ALICE COOPER - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Universal Music
Listening to Alice Cooper's diverse vocal range and musicianship is like watching a mélange of horror and drama inspired movies. Try to imagine all of this, but within the auditory spectrum side of things and it is quite out of this world. How does Cooper make all of this possible without losing his identity or without compromising his rich vocal delivery?
Well, here lies the truth, and it's going to blow your mind, no kidding, people. Alice's newest and greatest release (in my opinion, at least) is a strong collection of all of his musical influences from the time he began his career to the present day. "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" is such an unpredictable album that each track could be from another album of his but with a modern day twist. Now this is what I call sheer musical and songwriting brilliance.
It is Cooper's creative ability to blend metal, rock, funk and pop rock styles fused into one concoction of rock wizardry, which makes listening to this album kind of like riding a lengthy roller coaster with limitless highs and lows.
However, it should be noted, any listener expecting 14 tracks of pure heavy rock and metal will be disappointed with Cooper on "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" as this record is as musically and vocally as diverse as it gets with the way Cooper drives the point home with his vocals and songwriting talents on this one.
Universal Music
Listening to Alice Cooper's diverse vocal range and musicianship is like watching a mélange of horror and drama inspired movies. Try to imagine all of this, but within the auditory spectrum side of things and it is quite out of this world. How does Cooper make all of this possible without losing his identity or without compromising his rich vocal delivery?
Well, here lies the truth, and it's going to blow your mind, no kidding, people. Alice's newest and greatest release (in my opinion, at least) is a strong collection of all of his musical influences from the time he began his career to the present day. "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" is such an unpredictable album that each track could be from another album of his but with a modern day twist. Now this is what I call sheer musical and songwriting brilliance.
It is Cooper's creative ability to blend metal, rock, funk and pop rock styles fused into one concoction of rock wizardry, which makes listening to this album kind of like riding a lengthy roller coaster with limitless highs and lows.
However, it should be noted, any listener expecting 14 tracks of pure heavy rock and metal will be disappointed with Cooper on "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" as this record is as musically and vocally as diverse as it gets with the way Cooper drives the point home with his vocals and songwriting talents on this one.
As mentioned above, this record has a whole myriad of influences ranging from rock, metal and pop rock.
Opening track "I am Made Of You" is a melodic rocker despite its grotesque name, but it is a memorable song with so much oomph, you'll let loose, bang your head and rock out like there is no tomorrow to its catchy choruses.
"Something To Remember Me By" is a stellar display of Cooper's The Beatlesque vocal delivery and the music too is quite reminiscent of that early 70's style made popular by the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Doobie Brothers.
With "Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever" you might as well be on the dance floor shaking your behind while totally immersing yourself into this disco and boogie flavored number. "Ghouls Gone Wild" was a cool track with its 1970s, creepy, horror inspired TV animated series-like approach, which kind of reminded me of The Munsters and Groovie Goolies cartoon from 1970/71.
Having also worked with long time collaborator, friend and record producer, Bob Ezrin, Cooper has surely given "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" a superb depth in creativity, musical direction and sound production. "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" was produced by Ezrin too, so the sound and the overall production rocks with a lot of fire.
Again, if you are expecting this record to be a total onslaught of heavy as hell guitars and heart thumping drum antics, you will be greatly disappointed as this is more of a classic Alice Cooper release with tons of rock sensibilities of today and yesteryear. I am quite sure Cooper will be having a huge stage production for this release, which he is also known for, and gives his audience a real auditory and visual bang for their hard earned cash.
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