Welcome 2 My Nightmare

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What should have been and could have been the most fantastic sequel in Alice Cooper’s lengthy career in fact falls a bit flat to the anticipation that surrounded this project since the announcement was made that he would create a second addition to his landmark 1975 album Welcome to My Nightmare creatively titled Welcome 2 My Nightmare. I suppose that there have been quite a few mixed expectations from the fans. I for one had hoped for a heavier bout more akin to the Brutal Planet vibe, while others longed for a retro sound closer to the original album’s sound. In essence neither side really was granted their hearts desire with this latest endeavor.

While there are definitely moments worthy of praise in this new chapter of the Coop, the problems I believe far outweigh the good. Kicking things off is the ballad (yes ballad) “I Am Made of You” which truthfully isn’t a bad tune at all sans the use of autotune which I absolutely despise. Further on in the albums track listing would have been better though as a ballad should never open an album. “Caffeine” is humorous but ultimately come across as more of a Weird Al song than Alice Cooper. “The Nightmare Returns could have been epic but as it I only an interlude clocking in at a measly 1:16 disappointment once again sets in. In an odd Vaudeville sort of way “The Last Man on Earth” actually feels a little morbid and surprisingly at place here. For those looking for the classic Cooper sound check out “The Congregation” which is perhaps the closest we get on this journey. Now, I have to admit that as a fan I am always expecting the quaintly sadistic and shocking yet funny side of Alice to emerge and so it actually does a couple of times throughout the CD beginning with the album’s first single “I’ll Bite Your Face Off” and I think the title says it all. Another classic Alice moment comes via the gory “Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever” which is not my favorite by any means but you have to laugh at the concept for sure. It does sound a bit like another Weird Al song though (just my opinion). What is probably my favorite song on the album is the duet with R&B star Keyshia Cole titled “What Baby Wants” in which she plays the devil and he her prey. You just can’t not love such lines as, “I'm gunna drain your veins and bathe in your blood!” Closing the album out is a bit of nostalgia with The Underture” which encompasses an instrumental orchestration of the classic “Welcome to My Nightmare” song along with others.  

No doubt this album is not perfect in any way but then again Alice Cooper has never been one to strive for perfection simply for perfections sake. His presence in the musical world has always been represented by the imperfect and twisted aspects of life and art. So after many years in the biz I understand Alice wanting to try new and innovative things and he absolutely has the right to do so being that he has more than paid his dues over the last 30+ years. His live show is sure to add a completely new appreciation for these songs as well and ultimately I’m just happy that he is still doing what he loves to do and hopefully we will have many more years of music still to come from the legendary Alice Cooper.

-Priest