Customer Reviews

Muscle of Love

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A lot of Cooper fans dislike this album;thinking that it's a step down from BILLION DOLLAR BABIES.I believe the opposite.True,the Alice Cooper Group were on the verge of splitting up(Alice wanted to increase the theatrics;the rest of the band wanted them eliminated altogether).However,that did not stop them from trying out new types of music to mix with the ACG's brand of in-your -face rock.Dixieland rock(CRAZY LITTLE CHILD),elctronic music (WOMAN MACHINE)space rock(HARD HEARTED ALICE),a choir(MUSCLE OF LOVE)and the ultimate girl backup group (consisting of The Pointer Sisters,Liza Minelli and Ronnie Spector on TEENAGE LAMENT '74).This does not mean that the hard rock isn't there:witness MUSCLE OF LOVE,WORKING UP A SWEAT,NEVER BEEN SOLD BEFORE,and BIG APPLE DREAMIN'.MUSCLE OF LOVE is a loose concept album,the subjects are sex and making your way in the big,bad city.My favourite track on this album is THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.All ACG members were James Bond fanatics and they submitted this to be the theme song for the second Roger Moore Bond adventure. Unfortunately,due to the Alice Cooper image,Lulu got the job instead(damnit!)MUSCLE OF LOVE still has Alice and the boys firing on all cylinders,with biting wit in the lyrics and determination in the playing.Don't just go on what some Alice fans tell you;take a listen and judge for yourself.As for me;I rank it highly in the Cooper canon.

I think "Muscle of Love" also has a slapdash feel about it, sort of like Led Zep's "Coda". It's like Alice and crew went through their musical closet and just emptied out left over stuff from previous recordings. But that in no way should indicate these cuts are bad. You have the haunting "Hard Hearted Alice", the Dixie-Jazz "Crazy Little Child", and typical 70's rockers like "Woman Machine", "Muscle of Love" & "Never Been Sold Before". All of the songs are good, just not as good as what had been put out before. I think one of the best tracks on the disk is the failed James Bond theme song "Man With the Golden Gun". I would love to have seen that open the movie (as a Bond fan MWTGG could have used something, as it was one of the worst bond movies ever). But if you are a fan of Alice Cooper, you have to get this landmark recording if for no other reason that to hear the original bands last recording. I always wondered what would have happened had the original band stayed together, but I don't know if they could have made it past the 70's and into the 80's. Just look where Alice went after this with "Welcome to my Nightmare" and where the rest of the band went with "Battle Axe". Two albums that sound completely different. But, now, 30 years later, wouldn't it be great to hear Alice once again with his old mates?! Man that would be a Killer!

Muscle of Love was the last album for Alice Cooper as a band; in its aftermath, the band would split, with frontman Cooper going on to success with Welcome To My Nightmare and the band themselves falling into obscurity as the Billion Dollar Babies.

Yet despite the bad reputation Muscle of Love seems to have, it's certainly a part of the band's golden era, and well worth exploring. It can be a bit of a shock in its chronilogical placing, though; it has little of the theatricality that so liberally peppered School's Out and especially Billion Dollar Babies. Indeed, I've heard (thanks, George S.!) that this decision is due to a comprimise made between Mr. Furnier and the members of his band, who apparently were a bit turned off by some of the excessive theatricality of the previous two albums, which makes a lot of sense. Thus, Muscle of Love has more in common with Love it To Death and Killer, which is certainly not a bad thing; the title track, Big Apple Dreaming, and many others are straightforward, excellent tracks with few pretentions, and even the ballades (Hard Hearted Alice) come off quite well.

The songwriting and execution aren't QUITE up to the level of those previous successes, but it's enjoyable enough, and for those who enjoy Cooper (but don't necessarily go for "I Love the Dead"), MoL is an enjoyable last-hurrah for the band.

Muscle of Love was the last album by the original Alice Cooper group and it came after two top-ten hits, School's Out and Billion Dollar Babies. This is, however very under-rated and probably the least popular album of the original line-up to come out after Love it to Death. The album peaked at number 10 in the US but has yet not reached platinum certification, unlike all the other 4 albums before it. Also unlike them this is not produced by Bob Ezrin. I'm sure it would have been a lot better had it been produced by Ezrin because he was such an important part of the Alice Cooper concept.

That said this is still one of my personal favourites. The Alice Cooper band had just come off a huge commercial success with Billion Dollar Babies, both the album and the mamooth tour, but the band was having many internal problems. This album lacks the hits that made School's Out and Billion Dollar Babies so successful. The singles from this album, Teenage Lament 74 and Muscle of Love failed to crack the Top 40 in the US even though the former peaked at number 12 in the UK.

This album is similar in style to Love it to Death and School's Out (excluding the pop-rock title track). There are many strong songs on this one. A real good opener, Big Apple Dreaming with a cool guitar riff followed by a prostitutes's lament against her pimp in Never Been Sold Before, featuring classic tongue in cheek Alice lyrics.

Then come two ballads, Hard Hearted Alice and Crazy Little Child. The album slows down a great deal with these two songs but they are quite fun to listen to. Hard Heared Alice sees Alice telling the fans about the fatigues involved in being a rock star. Crazy Little Child is a jaz influenced song, though it is still not ala par with Blue Turk (from School's Out).

The album picks up pace again with Workin Up a Sweat, a personal favourite which was also B-Side to Teenage Lament '74 and also features backing vocals by the Pointer Sisters and Liza Minelli. Catchy song about sex. Same applies for Muscle of Love, which Alice describes as one of their most Yardbird-influenced efforts. The song was originally demod with totally different lyrics and titled "Respect for the Sleepers" (available on the box-set) but then it turned into Muscle of Love. It sounds better this way. Great drumming by Neal Smith.

Then comes Man With the Golden Gun, which Alice intended to be a soundtrack for the James Bond movie with the same name. The producers turned it down because they feared that Alice's reputation might harm the movie. Had this been used it probably would have provided good enough publicity to make this album a larger hit. This is fine for a James Bond sountrack but it's probably the weakest song on the album.

Teenage Lament '74 is next. This was a decent hit in the UK but only enjoyed mild popularity in the US, only reaching number 48 in the charts. Overall it is a very good song about teenagers and their problems. The album closes off with Woman Machine, not bad but certainly not the best song here.

As last comment, this album is a very enjoyable effort and should have been a bigger hit. The band's performances once again shine here. Dennis Dunaway's bass playing and Neal Smith's drumming are top-notch. So is Michael Bruce's rythm guitar. Glen Buxton probably plays only minor parts if any at all here as he was suffering greatly due to alcohol abuse. Alice's performance is once again very good.

This album is recommended to hard core Alice fans. Casual fans should try other albums such as Billion Dollar Babies and Love it to Death first, but still, DO NOT MISS THIS ONE. It may not be the best way to introduce Alice to new fans but it certainly a must have once one gets to know Alice's style.

As hard as it is to believe, I've run across several fans that simply don't remember this lp at all, plus a few not very well. 'Muscle Of Love' was the follow-up to their notorious 'Billion Dollar Babies' album. The seventh and final lp by the original Alice Cooper Group, before of course Alice went solo. I've always liked 'Muscle Of Love' for what it was. More straight ahead rock & roll, less glitter / shock like 'Billion Dollar Babies' or 'School's Out' was. Cuts I found to my liking were "Big Apple Dreaming", the title track "Muscle Of Love", the lp's single "Teenage Lament '74" and perhaps 'Muscle Of Love's reply to 'Billion Dollar Babie's "Mary Ann", the somewhat creepy, but well written ballad "Hard Hearted Alice". Did you also know the band actually did a three week tour in support of 'Muscle'? I've seen proof, a decent sounding bootleg. Not a bad find.

A completely musical collection. The last great Coop' album, with his original band (and the truly fabulous rock musicians).

Though not as heavy as earlier albums, this one is just as good as any - every song is excellent.

If you like Billion Dollar Babies, you should love this.

The last album from the original Alice Cooper BAND. 1973-74. The band didn't really tour much to promote this album. they did 13 cities in the northeast usa and about 5 gigs in brazil and that was it yet it still made the top 10. if you can get a copy of billion dollar baby by bob greene he described the recording of the vocals to this album in the studio in detail in that book. The songs have got some swagger both in the vocals and the music. Bob Ezrin didn't produce this album rather produced by Jack Richardson and Jack Douglas. there a lot of long fading endings to songs here, some are noisy so I skip ahead to the next song but some endings if you listen to the fades have some great subtleties...some great guitar work with the addition of dick wagner and mick mashbir cameos by labelle sisters, liza minelli, ronnie spector and pointer sisters...it's not a bad touch...it's kind of a cut loose album trying something different. i've been playing this one a lot on my car cd player lately sometimes too much horns and strings...ex: Never Been Sold Before rocks from the start but towards the end is buried in horns and strings and get too noisy so i skip a head to the next song. Hippo rocks. it's funky 70's swagger it's cool, clever. heart hearted alice dueling guitars at break nice melody crazy little child big band dixieland? old show business again...alice seems to enjoy singing like a hollywood starlet...workin up a sweat and muscle of love rock out. golden gun has some moments as well lament 74. if you have love it to death, killer, school's out, billion dollar babies you should get this too. it's the same band trying a different tact for a change of pace. it's a light album not to be taken too seriously. it's only meant to be enjoyed as fun. despite the fragmented status of the band at this point, no glen buxton on this album, and all the tracks were laid down by the musicians separately it still holds together and the mix is suprisingly good. actually i think the mix is better on this album than the previous 4 albums by ezrin. the album shows a maturity. these were clever and witty rock stars with a sense of humour and some subtlety. it shows on this album. at times alice sings like mae west but the music also supports that...for all the personal differences the band was having with shep, the manager and alice, as a combined group they could generate some great sound...dennis Dunaway - bass, neal smith-drums, great rhythm section along with mike bruce on guitar and song writing plus the excellent addition of mick mashbir on guitar who really lifted the band to more sophisticated playing

Aloha,
This was the "album" that made my parents think I needed psychiatric help.
I had a Mowtown upbringing, and this was first thing I gravitated to. Crawling towards the "hi-fi" trying to change the station.

20 some odd years later, I still adore Alice.
This is a great specimen of the roots of ROCK.

even after 35 years die-hard alice fans still argue over which alice cooper album is the best - proving that alice's music touches people on a very personal level. about the only thing they probably do agree on is that the alice cooper group belong in the rock and roll hall of fame (true) and alice the solo artist hasn't made a decent album since "welcome to my nightmare" (not true). while we all hold our breath for a long overdue reunion, we can take comfort in the fact that @61, alice still performs most of his classics on tour and with each new studio release proves that he at least still has a sense of humor.

the last album released by the alice cooper group (other than greatest hits) was the very underrated, and often overlooked, "muscle of love". centered on a loose sexual theme, including the clever cover, the band got back to basics. although a departure from the darker theatrics of previous albums, this is still classic alice. "muscle of love" is worthy of "killer", "working up a sweat" would easily fit on "billion dollar babies" and "crazy little child" is perfect for "school's out". (with slightly adjusted lyrics to fit each album theme)

although "teenage lament" reflected the classic "i'm eighteen" theme and was a minor hit, d.j.'s should have flipped the disc over and played "workin' up a sweat" instead. it's a great little rocker filled with alice's trademark humor. the best rocker on the album is "muscle of love" and although released as a single, the subject matter of masturbation kept this gem from getting the airplay it deserved. other standout tracks include "man with a golden gun", written for the new james bond movie, "hard hearted alice" about life on the road, and big apple dreamin' (hippo) paying tribute to new york. "never been sold before" deserves mention as well.

unfortunately the success of "billion dollar babies" left the band with nowhere to go but down and although the album "muscle of love" was supported by a short holiday tour, the band was physically exhausted. what most people don't realize is that the alice cooper group recorded five albums with tours after each, in 2 ½ years! how many bands today could pull that off?

the "muscle of love" tour was actually billed as the "billion dollar babies holiday tour" and was an exact duplicate of the previous with the exception of alice and the boys beating the crap out of santa clause at the end of the show. zz top was the opening act. --set list: hello hooray/billion dollar babies/elected/i'm eighteen/big apple dreamin'/muscle of love/hard hearted alice/my stars/ unfinished sweet/sick things/dead babies/i love the dead/school's out/working up a sweat

released november 1973 it reached #10 usa and #34 uk-- singles: teenage lament b/w working up a sweat (#48) - muscle of love b/w crazy little child (#0)

every alice cooper album has great songs that never made radio. it's not the hits, but the deeper cuts that are the real black beauties... blinddog pick: hard hearted alice / big apple dreamin' (hippo)

Out of the original group's LPs, this was probably the last one I bought (I wasn't a fan until after the breakup); and that was for the sake of completing the collection. It wasn't marketed quite as heavily as the previous classics, and there were no awesomely great songs to compel buyers to rush out and get it. Bob Ezrin was unavailable to produce, so The Coopers had to bring in someone else not quite as familiar with them. This has mixed results, with the instruments finally not so buried in the mix, but really long fade-outs for most songs. Plus, horn sections are brought out of the producer's bag o' tricks to "sweeten" the songs up, but that kind of makes them cheesy. High points include "Big Apple Dreamin'", "Never Been Sold Before", "Hard Hearted Alice", "Workin' Up a Sweat", "Woman Machine" (which has one of the more interesting guitar riffs I've heard from ACG), and the title track. "Crazy Little Child" is a Dixieland exercise which channels a "Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" sketch, "Man with the Golden Gun" is Alice trying to flex his showbiz chops, and I hate to say it, but "Teenage Lament '74" is only a blatant attempt at recapturing the "I'm Eighteen" Top 40 teen-anthem market.

The band as a whole had exhausted their Esprit De Corps by this point. Glen Buxton, the lead guitar player, was a member in name only (he does not play a note on this album). Michael Bruce wrote nearly every song and his ego was growing to new heights. The rhythm section of Dunaway and Smith remain solid and dependable. However, Dennis Dunaway's usually distinctive and melodic bass playing is toned down, maybe at the behest of the producer.

Alice is very much the star of the show here. And his attitude about his celebrity was very apparent, particularly in the lyrics to "Hard Hearted Alice". Here he lists the hassles of his rock stardom, and states he has to be the maniac because it's what his audience wants. After the "Billion Dollar Babies" tour, he became frightened of the effect his stage persona had on the audience. This album was his first step away from Dwight Fry and his first towards Andy Hardy. Hence the cast of thousands doing guest shots on background vocals like a Scooby-Doo mystery. The "puttin' on the Ritz" vibe throughout. You can almost picture Alice aping Al Jolson at the end of "Big Apple", down on one knee with arms extended: "Ahhh New Yawk we comin, we comin ta see whut yer made of". Each song seems to be a new face Alice is trying on. Soon after this was a turn on "Hollywood Squares" then "The Muppets Show".

Is it a bad album? Not at all. It just isn't a great one. It lacks all the menace Alice built his reputation on (and what he is trying to currently regain), and without the bad attitude, the songs don't have much urgency or bite to them. The rockers are good, but harmless. If you played this for someone who had no idea what it was, I wonder what band they would think it came from.

A lot of "what if's" are wrapped in this album: What if Ezrin had produced it? What if the band had taken more time off instead of being pressured into following up B$B so quickly? In the end, it is what it is. I recommend the album, but only to Cooper fans. It has a special place in my heart because of where it came from, but if this had been done by another band I doubt if I would have bothered.

(UPDATE) I just saw a video of "Behind the Music" on Alice Cooper. During an interview Ezrin says that he resigned as producer during pre-production of this album. Mike Bruce and Neil Smith were apparently wanting to "get back to the music" for MOL and resisted Ezrin's contributions for fear that things were getting too focused on Alice himself. But the genie was already out of the bottle. And while they may have gotten their way with an LP not built around a stage show, the result was a fairly vanilla entry in the ACG's catalog. As a swan song for the original group, they deserved better.