Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies (Expanded Version) (CD 2001)

I had already owned 'Schools Out', in LP and CD form, for about 30 years before I bit the bullet and bid on Billion Dollar Babies. I now wonder why I waited so long, as I have done nothing but enjoy this CD since it dropped thru the letterbox. A lot of the tracks were out in the early seventies as singles and B sides, so maybe thats why, but having heard this again (and again) has made me re-evaluate Alice Cooper.

Maybe the quality of the band's music and production has gotten overlooked in the theatrical extravaganza that is an Alice Cooper show, but as somebody notable said, Alice Cooper have their own specific sound, and lyrics which can be cynical, ironic or humourous. Its inventive and varied, using latin rhythms on the end of 'raped and freezing' to emphasise a bad-taste Chihuahua adventure, lifting unashamedly from James Bond movies on 'unfinished sweet' (with additional dental sound effects), which is not something the unwary would anticipate, but gives it an extra dimension. The band may well be one of the most underrated ever. Really. 'Hello Hurray' is a superb anthem, and 'Elected' is a brilliant song, as is 'Generation Landslide' with its slightly off key creepy guitar intro. The only thing that grates is the apparent desire to overwork the 'shock' elements a little too much, as with songs such as 'I love the dead'. That and the predictable 'Mary Ann' are possibly the down points of the album, and leave this CD with a slight feeling that it has tailed off at the end, but despite this I would have to rate this purchase as excellent. And produced by Bob Ezrin. Say no more.

One of the finest rock albums of all time,a must have for any serious rock music lover.Alice Cooper have never failed to deliver the goods,listen to this and you will see why.The addition of an extra disc containing rare and live tracks shows what a force they were and stiil are,despite many line up changes after this album.Buy it now or ,you won't regret it !

Simply one of the best Alice Cooper Albums ever, especially with the added benefit of the Live CD, Which Shows just how tight and competent the band were. All bases covered here, with Alices sneering vocals...from straight hard rock through to intelligent social comment, gentle love songs (with a twist !) Never take him too seriously....Brilliant A must have !!

If you have to buy and own one Alice Cooper Album, then this has got to be it.
The Alice Cooper group were at their creative best with this album and soon after,the group disbanded and "Alice Cooper" the solo artist, took on the mantle.
This album is an absolute superb example of that early era under the "Warner Bros" label.
Every track tells a story with no fillers whatsoever.
Every facet of rock music is covered and classic tracks like "Elected" and "No More Mr Nice Guy" nestle nicely amid more progressive numbers including "Unfinished Sweet" and "Sick Things"...
To top it all, this version includes an extra disc of live concert and out-take material....
Alice Cooper has subsequently released other quality material, but this album has never been surpassed...All in all a great package.

i had the vinyl copy but wanted to up date to the cd version.it was at a very good price and the quality,perfect.