ALICE COOPER – Trash +2 [Expanded Remastered Edition] +2 Japan Bonus

There’s always something slightly disingenuous about the term ‘comeback album’ – especially when an artist has never really left. Such was the case with ALICE COOPER’s 1989 Epic Records release “Trash”. But one certainly sees why the expression would be used to describe “Trash”.
Alice Cooper’s eighteenth studio release “Trash” became his first Top 20 album in the U.S. since 1975’s epochal Welcome to My Nightmare, his biggest-ever U.K. success with a No. 2 peak, and contained his first U.S. Top 10 hit single since 1977.
Now, “Trash” is back on an a expanded and remastered version from Cherry Red / Hear No Evil Records.

The early ’80s saw Alice Cooper looking lost, his various addictions had left him in a state and his career was slowly going downhill, with lousy album after lousy album.
So when Motley Crue and Quiet Riot were making a name for themselves with the formula that made Alice a big name, it seemed the ‘if you can’t beat em, join em’ approach became a good option.

If you listen to Welcome To My Nightmare and From The Inside, two of the most overlooked records in the Alice Cooper’s cannon, you see the seeds of glam metal being sown, the insane theatricality with the odd power balled stuffed in for effect.
Even though ’86 Constrictor saw Alice aiming towards a then contemporary sound, it wasn’t until 1989 with “Trash” that he became a commercial force once again.

Like Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation album, the album credits has a list as a who’s who of songwriters for hire, as well as a few famous faces thrown in.
Desmond Child is in the producer’s chair and co-writes most of the album, while the golden pen of Diane Warren also makes a contribution. Then you get some of the artists who Alice influenced lending a helping hand, such as Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Joan Jett.

“Poison” – the album’s eventual smash hit single that revitalized Cooper’s career – was a Cooper/Child co-write with guitarist John McCurry, and the first song they completed together. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora also joined in on the songwriting sessions for “Hell Is Living without You”, while Child brought in “House of Fire” which he had written with Joan Jett. Cooper finished the song, and it’s since become a live staple and one of my favorites from Alice.

“Trash” features star guest musicians as well, including Steven Tyler on the Bruce Roberts’ co-written “Only My Heart Talkin’”, Joe Perry on “House of Fire”, Jon Bon Jovi and Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer on the title track and Richie Sambora and Steve Lukather on “Hell is Living Without You”.

This Cherry Red / Hear No Evil remaster (handled by Andy Pearce – Rock Candy) of “Trash” is bright and crisp, adding as bonuses the rare Radio Edit of “Only My Heart Talkin’” as well as Alice Cooper’s cover of Spirit’s “I Got a Line On You” (produced by Richie Zito) from 1988’s Iron Eagle II soundtrack. This remaster was used for the Japanese reissue as well
Great album by Alice – Highly Recommended

01 – Poison
02 – Spark In The Dark
03 – House Of Fire
04 – Why Trust You
05 – Only My Heart Talkin’
06 – Bed Of Nails
07 – This Maniac’s In Love With You
08 – Trash
09 – Hell Is Living Without You
10 – I’m Your Gun
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Only My Heart Talkin’ (Radio Edit) [bonus track]
12 – I Got A Line On You [bonus track]

Alice Cooper: Lead Vocals
John McCurry, Guy Mann-Dude, Joe Perry, Jack Johnson, Mark Frazier: Guitar
Richie Sambora, Steve Lukather, Kane Roberts: Guitar solos
Hugh McDonald, Tom Hamilton: Bass
Bobby Chouinard, Joey Kramer: Drums
Alan St. John: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Paul Chiten: Add. Keyboards
Steve Deutsch: Synthesizer, Programming
Gregg Mangiafico: Special FX and add. Keyboards
Background Vocals: Bernie Shanahan, Desmond Child, Diana Graselli, Hugh McDonald, Jamie Sever, Jango, Joe Turano, Louie Merlino, Maria Vidal, Michael Anthony, Myriam Valle, Stiv Bators, Tom Teeley, Steven Tyler

Produced by Desmond Child

Out Of Print:
www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/alice-cooper/