The first cut is “Caught in a Dream”, written by Michael Bruce. Released as a single, it’s a toe tappin’ rocker featuring that signature Glen Buxton guitar. Though the band had yet to hit it big, there’s a lot of truth in it, about things to come – like success and the hell that can come with it: “Well, I’m runnin’ through the world with a gun in my back, tryin’ to catch a ride in that Cadillac. Thought I was livin’ but you can’t never tell. What I thought was heaven turned out to be hell.” Next up is the band’s first hit, “I’m Eighteen”, credited to the entire band. They were already performing it live when Ezrin came on. It was then a long 8 minute version that fit better on previous albums. Ezrin worked his magic and scaled it down to 3 minutes. Then it was released as a single entitled “Eighteen” a few months before the album. Everyone has gone through what this song is about – growing up: “I got a baby’s brain and an old man’s heart. Took eighteen years to get this far. Don’t always know what I’m talkin’ about. Feels like I’m livin’ in the middle of doubt.” Solo Alice may change his set list from tour to tour, but “I’m Eighteen” is always one you’ll hear.
The third song is another Bruce composition, “Long Way to Go”. It’s one of my favorite Cooper rockers. The whole band is busy here. There’s even a little piano break to let you catch your breath. It also includes one of my favorite lines: “What’s keeping us apart isn’t selfishness. What’s holding us together isn’t love.”
At over 9 minutes, “Black Juju” is the longest song on the album. Written by Dennis Dunaway, that dark thing over in the corner makes itself known. Put on some headphones in a dark room and…“WAKE UP!!”
“Is It My Body” is another whole band composition. The B-side of the “Eighteen” single, it’s a nice head nodder about those sweet little groupies, or at least a potential new girlfriend. But the band isn’t all about just gettin’ some: “What have I got that makes you want to love me? Now is it my body or someone I might be?” They want to know.
Next is “Hallowed Be My Name”, written by Neal Smith. Having listened to this countless times, I’m not absolutely sure what it’s about. But I’ve narrowed it down a little. It’s a catchy tune that I think is about self-righteous churchgoers, or maybe just people in general. But if you substitute “Hollywood” for “Hallo-wed”…well, you decide: “Sluts and the hookers have taken your money. The queens are out dancing, but now they’re not funny ’cause there goes one walkin’ away with your sonny.”
Written by Alice, “Second Coming” looks into the mind of those poor souls who stand on the street corners and prophesize about the end of days, and whom often play the part of the returning Messiah: “It would be nice to walk upon the water, to talk again to angels at my side. I just come back to show you all my words are golden, so have no gods before me. I’m the light.” Perhaps because Alice’s father was a preacher, he had some early firsthand observations. “Second Coming” leads directly into…
As said earlier, this is Alice Cooper. Love It To Death is their first album that indeed has no filler. If you want to get back to the roots of Alice Cooper, then listen to Pretties For You and Easy Action. But if you just want to jump into bed with Alice, then…Love It To Death.
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