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Comic Alice

Lace & Whiskey
(Warner Brothers - Dist. Wea)

I'm an Alice Cooper fan and I can't help it. As soon as someone introduces a bit of humor in his rock, I completely fall for it. I love the winks, the references, the self-criticism, the second degree as we call it. That's why Alice Cooper has me every time. But in his records, and that's why I consider the guy a genius, he doubles his facetiousness with a musical background that’s always exceptional. The lyrics are to be taken in the second degree, but the music you get it in the groin. It is rock produced by musicians whose job it is, whose life it is. No grotesques who only have their safety pins to make themselves interesting. Alice and his devilish band get in your face. Do you want some rock? Here it is. A little blood, for thrills? Here it is. Alice Cooper doesn't do anything lightly. He is an entertainer with a hobby of perfection. His new album is an example of his perfectionism. The record is produced by Bob Ezrin and the mean guitarists who officiate are none other than the famous duettists Wagner and Hunter whose support and vigor you have not forgotten from Lou Reed. A team of steel to propel the fantasies of Alice the famous showgirl. The backdrop for this record is the world of post-war American noir novels. Philip Marlowe alias Humphrey Bogart always running for a miserable salary behind an elusive Maltese falcon. The inside photo of the disc shows Alice, with a felt-tip pen on his head, wearing a shirt and a loose tie, cleaning his gun. Nothing is missing from the picture, neither the bottle of scotch, nor the tired raincoat, nor the typewriter. Alice Cooper is a great comedian who is into rock, an attentive observer doubled as a well-informed psychologist. He does rock shows like others do revues at the Lido. But the difference is that he's funnier and his band plays better rock. And that's not all, this guy can really sing. So, don't play the black and tortured rockers, come and have a laugh with Alice, while tapping your foot.

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And now: Maurice Escargot

And here's good old Alice Cooper in his latest metamorphosis: Inspector Maurice Escargot, the cop whose dangerous yet monotonous life smells of booze, cold butts, and typewriter ribbon (who said "like rock-critics"?...). After his long illness and his troubles with the taxman, Alice intends to take the Maurice Escargot Show on a big American tour as only he knows how to provoke them. Only one question: will Peter Gabriel want to give him back his musicians?

(Translated into English from the French language publication)