Jeez it will be 40 years next year since I bought my first albums – one of which was by the man himself – Alice Cooper’s ‘Love It To Death’ – an album that was already 11 years old when I bought it. Alice of course predates that and much as I’ve loved all teh stages of his career some resonate more than others, and for me it’s those early Alice Cooper Band albums that still sound the rawest and the best.
So here we are a few decades later with an album that sonically seems to capture some of those early days and as Alice of course hails from The Motor City the title itself also hints at that. As do the guest appearance by teh likes of MC5’s Wayne Kramer and original Alice Cooper Band members Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith as well as members of his current band and others.
Interestingly we open with a cover of New Yorkers Velvet Underground ‘Rock & Roll’ and a guest slot for Joe Bonamassa. I know it sounds improbable right? An album with Detroit in the title starting out with a cover of New York’s finest and a guest slot from New York State born Bluesman Bonamassa? As it turns out it’s a wonderful track and one of the best here!
Whilst mainly new originals penned by Cooper and long time collaborator from years ago, Bob Ezrin, along with revolving contributors from bands old and new it’s perhaps the covers that shout loudest . MC5’s ‘Sister Anne’ will always be a classic and with Kramer on guitar it gains extra weight and the closing shot of Detroit-born Bob Seger’s ‘East Side Story’ (even if it does sound like Them’s ‘Gloria’) is inspired. It’s also great to hear a take on 90’s band Outrageous Cherry’s very 60’s Psychedelic Pop ‘Our Love Will Change the World’ which strangely really suits Cooper’s delivery.
That’s not to take anything away from the 10 originals which if I’m honest are a mixed bag but more hit than miss. Highlights include the Garage Rocker ‘Go Man Go’ and the danceable ‘$1000 High Heel Shoes.’ This sounds like it was a lot of fun to make and it’s well worth checking out!
7.5/10