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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cooper and Ezrin at their finest in the studio, June 2, 2000
Welcome to my Nightmare gives us some of the best from both musician Alice Cooper and producer Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Peter Gabriel, numerous bad Pink Floyd albums). This brilliantly produced and engineered album features the work of a room or two full of the finest studio musicians, and also has some of the creepiest lyrics you'll ever hear.Creepy, yes, but it's all in good fun. How else can you explain how I was first introduced to this album? That's right, I saw Alice Cooper sing "Welcome to my Nightmare" on the Muppet Show, and was hooked right there. When you listen to the album, don't take it too seriously. (Did ANYONE really believe anyone in Kiss was from outer space or that AC/DC was made up of Statan worshipers?) While you're at it, imagine how much more fun it might be in concert. Ah, the '70s!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alice Goes Solo, December 11, 2006
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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Been listening to this for 30 years and I'll listen for another 30...!!!, July 31, 2006
Unquestionably one of the albums nearest-and-dearest to my heart, it can instantly transport me through time and I'm a teenager again....which isn't to say I want to live in the past (heck, I LIKE being middle-aged!) but it's a declaration of the sheer power of this album. Alice's greatest album, bar none....and that's saying alot.
This is one of those few-and-far-between albums that you have to commit yourself to when you fire up the stereo to listen to it: it just feels WRONG to interrupt it for any reason. (The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", "Imperial Bedroom" by Elvis Costello and "Ritual De Lo Habitual" by Jane's Addiction are others that fall into this category.) Every song is of the highest quality; there are no dips in quality in the entirety of this exquisitely well-written and performed drama. The Bob Ezrin production is superb, bringing Alice's vision to vivid, haunting life. The band is in total synch and at the top of their game. Alice growls, pleads, shrieks, mocks, whispers and raves with equal, mesmerizing effect, like a character actor running wild with the juiciest role of his career.
If someone told me I could only have 60 minutes of recorded music, the closing sequence of "Years Ago" > "Steven" > "The Awakening" > "Escape" just might make the cut. Alice Cooper at the peak of his powers, this amazing sequence can still produce goosebumps on my arms. The nightmare-carnival of "Years Ago", the glorious, powerhouse orchestration of "Steven", the creepy, childlike tinkling piano which introduces "The Awakening".....WOW, what a show! When the opening chords of "Escape" come bounding out of my speakers, I'm instantly on my feet singing along in delirious rapture. (This album has the very same effect on my older sister Cindy. Put it on and you won't find two happier people anywhere!)
"Welcome To My Nightmare" is indeed the stuff of legend and hopefully will be listened to for many generations to come!
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