 ALICE
COOPER
Trash
Epic / CBS Records 1989
www.alicecooper.com
What’s the 4-1-1?
Alice Cooper needs no introduction. Ask any devoted heavy metal fan, and
they'll tell you that Alice started it all. Without him there would be
no WASP, GWAR or Marilyn Manson (to name a few). If there was a line to
be crossed, Alice took a giant leap over it. The eighties however were
not good for the shock rocker. He released two albums that failed to chart
and were marginally popular with fans. It wasn't until 1989 that Cooper
returned to the forefront. Teaming up with uber-producer Desmond Child,
Alice released the highly successful Trash. Not as controversial as some
of his releases, but more of a commercial pop metal effort. An album which
saw the often neglected Cooper receive the MTV notoriety that he so richly
deserved. Unfortunately he had to strip off the make up to do it. (Seems
like I gave him an introduction anyway)
Trash isn't a concept album, but it does have a common theme.....relationships.
Who can forget the ultra-catchy opening lick to "Poison"? A track
in which Alice expresses the dangerous qualities of his woman. "Why
Trust You" continues the story. It's obvious that Alice likes that kind
of woman, because when he takes her into the bedroom, he wants to make a "Spark
in the Dark" and drive her like a hammer on a "Bed of Nails".
It wouldn't be an Alice Cooper relationship if it wasn't a little creepy. "This
Maniac's in Love With You" blurs the line between devotion and obsession.
One of the qualities that helped make Trash a success was Alice's collaborations
with the biggest names in rock. Aerosmith is one of the biggest contributors
as Steven Tyler lends his raspy vocals to the overly sappy power ballad, "Only
My Heart Talking", while drummer Joey Krammer and bassist Tom Hamilton
help out on "Maniac", and Joe Perry shreds away on "House
of Fire". Alice and Jon Bon Jovi express their fondness for trashy women
on the albums title track, and Ritchie Sambora lends his fretwork to "Hell
is Living Without You". It's not surprising that Winger frontman Kip
Winger appears on "I'm Your Gun". The bassist got his start on
the road with Alice Cooper.
The Verdict
Alice Cooper took a chance by releasing such a commercial effort, but it
paid off. Loaded with catchy riffs, memorable lyrics, and repetitive hooks,
Trash is all that metal should be. High profile collaborations only strengthen
the music. One of the few albums I know all the words to. Trash isn't Alice's
best album, but it's the one that put him on MTV and in heavy rotation
on the radio. Finally, Alice was put in the spotlight with most of the
bands he helped influence.
Did you Know?
It's true! Alice Cooper got his name from a session on a Ouija board
Rating:  out
of 5
Related Reviews:
Alice Cooper - The Eyes of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper - Dirty Diamonds
--George Dionne |
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