The album
'The Last Temptation' was released in 1994, and after the heavy metal excesses of the previous releases, it saw a return to the pop-metal that Alice had been performing in the 1970s. To my mind, it's the best thing Alice has recorded since 'From The Inside'. It's a concept album, dealing with the topics of temptation and redemption. It also saw the (full) return of Steven.
The working title for the album was 'Along Came A Spider', which would finally be used for an album released in 2008. The album was almost finished before the title was changed
Initial copies of the album came with a free comic book, 'The Last Temptation Of Alice Cooper, Part 1', written by Neil Gaiman. The same book was later made available separately through comic shops with a different cover. Issues two and three, completing the story, appeared over a protracted period afterwards. Still later, all three books were compiled as 'The Complete Alice Cooper' trade paperback. This version included some additional text and sketches. Strangely, the character of The Showman is depicted as Alice Cooper rather than the character of Steven
There was a television commercial released for the album, and it can be seen
here
Opening the album, and setting the scene, is
'Sideshow'. It's a straightforward pop song, with none of the heavy metal overtones from recent songs. It has a catchy melody, and solid instrumentation with nice acoustic guitars, bouncy electric guitars and punchy drums. It's like the
real Alice Cooper had found his feet and returned.
Alice Cooper - Vocals
Stef Burns - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Smith - Bass, Vocals
Derek Sherinian - Keyboards, Vocals
David Uosikkinen - Drums
For the first time, a number of different producers was used on the recording
Producer - Andy Wallace
01/10 - Sideshow (Alice Cooper, Bessie Smith, Brian Smith, Michael Brooks, Jon Norwood, Dan Wexler, Bud Saylor)
"I ain't got no fun today
It's just like yesterday, oh yeah
Only different shades of grey
I'm bored right out of my skull
I'd have to get high just to be dull
I'm institutional
My TV screen spins around and around and around and around
(I need a sideshow) I need a sideshow
(Some kinda Creepshow) Some kinda creepshow, (of yeah) oh yeah
They ran the circus out of town
But the ring master said "Boy, you can stick around"
I pay to see the freaks
Some finger lickin' chicken-eating geek
Hey, that sounds cool to me
I just want to step inside
I want a scary ride, oh yeah
See Jeckyll turn to Hyde
I feel my head spinnin' round and around and around and around,around around around
(I need a sideshow) I need a sideshow (oh yeah)
(Some kinda creepshow) Some kinda creepshow (oh yeah) yeah
(a freakshow) I just want someplace to go, (oh yeah)
I tried to be a circus clown
But even my monkey wouldn't hang around
And the hunchback midget and his twisted friends
Offer me a world of thrills that never end
I need a sideshow
Some kind of freaky show, oh yeah
(Sideshow)
Down where the neon glows
(Sideshow)
Just like a psychedelic video
Or a 24 hour party, go go go
Not a 90210, no
I need my sideshow, sideshow
My private, my private sideshow
[Spoken] (hmm, step right up, come on in, we have something for everyone taste
Say, you look like a bright young boy. What`s the matter? Afraid?)."
The second song,
Nothing's Free', is a good hard rock song. It features Alice doing his spoken/singing thing, using a creepy voice.
Producer - Don Flemmin
02/10 - Nothing's Free (Alice Cooper, Dan Wexler, Bud Saylor, Bob Pfeifer)
"You, me, understand, shake my hand
Last chance, little man ain't it grand
It's a bargain, it's a steal
30 pieces silver and a deal's a deal
Sign upon the dotted line, I'll be yours and you'll be mine
Nothing's free
Eventually
Nothing's free from the rules and laws of morality
Free to take your fill
Free from your own free will
Nothing's free
My boy, it's getting late, I'll raise the stakes
So close, control your fate, why hesitate
Seal the deal, close the sale
Take my hammer, drive the nail
Sign upon the bloody line, a drop of yours, a drop of mine
Nothing's free
Eternally
Nothing's free from your conscience or
Free from the consequence
Free to sin and death
Free till your final breath
Nothing's free
Free from the claws and flaws of your family
Free from obedient life
You're cut like a double-edged knife
Nothing's free, nothing's free
Oh, you pay me
Free to ignore the bore of authority
Free to spit in the face
Be the winningest rat in the race till Judgement Day
Then nothing's free
Bow to me if you wanna be free
Free from life, come die with me
And when we're dead it's for eternity
Come on little one and dance in the fire
The heat's getting close and the flame's getting higher
When the music's over there's a hush in the choir
Nothing's free
When the trumpets sound and his light is all around
And the saints all raise from the graves in the ground
We'll be going way downtown
Way downtown
When we're free, so free
Trust me.....
It`s dark, and it`s cold, and alone, but you're free
Isn`t that what you wanted?"