Alpha (Limited Edition/+DVD) - alice nine.

Advantages: Some fine moments
Disadvantages: Patchy

...I didn't bother with the "free" comic-book associated with this release, despite it apparently being "essential to fully appreciate this concept album" (or so the marketing would have us believe) as it appeared to be two or three quid dearer than the CD on its own. And anyway even a concept album should stand up on its own without any knowledge of the plot. This is actually rather short for such a release at only 51 minutes, and starts quietly with "Sideshow" and "Nothing's Free" both a bit light on the old guitars, before "Lost in America" bursts forth with its heavier axe sound and hilarious lyrics ("I can't go to school because I haven't got a gun" - only in America!) The clumsily-titled "Bad Place Alone" follows, then "You're My Temptation"'s slow riffs and growling vocals turns back the clock to vintage Alice. "Unholy War... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...on 25 April 1975, with a huge 47-date tour of North America following. That show is itself avaliable now on DVD. The slow and sleazy title track has a fab slithering bassline and spoken-word lyrics. "Welcome to my nightmare.....I think you're gonna like it....I think you're gonna feel, you belong...." When I saw Alice at Reading in 1987 this was played fast and was very heavy, nothing at all like the version on the album. Devils Food and The Black Widow intermingle with each other. On its own Devils Food is not very good but it complements The Black Widow perfectly, this has Vincent Price, the famous English horror film star, essaying just what the spider means to him and how it will rise to take over the earth!! Great stuff and Alice reminds us that we'll all be "humanary stew, if we don't pledge allegiance to... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Album
Disadvantages:

...After the Muscle of Love album the original Alice Cooper group disbanded. Welcome to my nightmare was Alices first solo album and one of his best. The tour was more theatrical than past attempts and Alice new this album had to sell well to make a profit. It did and became Alices solo double platinum album. Alice plays on the schizophrenic side of his character and creates a more inncocent version of Alice named Stephen, innocent that is until he murders his beloved. The album contains :- 1. Welcome To My Nightmare (Brilliant keyboard work, this song was a major hit) 2. Devils Food (This song is a lead up to The Black Widow) 3. The Black Widow (A metal song, great riffs, a cameo by Vincent Price as the musuem curator also appears, great shock rocker) 4. Some Folks (This sounds like a broadway number but it fits in well... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful