Tribute albums can be done well, and be a fitting tribute to the person or band that is being honoured. This would rank as one of the finest I have heard, mainly for the fact that there are great musicians taking part, and all of them have an obvious affection for the man to whom they are paying tribute to – Alice Cooper.
While it is always good to hear your favourite artists doing cover versions of another of your favourite artists songs, the truth is that most of the time they don’t match up to the original. Here though there is a strong argument for a couple of these versions being the equal, if not better, than the originals! Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith’s version of “Black Widow” is terrific, and Ronnie James Dio just tears apart “Welcome To My Nightmare”. Dave Mustaine sounds like he’s enjoying himself on “School’s Out”, and even Vince Neil on “Cold Ethyl” is worthy of note here.
Sure, they could never replace the originals, but the versions here have an updated feel, and sound great. Glenn Hughes probably takes it a little far in “Only Women Bleed”, but not everyone has the kind of voice that he does!
This is a fitting album to pay homage to one of the innovators and great showmen of music. It’s so much more enjoyable because you can feel the enjoyment the artists involved are having in recording it, and it comes through in the music.
Rating: Worth a listen, whether you know any Alice Cooper material or not. 4.5/5
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