Muscle of Love [Extra tracks]

This is my own considered opinion how the album holds up in today by giving a breakdown of each track.

1. Big Apple Dreamin (Hippo)

Quite a slow deep sound with some awesome lyrics and fascinating string sections, a typical 70’s sound that is still appealing today. Surprised really that no one else has taken to singing this track. (9/10)

2. Never Been Sold Before.
A song with some good guitar work and very listen-able, although could now be taken up-tempo a bit, but it wears well. (6/10)

3. Hard Hearted Alice
Very soft opening vocals to a late sixties type electric organ music, a sort of Cream/Doors feel that quite nostalgic. Has a melody where the tempo builds to a crescendo, with some good bass and drum work along the way. The lyrics are skilful, having some good clichés that can still provoke a smile. This would be my favourite from the album, although when bought as a spotty kid probably not! (9/10)

4. Crazy Little Child
Piano based blues/jazz feel that wouldn’t go out of place in the film Chicago. Not a typical Cooper song, but a considered little ditty that sits well in the album. (7/10)

5. Working Up A Sweat
The tempo is taken up a bit on this track, with Alice and the band obviously working hard and enjoying their selves in the process. This is a characteristic Alice Cooper song, again with some good worked clichés, put together in an intelligent manner, with the chorus emphasising what the theme of the album is about. A good rock track that should be played in today’s Coopers tours, with my only one criticism is that it could be a bit longer! (8/10)

6. Muscle of Love
The title track of the album and worthy of being a hit single, but can you imagine this being released in the early seventies! Shame really. A good rock feel to it and one that should have been played a lot more. (9/10)

7. Man With the Golden Gun
This is another of my personal favourites. Apparently this was in the running for the James Bond film of the same title, but alas they decided on Lulu’s song!

There are two reasons I can think of that this wasn’t chosen for the film. The first being the notoriety the band had at the time and the other that the band wasn’t British! Just my opinion and only an opinion.

Anyway it starts with quite deep, slow cords with vocals complimenting every twist and turn, having backing vocals that haunt distinctively throughout, with a horns section just to provide the polish to make it that gutter cat sort of song. (9/10)

8. Teenage Lament ‘74
The hit single on the album, and still plays well today, but unfortunately isn’t played on the radio. A good inspired song that meant a lot to me as a kid.

Again having female backing vocals that could have been taken out of Motown to provide the ambience and the rhythm. (8/10)

9. Woman Machine
This is how all albums should finish. Starts a little slow and perhaps a little lazy or can even be viewed as going through the motions.

However, if you listen to it properly it’s quite a tight set that sets the mood, with a simple drumbeat that hits the spot. It builds up to a light upsurge of unusual sounds that just bubbles over the rim from about half way through spilling, hissing, grasping and distorting that truly makes it a fine track. Again could have been a bit long at today’s standard. (8/10)

Finally, probably played this CD more times this last five weeks than I have ever played the original vinyl - the best seven quid I have spent in years.