Release Date: 1971
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: I only know of Mr. Cooper through his second career as a reliable guest-star “freak” on TV and his love of golf. Musically, I know very little. Let’s put this on… Well, off to a great start with the rocking “Caught In A Dream.” Cooper’s brand of greasy glam rock seems a bit different than the heavy metal crowd that Cooper gets lumped in with–maybe closer to Bowie. The band comes off as KISS-like in vibe, but much closer to Mott the Hoople in skill level. “I’m Eighteen” is a familiar hit with a great guitar riff that I heard all the time on classic rock before without realizing it was Alice Cooper. The album is very consistent and the band rocks throughout on other tracks like “Long Way To Go.” Too bad this guy’s horror show persona overtook the music in the public’s eye. Slightly less successful on record is the 9 minute Doorsish prog-rock song, “Black Juju” (I could see that it might be better with a stage show freakout accompaning it.) Almost sinks the album. Whew, they get back on track with “Is It My Body” and the enjoyable piano, acoustic guitar driven pathos of the “Ballad of Dwight Fry.” “I GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE!” Outside of Black Juju, I was really pleasantly surprised by this album: Cheap, fun and enjoyable– like a great cheeseburger.

Starred Songs: “I’m Eighteen” “Ballad of Dwight Fry”
Sneaky Track: “Caught in an Dream,” “Is It My Body”
Should this album be on the list? Yes.

Will you listen to this again? I might, but I’d probably skip “Black Juju”
Verdict: Rocking proto-metal in the glam rock tradition with theatricality, chops and fun.

Rating:  ★★★★ (Tough call with “Black Juju” but still)