Alice Cooper’s “Road”: A Glimpse Into the Life of a Rock ‘N Roll Nomad
At the age of 75, Alice Cooper, the Detroit rock n’ roll legend, still beats with the vigor of a young, rebellious heart, reminiscent of the vibes – classic, reliable, and unabashedly unapologetic. Each year, as seasons change, one thing remains constant: Cooper is probably belting out his hits, somewhere on tour.
Enter Road, the latest testament to Cooper’s perennial charm, an album that’s as much about the man as it is about the band. With five decades of shocking the audience, with guillotines and gallons of fake blood, Alice Cooper is an institution, a household name that has become synonymous with theatrical rock. While many of his peers from the ’70s have receded into the annals of music history, Cooper persists. Why? It’s not just his undying spirit. It’s his unparalleled knack for crafting brilliant hard rock melodies, backed by a band that arguably boasts some of the best talents in the business.
Cooper, no stranger to concept albums, brings forth Road, a compelling chronicle that revolves around the tumultuous yet thrilling life of a touring rock band. With 13 tracks, each is a snapshot, a story, an emotion that gives fans an unprecedented look into what it truly feels like to be Alice Cooper on tour.
Road kicks off with the electrifying “Welcome to the Show”, an ode to the rush performers feel when the stage lights hit. From there, it delves deep, exposing the tender moments of bidding adieu in “Baby Please Don’t Go”, and capturing the post-tour void in “100 More Miles”. But it’s not all glamour and glitz. The darker side of fame is also vividly portrayed, as with “Go Away”, where Cooper sings about the obsessive stalkers. He then sways to the playful tune of “Big Boots”, serenading a captivating truck stop waitress.
However, a standout and a surefire hit is “White Line Frankenstein”, an evocative track that paints a vivid picture of a crazed truck driver. The track is classic Cooper – the familiar hint of madness, the unmistakable touch of drama. It’s worth noting that Cooper seems to have a penchant for “Frankenstein”, a term he’s used for at least three of his songs now.
Collaboratively written and recorded by his full touring band, including the formidable guitar trio of Nita Strauss, Ryan Roxie, and Tommy Henricksen, Road feels organic. The sound it encapsulates is a fusion – a blend of the vintage Alice Cooper magic with modern-day rock elements. A particular nod to his past, the lyrics “like it/love it” in one of the tracks, will transport fans to 1970’s iconic “I’m Eighteen”.
In essence, Road isn’t just an album; it’s an experience, a roller-coaster ride, with its ups and downs, much like Alice Cooper’s journey in the world of rock n’ roll. As the Detroit legend ages, his music only seems to get richer, proving that, indeed, rock n’ roll never dies.