ALICE COOPER RETURNS WITH HIS 21ST SOLO ALBUM
Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories
I can’t understand why “big” publications feel the need to review someone like Alice Cooper’s new album Detroit Stories, just to crap on it. You have these sites that consistently cover other forms of rock music. But once a big-name hard rock or metal artist releases something, well then it’s time to defecate all over their work.
What’s the point? Hey look what we cover is superior to that dumb form of rock you listen to. Seeing people complain about this album’s diversity is just stupid. Have you not followed Alice’s career to realize this is the same person that’s put out “Caught In A Dream”, “Clones”, “Poison” and “Brutal Planet”? All different, all great, all Alice.
Sure, Alice is Alice, but he’s always found a different way to paint the picture he’s trying to convey. That can be via lyrics, the style of music he infuses, or how an album sounds sonically.
This album has been set up to tell a tale about the essence of Detroit rock. Alice has mixed in a series of covers, which he has made his own, and original material to get his story across.
Alice is known for delivering a great stage performance. Whether it’s a full-blown Alice show with all of the accouterments he’s known for. Or it’s opening for other artists and blowing them off stage, he’s always brought it live. There is everything from hard rock to blues and jazz mixed in on this album. As alluded to above, it helps paint the perfect visual picture of Alice’s lyrics. Because of this, I could easily see the entire album being played out on stage.
Could this be a good album to get a new listener into Alice? Perhaps, because it shows off his diversity. Will this album help some elitist snob change their opinion on Alice or hard rock or metal? Probably not. But, if you’re a die-hard, I’m hard-pressed to think you won’t be checking this album out.
Check out Alice Cooper covering the Lou Reed classic “Rock & Roll” off of Detroit Stories:
Iotunn – Access All Worlds
There are really very few limits to this Danish band’s sound. The seven tracks off of the band’s latest release range from 4:40 to 13:47. The reason I bring that up is that although the tracks are long, these compositions don’t necessarily feel long.
You have other bands that just meander and call something prog. The tracks off of Access All Worlds seem to have a purpose and are meticulously and thoughtfully planned out.
From Patron J.W.:
I bloody love this. It’s excellent, very atmospheric, well-produced. I like the sound and the vocalist is like an 80s gothic/indie type when not growly.
Here’s Iotunn with “The Weaver System” off of Access All Worlds:
Evergrey – Escape Of The Phoenix
This is the Swedish band’s 12th studio album. While the band’s previous three albums were a conceptual trilogy, Escape Of The Pheonix is a byproduct of the pandemic.
While recording this album, the band was able to sit down and write and record it straight through without the usual stops and starts that come from having to play shows or other things that interfered during the pre-COVID world. As a result, the band has been able to deliver a much more refined, and straight-to-the-point album when comparing Escape Of The Pheonix to albums like Hymns For The Broken, The Storm Within, and The Atlantic.
Evergrey has been around since the 90s and enjoys having a die-hard following that will no doubt be picking this album up.
Here’s Evergrey with “The Beholder” featuring Dream Theater’s James LaBrie:
HERE ARE SOME OTHER RELEASES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
Melvins – Working With God
NOFX – Single Album
Steve Lukather – I Found The Sun Again
Moonspell – Hermitage
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – Sleazy Action
Epica – Omega
Anneke van Giersbergen – The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest
Architects – For Those That Wish To Exist
Bonfire – Roots
Wizard – Metal In My Heart
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – L.W.
Sister – Vengeance Ignited
Einherjer – North Star
Jarhead Fertilizer – Product Of My Environment
Ominous Rain – Amidst Voices That Echo In Stone
Cortége – Chasing Daylight
A Better Hand – Cheap Smokes And Champagne
EP
Of Mice & Men – Timeless
REISSUES
The Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker 30th Anniversary Edition
Melvins – Gluey Porch Treatments Vinyl
Melvins – Hostile Ambient Takeover Vinyl
Einherjer – Dragons Of The North
COMPILATIONS
Kreator – Under The Guillotine Box Set
Helstar – Clad In Black
