Alice's new album is called Dirty Diamonds, and I think that is a pretty fitting title. Besides being the title of one of the songs, it also works as a description of the album. I have read that it was written and recorded in 13 days. In that short time Alice and crew have turned out a rough album that is full of gems of songs. This is a fun album that shows Alice running the gamut from old school rockers like "Woman of Mass Distraction" to the countryish "The Saga of Jesse Jane." With everything containing some great riffs and clever lyrics that have been a trademark of Cooper's for over 30 years.
The album has a mix of rockers and ballads, all with that Cooper edge. Although he is getting older, and has been around the block more than a few times, he still has that distinctive growl. A growl which, on demand, can recede back allowing a cleaner voice through, a voice which while safer sounding holds an edge of menace. He sounds great here, as he does whenever I here him sing. The band also sounds good, a rough, unproduced sound which fits Alice's gruff and growl like a glove. Ryan Roxie and Damon Johnson team up to provide the riffs and leads, giving the proceedings a sound that evokes the present rock scene, but doesn't betray the classic rock roots. Meanwhile, Chuck Garric on bass and Tommy Cufetos on drums lay down a solid rhythm bed on which Alice can lay down his vocals.
From a dedicated Alice coper fan
rated 10 out of ten
recomend listen to the ballads
