The Good
For his latest album Cooper decides to go the concept route. The story revolves
around a murderous psychopath named Spider, who wraps his female victims
in silk. What is truly bizarre is that Spider removes one leg from each
victim in his quest for eight legs. Things start to get complicated as
Spider falls in love with his eighth potential victim. There's also a shocking
twist at the end.
"I Know Where You Live" immediately establishes the kind of character
Spider is. He's watching his victims in the car, he's in their house enjoying
their
prized possessions, and he's following their every step. Fuzzy riffs and
guitar runs set the soundtrack for "Vengeance is Mine." "Wake
the Dead" has a classic Cooper vibe as he explores more of the demented
psyche of Spider. "Wrapped in Silk" is creepy and sinister as Spider
picks out his pray. On "Killed By Love" Spider starts having second
thoughts about one of his victims. The track has a ballad feel. "The
One That Got Away"
is a heavy rocker that makes you wonder if it was the one Spider loves that
got away, or his next victim. "I Am the Spider" brings this horror
tale to it's conclusion with a happy ending of sorts that's met with a classic
movie
twist.
The iTunes version of the album includes three bonus tracks; "Shadow of
Yourself," "I'll Still Be There," and "Salvation" (unplugged with string
section).
The Bad
I wish iTunes offered a booklet on this one.
The Verdict Along Came a Spider is presented as a musical horror movie. The sound is
far from modern, but that's what makes it work. The sound is reminiscent
of a 70s vinyl rock record that synchs perfect with classic horror pictures
of that period (Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Maniac come to mind). It's
dark, macabre, and eerie. Another feather in the cap of the Legendary Alice
Cooper.
ALICE
COOPER
out
of 5
