Welcome to My Nightmare

by

Alice Cooper

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A new era starts for Alice. Gone is the original band as Alice goes solo teaming up once again with producer Bob Ezrin and new co-writer guitarist Dick Wagner to create Alice's vision of grand rock theater. "Nightmare" is considered a classic by most Cooper fans and indeed it is a great album albeit different from what his fans at the time might have been used to. The album is a concept piece revolving around the main character "Steven" (who is really Alice) sleeping through a nightmare...........or is it real? This album was conceived and written for the stage as Alice took a full theatrical production of this work on the road. Part rock, theater, Broadway, ballads, and even jazzy at times "Nightmare" covers a lot of ground. Several huge hits came from this album and they are all good ones. The title track with its horn section blaring out the main theme is very different from anything The Alice Cooper Band ever did. "Only Women Bleed" was Alice's first hit ballad. "Department Of Youth" was another big one that although a great song, does not really fit in the context of the album concept. The album tracks are mostly strong as well with "Devils Food / The Black Widow" still playing a part in Alice's set today. Vincent Price's creepy narration during "Black Widow" is a bit corny, but I get the feeling that is the way Alice wanted it to be. "Cold Ethyl" is similar to "I Love The Dead" from the previous album, only this one is totally done as a black comedy. The album closes with four songs that run together "Years Ago", "Steven", "The Awakening" , and "Escape" telling the story of Steven (Alice) and some of his mental.......lets say issues. The Steven character would show up on several later Cooper albums as well. For fans of progressive rock Tony Levin (King Crimson, ABWH, Peter Gabriel) played bass on this one. Although this album was a big departure from the original band's material it stands on it's own as a great piece of work.