Alice Cooper started off playing rebellious Rock music, which later developed into the Alice Cooper show with emphasis on the theatrical shock aspect. In the 80's Alice Cooper made some stunning Hard Rock Records. After being on hiatus Alice returned with "Brutal Planet" and "Dragontown", which both had industrial influences and both records were inspired by that time's cold machine-like sound. Never less they were great albums and 2003 saw Cooper approaching his starting point with "The Eyes of Alice Cooper".

With "Dirty Diamonds" everything comes full circle. Alice has gone the whole length and made a full blown 70's Rock record, where several songs sound like they are direct descendants of Under my Wheels.

The style is now labelled retro Rock but since Cooper did this in the 70's "Dirty Diamonds" seems a lot more trustworthy than 18 year-old kids playing "retro-rock". "Dirty Diamonds" follows the garage rock style from "The Eyes of Alice Cooper" and despite this is a better album, it still has a few sharp edges.

There are a couple of average songs; Your Own Worst Enemy and Steal that Car. The bonus track Stand is a modern hybrid of Rock and Rap. Hmm. The chorus works really well, but in general the old proverb "cobbler stick to your last" proves once again right. Somehow it is hard to find out whether Jesse Jane is hilarious or just ridiculous. The lyrics deal with the transvestite truck driver Jesse Jane that ends up in prison. Alice does his best Johnny Cash impression and performs the song country style.

However, there is plenty of straightforward garage rock on "Dirty Diamonds". The opener cleverly plays with words - Woman Of Mass Distraction. Another funny title is Sunset Babies (all Got Rabies) where a slightly distorted guitar lays a solid foundation for this rocker.

Zombie Dance has a Rolling Stones feel to it with a grinding harmonica played by Alice himself. Pretty Ballerina is a sugar-sweet ballad and Alice sounds so smooth that the music is almost to be mistaken for a musical box.

The highlights of "Dirty Diamonds" are the marvelous You make me Wanna, Run Down the Devil and the title track. On You Make Me Wanna the old shock master sets the record straight compared to newer bands like The Hellacopters. The mixture of acoustic guitar, fuzzy lead guitar, uh-huh choir makes this an irresistible gem. Alice Cooper is backed by classy guitarist Ryan Roxie and super bassist Chuck Garric and these guys play with such a feel that the songs comes alive rocking and swinging.

Dirty Diamonds opens with an emotional intro that sounds inspired by the soundtrack from Morricone's classic "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Soon the emotional and harmonious harmonica intro is broken by a thunderous guitar riff. The chorus is definitely the strongest on this record and Roxie spices the chorus by adding a neat little melody lick on the chorus, which becomes louder as the song progresses.

Run Down the Devil is directly linked to "Dragontown" with it's monstrous guitar sound and groovy rhythm. As always Cooper has a flair for great melodies and Run Down the Devil is no exception. Even though it comes wrapped up in thick guitars - the chorus and the great melody cannot be denied.

Overall "Dirty Diamonds" follows in the footsteps of "The Eyes Of Alice Cooper", but this record is more consistent. This is a time travel back to Cooper's start and with this album everything comes full circle for Alice Cooper. Even though Alice Cooper is an elderly man he still sounds fresh and inspired without losing integrity.

With "Dirty Diamonds" Alice Cooper goes back to his roots. His voice still sounds excellent and the album is packed with 3 minute power rockers, which I am sure, will blend in perfectly in his live set.

Written by Michael
Monday, July 4, 2005
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Michael: 7/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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hardrockfanatic Rating: 8/10 I love Alice Cooper. In my opinion, he set the standard for all stageshows and he, unlike ... · Read more ·

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Comment by Devon (Anonymous) - Friday, July 8, 2005

Alice is not elderly! What the hell?????

Comment by Andy K (Anonymous) - Friday, July 8, 2005

Just saw his new show in Australia. Alice still Rocks !!!

Comment by Jonah (Anonymous) - Friday, July 8, 2005

This again is a great album from teh most underestimated artist ever....

Comment by Del-Glasgow(Scotland) (Anonymous) - Saturday, July 9, 2005

I have supported Alice since 1972 - what a journey!! This is a great album. Lyrics are sharp and witty. Music is varied. Garage? NO its just Alice enjoyinh himself.... BUY IT NOW!!!!

Comment by Clive (England) (Anonymous) - Monday, July 11, 2005

The Coop still rocks, big time!! One of THE most talented performers ever. The music never sounds dated, tired or forced. This is yet another cracking album from The Master (altogether now - 'We're not worthy') Looking forward to the UK leg of the tour....

Comment by vicky (Anonymous) - Monday, July 11, 2005

Alice copper rocks and no one or nothing can put him down. all of his new albums are great.

Comment by Katrine (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Alice is my favourite artist, and this album is awsome. More than anythink i could wish for. I love it so much. I'm one of his younger fans, 15 that is, a proof that he still attracts young listeners. I love all of his work. Hail The Master!

Comment by Bill Dick (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 14, 2005

The Best Alice Cooper , Alice Still Kicks Ass

Comment by eGG (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 19, 2005

I am sorta in a band myself and Alice Cooper is our biggest influence. Alice is the greatest artist in the world. I am 17 and all my friends love his music eversince I played it for them.

Comment by Melanie (Germany) (Anonymous) - Friday, July 22, 2005

Alice' new Album is GREAT and his Concert, too!!! (I've saw Alice 2x on Tour in Germany) He rocks again - AND I LOVE HIM FOR THAT! T H A N K Y O U, A L I C E!!! ;D

Comment by KimG (Anonymous) - Sunday, July 24, 2005

I didn't know what to expect from this album but it has really surprised me in a positive way. A great album, 8/10!

Comment by Dustin McDaniel (Anonymous) - Monday, July 25, 2005

I can't get this album out of my CD player. I actually would give it better than a 7/10. It took a second listen to truly appreciate the greatness of this album and Alice's vocals sound better than they have in years. A different sounding Alice album, but I love it. Run Down The Devil is my favorite track. Coop may be getting up their in the years but at least in terms of musical creativity and sound he acts like he still has a few years left in him which you can't say about bands like KISS, Aerosmith, or Ozzy.

Comment by Marian (Anonymous) - Monday, July 25, 2005

I LOVE THIS NEW ALBUM!!! =) he's the BEST

Comment by raynard (Anonymous) - Friday, July 29, 2005

any Metal band can be extreme. but it takes Alice Cooper to make rock + Roll extreme!

Comment by Peter Black (Anonymous) - Sunday, August 7, 2005

Extremely well written in this day of rock journalisim that pulls a few "quotes" from an artists career and rolls it into an article about what the writer thinks of the artist and here is the catch "More Than His Music" Thank you.

Comment by michael (Anonymous) - Sunday, August 14, 2005

"Even though Alice Cooper is an elderly man..." You will think more than twice on that in about twenty years. I saw Alice Cooper a couple of years ago, he kicks out on stage. "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." ~Bob Dylan

Comment by Little Betty (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Listening to "Dirty Diamonds" was like the day when I was 12 years old, escaped into the basement and had my first listen to the forbidden-by-parents "Billion Dollar Babies!" And that's just how an Alice Cooper album should make you feel!

Comment by Little Betty (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Listening to "Dirty Diamonds" was like the day when I was 12 years old, escaped into the basement and had my first listen to the forbidden-by-parents "Billion Dollar Babies!" And that's just how an Alice Cooper album should make you feel!

Comment by Little Betty (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Listening to "Dirty Diamonds" was like the day when I was 12 years old, escaped into the basement and had my first listen to the forbidden-by-parents "Billion Dollar Babies!" And that's just how an Alice Cooper album should make you feel!

Comment by Little Betty (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Listening to "Dirty Diamonds" was like the day when I was 12 years old, escaped into the basement and had my first listen to the forbidden-by-parents "Billion Dollar Babies!" And that's just how an Alice Cooper album should make you feel!

Comment by Tim Aebi (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 16, 2005

As an avid Alice lover over the past 30 years, I can honestly say that this is one of the best albums he's ever done. Having come full circle, this version of Alice draws on everything from Killer to Brutal Planet, with doses of Special Forces and From the Inside thrown in for good effect. I haven't stopped listening to it since the US release date of 8/2. I love this guy. You can see him smile as he sings.

Comment by powerslave (Anonymous) - Wednesday, August 17, 2005

I went to see Alice Cooper when he came to Finland. The show was unbelievable!!! It's amazing how he still can do shows like this after all these years!

Comment by Easy A (Anonymous) - Monday, October 31, 2005

always keep rocking and never stop being crazy, weird, out of it... whatever it is you are

Comment by delboy (Anonymous) - Sunday, November 6, 2005

I found it a grower of an album 8.5's my rating.Jesse Jane's lyric's tongue in cheek but a great song.6 hours is my favourite.I may be gettin old(40)but the quieter songs appear stronger than the rockers. the songwriting and musicianship is very strong,and the Coop would do well to keep these young guns on board!

Comment by The Dude (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Man, Alice has still got it. He sounds exactly the same as the did 20 years from now (thats a good thing) and he's like 58! His radio show has started coming on, on my local radio station. He plays a lot of stuff you won't hear normally on a classic rock station, such as:Yardbirds,The Kinks, and Franks Zappa etc. I love it! it comes on, at 11:00 EST

Comment by Mohammad Ali (Anonymous) - Friday, May 19, 2006

Alice always ROOOCKS he rocks like hell is anybody can say that it dont rock!!! i have to say him shut the fuck

Comment by Veronica (Anonymous) - Monday, January 1, 2007

First of all, Alice c=Cooper is not elderly...middle aged yes but not elderly. Now about Alice Cooper, Alice is truly a genius and Dirty Diamonds is my favourite album made by any artist along with many of the Doors' albums and Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde and so forth. And in the albums booklet he says nothing about it being an impression of Johnny Cash, it was an experiment. He even said he wanted to send it to a country station as a joke.

Comment by Veronica (Anonymous) - Monday, January 1, 2007

The Saga of Jesse James that is

Review by hardrockfanatic (Member) - Thursday, May 6, 2010

View Profile Comments: 1 Ratings: 10 I love Alice Cooper. In my opinion, he set the standard for all stageshows and he, unlike many rockers his age, can still get it done in the studio and on stage. Dirty Diamonds is a solid Alice album. There are some great catchy songs on this one. However, I actually slightly prefer the heavier direction he went in with Brutal Planet and to a lesser degree Dragontown. This is a good listen but a little more mellow than a lot of us stuff in recent years. No hard rock fan should be without some Alice. Rating: 8/10 Posted by hardrockfanatic Thursday, May 6, 2010