Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits (CD - 1974)

Producers: Jack Richardson, Jack Douglas, Bob Ezrin.

With the future of the original Alice Cooper band in doubt by mid-1974 (they would soon break up for good with Alice going solo), Warner Bros. decided to issue a best-of compilation entitled Greatest Hits. If you're a newcomer to Alice, this 12-track compilation is a must-hear -- all the selections are exceptional. While many have chosen to focus primarily on Cooper's theatrics over the years, the original bandmembers were indeed supreme rock songwriters; such anthems as "I'm Eighteen," "Under My Wheels," "School's Out," and "No More Mr. Nice Guy" are unquestionably among the finest hard rock tracks of all time. And the other selections prove to be just as strong -- "Is It My Body," "Desperado," "Be My Lover," "Elected," "Billion Dollar Babies," and "Muscle of Love" are all outstanding as well. The only criticism of the original release is that the collection overlooked the band's key album tracks never issued as singles. ~ Greg Prato

Though the original Alice Cooper group's previous few records were major hits (LOVE IT TO DEATH, KILLER, SCHOOL'S OUT, and BILLION DOLLAR BABIES), and the band's concerts were selling out, touring burnout and the desire to pursue solo projects lead to the dissolution of the original cast. This 1974 best-of still stands as a monument to them.

The best-known selections from this superb 12-track collection include the perennial summertime fist-pumper "School's Out" and the breakthrough teen-alienation rocker "I'm Eighteen" But it doesn't just stop there--all the rest of the tracks are exceptional as well. Alice Cooper's GREATEST HITS is certainly a definitive collection when it comes to the first phase of Alice Cooper. minimize