Post by rtbuck on Aug 27, 2008 11:26:27 GMT -5
‘Along Came a Spider’ - Alice Cooper
Label : Steamhammer / SPV
Review by : Bucky for Rock ‘n Roll Universe
Alice Cooper is back again in 2008 & as he sings on the 2nd track of his latest album ‘Along Came a Spider’, “Vengeance is Mine”, he overtakes the listener & leaves no prisoners. Once again Alice has returned with another twisted concept which features a psychopathic killer appropriately named Spider whose world & mind is ruled by arachnids. In the sick mind of this individual his goal is to kill individuals, wrap them in silk, & proceed in amputating a leg from each victim so he can create the ultimate Human Spider. All goes wrong when Spider falls in love with his final victim.
Musically, the album is much in the same vein as his last handful of cd’s which will rock you out. The album kicks off with a modern day “Cold Ethyl” cowbell rocker called “I Know Where You Live” which sets up the twisted tale. “Vengeance is Mine” is solid tune that would have been perfect both musically & lyrically on ‘Brutal Planet’ & the song takes on a life of it’s own with some scorching guitar work by Slash. “Wake the Dead” is kind of a modern day psychedelic rocker which features Ozzy Osbourne lending some harmonica while a buzzing guitar riff runs through the tune. “Catch Me if You Can” has a catchy chorus & musically revisits 2001’s “Dragontown”. “In Touch With Your Feminine Side” & “Wrapped in Silk” are 2 decent rockers that keep up the album’s momentum which leads into Spider’s realization that he is in love with his last victim on the ballad “Killed by Love”. “Killed by Love” starts off with an acoustic guitar sound that is reminiscent of ‘The Ballad of Dwight Fry” & “I Never Cry” with Beatles overtones. “I’m Hungry” is my favorite track off the album as it kicks off with an opening riff that takes me back to Alice’s 1971 classic “Is it My Body” & rocks out with a steady beat, handclaps, & some cool backing vocals. “The One That Got Away”, “Salvation”, & “I am the Spider/ Epilogue” closeout the concept album much in the same way “Chop Chop Chop”, “Gail”, & “Roses on White Lace” fit together at the end of the ‘Raise Your Fist & Yell “ or “Steven”, “The Awakening” & “Escape” closed out the classic ‘Welcome to my Nightmare’ album. At the end of ‘Along Came a Spider’ it is revealed that the psychopath “Spider” is a creation that has come from the mind of none other than Welcome To My Nightmare’s’…Steven!
Rating 9 out of 10
Bucky