Alice Cooper - Along Came A Spider
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Free Music Notes for Along Came A Spider
Free Music Review: A light-hearted dark side
Hit: 4 Stars
I have been a fan of Alice Coopers since I was a very small child and have tried to listen to all of his albums. I too have some I like more than others but I have always had a soft spot for Steven since Welcome to My Nightmare and stronger tracks from Raise Your Fist and Yell. When I learned of Steven being the center character for ACAS, I decided I had to purchase this one. After listening to it several times I was taken back in the dark lyrics to Stevens first arrival, especially with the last track, but the music wasn't as dark as our first encounters years ago. Steven started off young and inexperienced and now is much older and wiser, where the original introduction was music that sounded like he was always just on the outside of your vision in the shadows, he is now standing in front of you basking in his sheer power and ability to contain you against your will and no one the wiser.
The songs do have a storyline to them, so I have to disagree with others, including parts of stories from other albums. But, sadly, I have to agree that some songs do seem a little too light-hearted, almost a Mary Poppins homicidal song when he truly seems to delight in his psychosis. I mean that in no disrespect, if you have a dark sense of humor, you too may enjoy the change in song style to match the change in Stevens state of mind.
Not my favorite album, Welcome to My Nightmare, but a nice return to what makes us enjoy being a fan, a return to the Macabre.
Free Music Review: Coop still rocks hard with dark humor on his 25th album
Hit: 4 Stars
The Last Temptation
Anyone who enjoys hard rock with hooky melodies should buy this and crank it loud. It sounds modern but it has alot of the classic Cooper sound. Some of the songs remind me of his work from Killer and Love it to Death. Standout tracks are Vengeance is Mine, The One that Got Away, Catch Me if You Can, Wake the Dead, Killer by Love, and Salvation. The artwork is the best since his Last Temptation album (buy that too). It reminds me of horror movie posters from the 50s and 60s.
I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the production. Alice still has his trademark voice, the band rocks, and the concept is good but I wish it was produced by Bob Ezrin (who produced most of Cooper's best works). He would've given it that certain something extra.
I hope this does well for Alice and more people become fans after hearing this CD, because he is a legend and really deserves it. His influence is seen in all kinds of music and performances but few (including the R'nR Hall of Fame) will admit that. Based on the Amazon sales rankings as I write this perhaps it will sell well.
Buy it and play it loud or the Spider will get you!
Free Music Review: Can't Take My Ears Off It
Hit: 4 Stars
I don't know if anyone will love "Spider" right out of the box. There are no catchy anthems, no "School's Out" or "No More Mr. Nice Guy", and there are no theatrical extravaganzas ala "Dead Babies", "Dwight Fry", "Years Ago/Steven", and "I Love the Dead." But it is a theme album, and nobody does it better than Alice.
The first 3 tracks are the strength of the disc. "Wake the Dead" is easily the cream of the album. What a great song! "Killed By Love" is a nice ballad in the "Only Women Bleed" vein, and sounds a lot like a later John Lennon song, only without the simple-minded sappiness.
You have to keep listening to let the rest of the disc sink in to really appreciate how good it is. "Wrapped in Silk" is a standout, and seems destined to become a stage classic, as I believe there is a lot of opportunity in this one for lengthy theatrics.
Overall, while not great musically (the same could be said for "Welcome to My Nightmare"), I think this will excel as a stage show and I can't wait to see it. Alice's spoken word epilogue sets the stage nicely ("Eight legs, one body..." Sweet!). This is definitely Alice being Alice.
Free Music Review: Alice Cooper - 'Along Came A Spider' (SPV)
Hit: 4 Stars
Review no. 83. As huge of an Alice Cooper fan I've been since the release of 'Killer', I chose not to purchase this latest release until just recently, off of Ebay. As fate would have it, I got the CD on Alice's 61st birthday. Honestly, I did. But I confess to hearing 'Along Came A Spider' before. So, I knew exactly what to expect. To me, in some ways 'Along' is sort of like a distant (unofficial) follow-up to Uncle Alice's solo debut - 1975's landmark lp 'Welcome To My Nightmare'. Why? Two reasons - all the album's tracks are between decent to very good songs + they do their job of telling the listener(s) about the story. I mean, can Alice put together a good concept effort or what? Each of the eleven tunes on 'Along Came A Spider' were very well written, thought out, played as well as produced. Cuts here I was most impressed with were the *ss-kicking "Vengeance Is Mine", "Wake The Dead", the rocking "Killed By Love", "I'm Hungry" and "Salvation". Interesting how as the story unfolds, you feel you know the tale's serial killer, named Spider a little bit better. Every bit as good as 'The Eyes Of...' and 'Dirty Diamonds'. Essential.Free Music Review: Along Came A Spider
Hit: 4 Stars
Alice Cooper-Along Came A Spider ****
Conceptually Along Came A Spider is one of Alice Coopers strongest works of his career. Chronicling a murderer while nothing really new for Alice Cooper it is done very well. The plot is very strong and always entertaining.
Lyrically Along Came A Spider contains some of Coopers best work and almost fifteen years, and vocally he sounds great through out the album. Alice feels like he hasn't lost a beat over all these years and it is refreshing with all these old acts releasing albums that should be left in the studio.
Musically the album leaves something to be desired though. At times the guitar playing feels like it isn't even there, which is sad considering Alice Cooper is known for having killer axe men. The rest of the band is less than stellar as well. It just doesn't feel like a Alice Cooper album musically.
But over all Along Came A Spider is the best Alice Cooper album to come along in a while. It's is easily worth it if your a fan.