Before there was a Rob Zombie and before there was a Marilyn Manson, there was Alice Cooper. The legendary rock and roll showman and unequivocal sovereign of shock rock is back with his first album since 2011 called “Paranormal.” Everything about this album screams old school Alice from the title to the production to the songs themselves.
From the opening of the ghostly title track, it’s clear from the start that Alice hasn’t lost a step. The songwriting is outstanding with a classic 70’s rock vibe powered by a world class group of musicians. There’s a great mix of straight up rockers with the screaming guitar of “Dead Flies” and the evil groove of “Paranoiac Personality” with lyrics running the gamut from apocalyptic to the tried and true
topic of love. The record has a real fun feel to it with classic crank up the radio cruising tunes like “Dynamite Road” and “You and All of Your Friends.” Throughout it all, Alice’s signature vocals sound amazing and effortless. It’s hard to believe that he has been making records for almost 50 years. Producer Bob Ezrin also did a superb job of keeping the vintage Cooper sound without making the record
sound dated. As an added bonus, there are six live tracks including some of his biggest hits “School’s Out” and “Only Women Bleed.”
With 27 albums under his belt, countless accolades, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cooper has nothing left to prove. Yet, the master of mayhem does just that with one of his best albums to date. School may be out for summer so pick up your copy of “Paranormal” and get a little rock and roll education, Alice style.
