to 'Pick Up The Bones' from 'Brutal Planet', is about the genocide in Rwanda. It has a catchy melody and riff, and the guitars are dark, but it flows really well. The sinister atmosphere gives it that extra something! 06/12 - Somewhere In The Jungle (Cooper, Marlette) "There it stands way up high A million bodies piled to the sky Arms and legs, feet and hands Impossible to understand Countless heads, ears and eyes Never hear, never cry Tribal chants, tribal war Tribal death, tribal gore And the scavengers are feeding 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding (somewhere) Not a single soul is breathing 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' (somewhere) And the scavengers are feeding 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding (the rivers will flow with blood) Not a single soul is breathing 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' Listen somewhere in the jungle You can hear the devil laughing Somewhere African genocide Brother kill brother, side by side Wild animals show their teeth And run away in disbelief And the scavengers are feeding 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding (somewhere) Not a single soul is breathing 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' (somewhere) And the scavengers are feeding 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding (the rivers will flow with blood) Not a single soul is breathing 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' (the mothers gonna cry) Listen somewhere in the jungle You can hear the devil laughing Somewhere (Somewhere) Not a single soul is breathing (the rivers will flow with blood) 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' And the scavengers are feeding (the mothers will cry their tears) 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding Not a single soul is breathing (they watch their sons die) 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' Listen somewhere in the jungle You can hear the devil laughing Somewhere (Somewhere) Not a single soul is breathing (the rivers will flow with blood) 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' And the scavengers are feeding (the mothers will cry their tears) 'Cause the killing fields are bleeding Not a single soul is breathing (they watch their sons die) 'Cause the Serengetti's bleedin' Listen somewhere in the jungle You can hear the devil laughing Somewhere"
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#354
25th July 2016, 06:35 AM
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| 'Disgraceland', which opens the second side of the record, is a 1950's pastiche rock and roll song, similar to the 1972 song 'Slick Black Limosine'. Vocally, Alice does his best Elvis impression while singing the song. Lyrically, it's very amusing, unless you are a fan of Elvis, and then it is highly distasteful! As a joke song, the melding of Elvis and hard rock music works better than it did for Dread Zeppelin! 07/12 - Disgraceland (Cooper, Marlette) "I wanna tell you a story, happened long ago About a redneck boy down from tupelo I got the slick black hair, I played a rock guitar I liked to shake my hips, man, then i went too far He ate his weight in country ham Killed on pills and woke in disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland I had a lot of girls, yeah, I had a lot of guns When they found me dead, ow, the whole world was stunned Went to the pearly gates, said, "I'm the hippest thing" And Peter said "Well son, we already got ourselves a king" He lived on southern deep-fried spam, Killed on pills and woke in disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland He finished his short life sweaty and bloated and stoned (A-Hey-Hey) He ruled his domain and he died on the throne No "Yes-Men", no colonel, he went... ...all alone... (Hey, man, that looks like me down there on the floor) I heard the devil cry real loud and clear "You were the big man, there, hejust a sideman here Well, I know your face, and I've heard your name Looks like heaven's loss, gonna be my gain" (I've got plans for you, man) He ate his weight in country ham Killed on pills and woke in disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Disgraceland Well, I woke up, right here in disgraceland Disgraceland, thank you , thank you very much.." Some people have read the following song, 'Sister Sara', as being a sequel to 'Nurse Rozetta' from the 'From The Inside' Album, but I don't see it. It's a strange song. The majority of the song is industrial metal, which for me doesn't work, but then we get to the chorus, which is quieter and more atmospheric, and this works perfectly. Then we get to Alice's vocal performance. Well, he has done rock; he has done metal; he has done ballads; he's even done disco for Goddess sake. Why shouldn't he do rap? As a gimmick, it is fun, but I don't want to listen to Alice Cooper and imagine the singer with a VW badge around his neck, and the band in shorts, prancing around the stage like Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo (which is the picture in my head as I listen to this!) The female vocals are provided by Giovanna Moraga Clayton, who (as a musician) has played with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the New West and Santa Barbara symphonies. 08/12 - Sister Sara (Cooper, Marlette) "Now I don't know but I've been told There's a nun having fun and she lost her soul She's got cash, she got laid Now she's dealin' with me and she gonna get paid She got caught with the bishop She got caught with the abbot Even cardinal sin tried to feed her habit Now we get whores and pimps and skanks But when your judgement came down even he gave thanks [choir] Whatever happened to me Can't remember my name Flying so high on angelic wings Flew too close to the flame Sister Sara It's your penalty for eternity (for eternity) Did you think that you were saved (for eternity) You forget your old identity who you used to be (for eter... sara) Sister Sara So depraved Oh, come O ye faithless, get in line You're gonna drown in the water, turned to wine And you're all going to wallow in your sin and shame You had every opportunity to call His name Don't look surprised, don't be in shock You'll be a lovely little demon in my private stock I'm just doing my job to pull you down 'Cause it's a one way ticket down to Dragontown (Whatever happened to me) You got caught in my web (Can't remember my name) You made your own bed here (Flying so high on angelic wings) And now you must keep me well fed (Flew too close to the flame) You're mine, too bad, You're here for me, you're just here for me Sister Sara It's your penalty for eternity (for eternity) Did you think that you were saved (for eternity) You forget your old identity who you used to be (for eter... sara) Sister Sara So depraved [choir] Moment to moment, hour to hour, for ever and ever [Alice] Time after time after time after time after time (for eternity) Sister Sara It's your penalty for eternity (for eternity) Did you think that you were saved (for eternity) You forget your old identity who you used to be (for eter... sara) Sister Sara So depraved"
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#355
27th July 2016, 05:57 AM
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| 'Every Woman Has A Name' is the ballad of the album. It's another take on 'Only Women Bleed'! Musically, it contains a string arrangement 09/12 - Every Woman Has A Name (Cooper, Marlette) "You were so beautiful Like a child, young and full of life Seems a hundred years ago You saw everything So much more tragedy than good You even watched the world grow cold And even when your world was shakin' Even when your breath was taken Even when your blue eyes turned to gray Small town debutantes and queens Every woman has a name Cocktail waitresses with dreams Every woman has a name And every girl whose love survives A broken heart to stay alive You signed your picture in the frame Every woman has a name You had your love affair Some were perfect but most of them were pain Huh, seems a hundred years ago It took you to the highest hill Left you standing frozen in the rain But you still feel the afterglow And even when your world was shakin' Even when your breath was taken Even when your blue eyes turned to gray Housewives cryin' on the phone Every woman has a name Sacred sisters all alone Every woman has a name And even on the coldest day When the kids are gone, moved away It's lonely now There's no one there to hold your hand and play See it written on the grave Every woman has a name" There is a return to the industrial noise with the next song, 'I Just Wanna Be God', which is sang from the perspective of Satan! Musically it's very 'thick', and it has a fun vocal performance from Alice The video is a fan-made thing, featuring the character of Bakura from the Anime/Manga Yu-Gi-Oh 10/12 - I Just Wanna Be God (Cooper, Marlette) "I'm in control, I got a bulletproof soul And I'm full of self-esteem I invented myself with no one's help I'm a prototype supreme I sit on my private throne And run my lifestyle all alone Me, myself and I agree We don't need nobody else I never learned to bow, bend or crawl To any known authority I really want to build my statue tall That's all I'm just trying to be God I only wanna be God I just wanna be God Why can't I be God I got no time to take advice I want to gamble with my eternity with loaded dice I don't need a preacher in my face When I'm the omnipresent ruler of the human race Ain't gonna spend my life being no one's fool I was born to rock and I was born to rule But if I'm wrong on judgement day I'm royally screwed with hell to pay I never learned to bow, bend or crawl To any known authority I really want to build my statue tall That's all I'm just trying to be God I only wanna be God I just wanna be God Why can't I be God I'm just trying to be God I only wanna be God I just wanna be God Why can't I be God I'm just trying to be God I only wanna be God I just wanna be God Why can't I be God I'm just trying to be God I only wanna be God I just wanna be God Why can't I be God"
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#356
29th July 2016, 06:48 AM
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Thankfully, the distortion pedals were turned off for the penultimate song on the album, 'It's Much Too Late'. Instead of the industrial noise that has been rampant during 'Dragontown', this has more of a slight 60's psychedelic feel and, to my mind, it works much better for it. The lyrics are funny, and Alice sings it straight - it is not an evil sounding song, and because of that, it is one of the best songs on the album 11/12 - It's Much Too Late (Cooper/Marlette) "I never kicked a dog, a child or my wife I never looked at pornography I swear it on my holy saint mother's life But somehow she's down here with me The road to hell is littered with nice guys with good intentions But once you're there, you're there, it's much too late I can cry and scream it's just not fair To leave me here like you don't care There must be some mistake up there in heaven Now it's much too late My time has passed away All my plans and dreams have all ended Now it's much too late To try and plead my case And I don't know the God I've offended It's too late I never stole a thing, a toy or a kiss My conscience is a clear as can be And when I was a teen, all the sex that I missed Was an abstinence blessing to me The road to hell is littered with nice guys with good intentions But once you're there, you're there, it's much too late I can cry and scream it's just not fair To leave me here like you don't care There must be some mistake up there in heaven Now it's much too late My time has passed away All my plans and dreams have all ended Now it's much too late To try and plead my case And I don't know the God I've offended It's too late Now it's much too late My time has passed away All my plans and dreams have all ended Now it's much too late To try and plead my case And I don't know the God I've offended It's too late It's much too late My time has passed away All my plans and dreams have all ended Now it's much too late To try and plead my case And I don't know the God I've offended It's too late It's much to late" The final song, 'The Sentinel' returns to teh industrial sound. It is another 'religious' song, with Alice taking the role of Satan. The atmosphere is dark and sinister, but it is also multi-layered, with a good melody. Vocally, it's another convincing and evil performance from Alice. The Coop. Instead of the industrial noise that has been rampant during 'Dragontown', this has more of a slight 60's psychedelic feel and, to my mind, it works much better for it. The lyrics are funny, and Alice sings it straight - it is not an evil sounding song, and because of that, it is one of the best songs on the album 12/12 - The Sentinel (Cooper/Marlette) "I'm not a Buddha boy I'm not a Muslim man I'm not a Christian or a Jew I'm not a Mormon freak I'm not a Catholic geek And I'm nothing at all like you My mind, my heart, my soul is calm While I sit here soldering my c-2 bomb Got some wires crossed In my twisted head Connect the green wire here or was it red? 'Cause it's my fate I operate on hate I go by many other names but now... I am the sentinel I want the world to know I'm sending you all to hell I'm tired and I'm wired here to blow There's something disturbing going on in my turban I'm home, home on de-range I feel my meditation so deep within While my medication's kicking in 'Cause it's my fate I operate on hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate I go by many other names but now.... I am the sentinel I want the world to know I'm sending you all to hell I'm tired and I'm wired here to blow I am the sentinel I want the world to know I'm sending you all to hell I'm tired and I'm wired here to blow" As seems to be standard for this era, the associated tour, 'Descent Into Dragontown', was split into two legs. The first part, subtitled 'Phase One', was the American tour and it ran between October 1st 2001 and November 9th 2001. The band consisted of: Alice Cooper - Vocals Ryan Roxie - Guitar Eric Dover - Guitar Greg Smith - Bass Eric Singer - Drums Teddy `Zigzag` Andreadis - Keyboards Calico Cooper - Dancer and the setlist for this part was:
The second leg of the tour, 'Phase Two', ran between September 23rd 2002 - December 14th 2002, and started in America, before moving to Russia and Europe. The UK dates were between November 16th and November 26th, and visited London (Wembley), Brighton, Bournemouth, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and Sheffield. By the time the tour had reached Newcastle, Alice was very unwell, and his voice was suffering The touring band for Phase Two consisted of: Alice Cooper - Vocals Pete Friesen - Guitar Eric Dover - Guitar Chuck Wright - Bass Eric Singer - Drums Teddy `Zigzag` Andreadis- Keyboards Calico Cooper - Dancer The basic setlist for Phase Two was:
Originally, the UK dates was envisaged as being a normal Alice Cooper tour, with a single support band - The Wildhearts. However, it was 'hi-jacked', and changed into a touring, indoor version of the Castle Donington 'Monsters of Rock' Festival, featuring three support bands, a compare and a DJ. The Wildhearts were unhappy to discover that Thunder had been placed above them on the bill, and this resulted in them leaving the tour. Various other bands were announced as appearing, including Halford, LA Guns and Cinderella, before the final choice of The Quireboys and Dogs D'Amour was made. This led to several variations of posters and adverts and much confusion as to who was actually playing, with fans of the other bands arriving at the show only to discover, once inside that their band wasn`t playing! There was no DVD released of this tour, however a special tour edition of 'Dragontown' was released during the UK dates. Limited to 7,500 copies, it contained the original album, and also a second album containing 'Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me' (from the Japanese release of 'Brutal Planet'), live versions of 'Go to Hell' and 'The Ballad of Dwight Fry' (from 'Brutally Live'), a remixed version of Brutal Planet and CD-Rom Videos for 'Gimme' and 'It's The Little Things' Demdike@Cult Labs likes this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#357
31st July 2016, 06:39 AM
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Despite not having any new material to promote, Alice was back out on the road, with a brand new show between 27th June - 8th August 2003. The tour, entitled 'The Bare Bones Tour' was just that - a minimal stage set featuring just amps and a backdrop showing the 'Love It To Death' eyes which sometimes had spotlights in the pupils., Few theatrics and just Alice rocking out. For the first time in 30 years, Alice appeared with the 'spider' eye make-up, last seen on the Killer tour The band for this tour consisted of Alice Cooper - Vocals Guitars - Ryan Roxie Guitar - Eric Dover Bass - Chuck Garric Drums - Eric Singer Backing Vocals/Nurse - Calico Cooper The setlist for this tour consisted of:
Although not part of the actual tour, on the 27th June 2003, he appeared at the Del Mar Fair Festival in San Diego. This was a last minute show, where Alice had been asked to stand in for an unwell Meatloaf The tour itself kicked off on 3rd July with a warm up show at the Wolverhampton City Hall, with support from The Darkness. This was followed by an appearance at The Guildfest in Guildford on 4th July, where he appeared with Arthur Lee and Love, The Wildhearts, The Darkness and also Arthur Brown. For Alice, this show was a disaster and a fiasco. Guitarist Eric Dover`s gear wouldn't work with the in-house equipment, causing a 20 minute delay in the start of the show. The problems continued thoughout with Eric getting more and more frustrated, throwing down two guitars and pulling his amps over at the end of 'School's Out' in anger. To make matters worse the organisers had imposed an 11pm curfew, and had scheduled bands right up to that time. This meant Alice wasn't allowed to return for the normal encores ('Poison', 'Elected', 'Disgraceland' and 'Under My Wheels') resulting in a lot of disappointment from the crowd at missing some of the biggest hits. 5th July, the band appeared at the Graspop Festival in Belgium, playing a shorter set, lasting one hour and supporting Iron Maiden and then 6th July saw them back in England, playing at the King Docks in Liverpool as part of the Summer Pops Festival. After that, they returned to the US, playing dates between 12th July - 8th August Justin101 and Demdike@Cult Labs like this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#358
1st August 2016, 08:35 AM
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After the heavy industrial leanings of the previous two albums, Alice changed direction and headed back to the garage for a 'back-to-basics' album of good time hard rock. 'The Eyes Of Alice Cooper', released in 2003, was an album of three minute "hits" that contained songs that were written in the space of a week, and recorded as live Working titles for the album included 'Spirits Rebellious', 'American Idle', 'Man Hole', 'Recipe For Disaster' and 'Man Of The Year' The album was released with four different covers, each one featuring a different colour in Alice's eyes and the crescent around the 'A' in the title. These colours were blue, green, purple and red The band used were constant throughout the entire album Alice Cooper - Vocals Guitars - Ryan Roxie Guitars - Eric Dover Bass - Chuck Garric Drums - Eric Singer Keyboards, Accordion & Percussion. - Teddy Zig Zag Producer - Andrew 'Mudrock' Murdoch This album begins with a hard-rock song called 'What Do You Want From Me' that sounds very much like the songs he used to write and perform in the early '70s. It's a good one, with a catchy vocal melody and loud guitar riffage The co-writer is Mikal Reid, who had previously worked with Mick Jagger 01/13 - What Do You Want From Me (Cooper/Dover/Reid) "I call you every hour on the telephone I work my fingers right down to the bone I even got you a chihuahua so you wouldn`t be alone Got you you a trailer 'bout the size of Maine Bought a mile of interstate in your name I`ve given you everything Baby what do you want from me! I burned all my porno - 'cause you were PMS'n You say it offends you - All that talking it never ends Disconnected my X-Box and ditched all my friends So you can go to the opera. Dumped all my girlfriends - Even the dirty ones You say they annoy you - they wanna destroy you I`m givin` you everything Baby what do you want from me! Got you a picture you can put in a frame Wearing a suit all check and lame I even signed it at the bottom so you`d 'member my name Took you to Target for a birthday meal Got you an autographed buns of steel So what a deal! I`m givin` you everything Baby what do you want from me! Burned all my porno - 'cause you were PMS'n You say it offends you - All that talking it never ends Disconnected my X-Box and ditched all my friends So you can go to the opera. Dumped all my girlfriends - even the dirty ones You say they annoy you - they wanna destroy you I`m givin` you everything Baby what do you want from me! I give you everything Zirconium diamond rings I Gotcha LoJack for your pontiac And some decals on your finger nails And a a bass master, a Singing trout And a TV and a CD And a DVD from QVC And baby what ya think of me! Burned all my porno You say it offends you Disconnected my X-Box Baby what do you want from me! What do you want from me! What do you want from me!" After a good opening song, 'Between High School And Old School' is a bit of a disappointment. Musically it's fun, but it's a bit too pop-metal for my liking The backing vocals are provided by Calico 02/13 - Between High School And Old School (Alice/Dover/Roxie) "Hey Hey Hey Hey I guess I`m a loner I don`t fit in (No...) I ain`t too comfortable in my skin (oh...) An' I don`t play well with the others I`m stuck somewhere between high school and old school I can`t decide between my rules and your rules Hey Hey Hey Hey Nobody wants me hanging round Unless it`s from a tree in the middle of town And I'm out of step with the others I`m stuck somewhere between high school and old school I can`t decide between my rules and your rules I`m stuck somewhere between high school and old school So I defy maybe all rules maybe no rules My clothes don`t make me My hair ain't cut right And I don`t care much No I don`t care at all I guess my brain is out of synch, I think I`m stuck somewhere between high school and old school I can`t decide between my rules and your rules I`m stuck somewhere between high school and old school I can`t decide, I just can`t decide Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey Aw..." Demdike@Cult Labs likes this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#359
2nd August 2016, 06:43 AM
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| 'Man Of The Year' is another fun song. It's more pop-metal, but it's better than the previous one. It has a good melody and funny lyrics, but I think it's over produced and too polished Alice actually has played golf with the President, but that was a long time after this song had been written. Former Vice President Dan Quayle played at the 2005 Alice Cooper Golf Tournament and in 2012, during the Humana Challenge tournament, he played against former President Gerald Ford and former President Bill Clinton. 03/13 - Man Of The Year (Cooper/Dover/Roxie) "I wake up every morning, Six o'clock, I`m right on time I eat a low fat breakfast, I tie a perfect tie I kiss the wife, I hug the kids, I pat the dogs and cats I never lose anything, my car keys or my hat 'Cause I`m the man of the year I`m the man of the year I never cheat at finals, or miss a day at school My urine tests are perfect, my prostate is a jewel 'Cause I`m the man of the year I`m the man of the year 'Cause I`m the man of the year I`m never, ever jealous I'm never, ever cruel I`m a graduate of Harvard Where I never broke the rules The queen made me a knight The pope made me a saint The president plays golf with me I made Madonna faint So why am I so lonely Depressed and in despair If I pull this trigger in my mouth will anybody care It was the greatest funeral, I laid in perfect state And later I will meet the lord, I bet he just can`t wait To meet the man of the year I`m the man of the year Stand in line to meet the man I`m the man, I`m the man, I`m the man" 'Novocaine' is another cute piece of pop-rock, but at at least the lyrics sound like like the Alice of old - evil, bad taste and nasty. Musically, however, it sounds like a 12-year old girls' idea of what a rock band should sound like. This is not a criticism, but at the same time, this is not Alice Cooper 04/13 - Novocaine (Alice/Dover/Roxie) "When I was 10, fell out of bed Got three stitches in my head It hurt like hell I saw the blood, I felt the pain I'd like to feel it once again 'Cause I don’t feel it Then I got stung, right on the face I screamed and ran around the place It hurt like hell I swoll right up, I burned for days I’d like to feel it once again Cause when you touch me When you hold me When you kiss me I don’t feel anything When you touch me When you hold me When you kiss me It’s just like Novocaine I remember every cut and scrape I’ve been numb so long Something’s wrong So I'll take anything I slap my face, I pull my hair Just to see if something’s there It should hurt like hell I miss the pinch, I miss the pain That shock sensation in my brain Cause when you touch me When you hold me When you kiss me I don’t feel anything When you touch me When you hold me When you kiss me I don’t feel anything When you touch me (when you touch me) When you hold me (when you hold me) When you kiss me I don’t feel it When you touch me (when you touch me) When you hold me (when you hold me) When you kiss me It’s just like Novocaine I don’t feel anything I don’t feel it I don’t feel it I don’t feel it Well, I don’t feel it No, I don’t feel it I don’t feel it" Demdike@Cult Labs likes this.
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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#360
3rd August 2016, 04:44 AM
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Despite the title, 'Bye Bye, Baby' is not a traditional ballad. Instead, it's a good, fast paced rocker that is very reminiscent of 70's-era Alice. It's as catchy as anything that they have ever recorded Musically, there is something about this song that reminds me of the Rolling Stones number 'Live With Me' 05/13 - Bye Bye, baby (Cooper/Dover/Roxie) "What`s wrong with you today I could never tell Got something drastic on your mind I can smell the small Honey what`s your trip today Can`t look me in the eye A couple thousand miles away You took me by surprise You left a message on the telephone From New York City, your new home You didn`t like the neighbourhood You really hated Hollywood You said Bye bye baby Bye bye girl Bye bye baby You`re in another world You said my friends are boring You said my house is small You like it fifty stories high You like livin' tall You hate the L.A. freeways You hate the L.A. smog You hate the west coast phonies You like the city dogs I`m confused but I`m not mad Said I`m the worst you`ve ever had I ain`t delusional, or institutional But I`m pretty sure I ain't that bad I said Bye bye baby Bye bye girl Bye bye baby You`re in another world I tried to reach you on your private line You sure ain't calling mine Now I`m sittin' here all alone With a broken heart in three time zones (Bye bye baby) Bye bye baby (Bye bye girl) please answer your phone (Bye bye baby) please check your email (Bye bye girl) Why not your beeper (Bye bye baby) Stick your head out the window Oh... I`m mad as hell Bye bye baby Anyone at home? Hello? Hello? Anybody there? Hello? Pick up?" 'Be With You Awhile', however, IS a traditional Alice ballad. Mind you, at least he's not trying to re-write 'Only Women Bleed' this time! Actually, it's a rather charming song. It's been commented that this is what Radiohead would sound like if they had been recording with The Beatles circa the 'Magical Mystery Tour'! 06/13 - Be With You Awhile (Alice/Dover) "I wish I could tell you something you didn`t know I wish I could give you something you didn`t own I wish I could tell you a joke to make you smile And I could be with you awhile Just wanna be that someone you weren`t looking for Some nameless fascination that showed up at your door And when you`re sad and blue my jokes still make you smile And I could be with you awhile I just want to take you somewhere you haven`t been Find an old time movie where we don`t know the end Lost in the radio, drive another mile So I could be with you awhile I just wanna be that someone you weren't looking for Some nameless fascination that showed up at your door And when you`re sad and blue my jokes still make you smile And I could be with you awhile Tired of serious conversation Tangled up in situations I feel so free 'cause you want nothing from me Just wanna be that someone you weren't looking for Some hopeless vagabond asleep there on your floor And when you`re old and gray my jokes still make you smile And I could be with you awhile I Just wanna be that someone you weren't looking for Some nameless fascination that showed up at your door And when you`re old and gray my jokes still make you smile And I could be with you awhile I just want to be with you awhile I just want to be with you awhile I just want to be with you...."
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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