Eighteen and I Like It
The Record:
This episode dives into Alice Cooper's 1971 album “Love It to Death,” which was the band's commercial and critical breakthrough. Songs like "I'm Eighteen" and "Ballad of Dwight Fry" established their signature theatrical hard rock sound.
"I'm Eighteen" features an iconic guitar riff and lyrics about the limbo between youth and adulthood. It was released as a single ahead of the album to test the waters.
"Ballad of Dwight Fry" introduces Alice's 'madman' persona and takes its name from 1930s character actor Dwight Frye (famously Renfield from Bela Lugosi’s Dracula). This madman persona would continue through Alice's solo career in various forms (see “Steven” from “Welcome to My Nightmare”.
Other highlights are the weird tribal vibe of "Black Juju", the catchy "Hallowed Be My Name", and the strangely beautiful piano transition between “Second Coming” and “Dwight Fry.”
The cover of "Sun Arise" by Ralph Harris closes the album on an ominous yet uplifting note with its slowed down surf rock vibe.
Producer Bob Ezrin contributed many signature elements to Love It to Death that defined the early Alice Cooper sound as well as the Bob Ezrin sound.
Links to Music
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The Whiskey:
We're sipping Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years. On the nose there are sweeter notes like toffee and vanilla before more subtle dark chocolate, tart fruit, and smoky peat flavors emerge.
The 18 years smooths out the flavors and the whiskey evolves on the palate much like the protagonist of "I'm Eighteen" as he crosses into adulthood.
While not the most complex Scotch, Johnnie Walker 18 makes for a mellow, refined experience. Much like “Love It to Death” stands as a milestone album in Alice Cooper's storied catalog, this bottle delivers an enjoyable, pleasant experience without any negative qualities.
You might even say that it’s eighteen and we like it.
Get Jonnie Walker Aged 18 Years at Drizly or, better yet, support your favorite locally-owned liquor store.