Brutal Planet Era

Background

Brutal Planet is the 21st 'Alice Cooper' studio album and was released in 2000. Arriving six years after The Last Temptation, this was the longest gap between albums of Alice's career and was eagerly anticipated by fans.

 

During this downtime the music industry continued to evolve, with a breed of 'Nu Metal' bands such as Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson and Slipknot 

becoming highly popular with their broad-appealing music. Manson (real name Brian Warner) made no secret of Alice's influence on him, going so far as to give himself a female-sounding stage alias and wearing make-up! Never one to shirk a challenge, Alice's first album of the 21st century embraced the Nu Metal scene head-on with a heavy, industrial, sound that delighted fans of Raise Your Fist And Yell.

 

As with many of his albums, a central theme flowed throughout. This time round (and as the album title suggests) it was about the often brutal planet that we live on and covers hard-hitting themes like massacre, famine, domestic abuse and war. Alice has often stated that his inspiration for the album was simply by watching the news on CNN and that some of the items they cover are worse than any of the controversial things he became infamous for on stage during the 1970's. Real-life horror so to speak!

 

The title track kicks the album off in raucous style, with Alice warning of the material perils of our planet (past, present and future). Wicked Young Man is a genuinely hard-hitting tale about the planning of a school massacre, which is largely based on the incident at Columbine in 1999. The lighter-toned Sanctuary is an ode to the hamster-wheel that is life in America and the often futile pursuit of tranquillity in the safe confines of home.

 

Blow Me A Kiss, one of the album's more thought-proving tracks, principally deals with the theme of psychopathy. The far blunter Eat Some More sees Alice expressing his dismay at the irony of food waste by developed countries in a world still full of starving people.

 

The moody, downbeat, Pick Up The Bones is tailor-made for Alice, who is absolutely in his element as he denounces the tragedy of war. The disturbing Pessi-Mystic has a bleak eeriness that provides enough negativity to put the most upbeat of listeners in a sombre mood. The albums only single, Gimme, is Alice's personal warning of the potential consequences of greed, a point underlined nicely in the supporting video.

 

It's The Little Things provides a dose of light humour as remarks about those daily annoyances that drive us all to the brink of insanity. Whilst amusing, it struggles to sit snuggly amongst its more serious surroundings. It is helped somewhat though by the fact that the following Take It Like A Woman, the near-customary ballad which reminds us that domestic abuse was still prevalent 25 years on from his hit Only Women Bleed.

 

The final track is the intriguing Cold Machines, a blistering forewarning of the unsociable, zombie-like, world of the future (how right Alice was, only I'm not sure even he saw it coming so quickly). What makes this especially interesting is that it has more than a passing resemblance to Marilyn Manson's The Beautiful People from 1996. This surely wasn't a coincidence and I'd like to think this was Alice acknowledging his influence on Manson and deciding to help himself to some of it back!   

 

Brutal Planet is that near-perfect balance of a strong concept backed up by great songs. The strong morality of the content means that Alice becomes an unlikely role-model for recognising the wrongs of our world (even though he doesn't necessarily have the answers about how to fix them).  

Brutal Planet Album Cover

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2011, Night Of The Vinyl Dead, NIGHT 103

Brutal Planet was not subject to a vinyl release when it first launched in 2000 as the format had near-enough died out by that stage. It wasn't until 2011 (around the time of its revival) that Night Of The Vinyl Dead addressed this with this European limited-to-500-copies edition.

 

This release comes in a bespoke cardboard straight-jacket outer case, with arms that wrap around the back and slot into two grooves at the front. A small hole at the back peers through to the album and enables you to see which hand-numbered copy you have (this one being #102).

 

As with the original CD release (below), the front cover features an image of Alice with half of his face hidden by a shadow. Under his right eye are some mysterious symbols and behind him is an industrial-looking backdrop with creepy embedded faces and eyes! 

 

If you manage to free yourself from the jacket then inside is a nice traditional gatefold sleeve album featuring the original Brutal Planet artwork. The vinyl itself is black with the same image of Alice reflected on either side. Also included is a nice booklet which includes more of the original artwork plus track listings, lyrics and credits. 

 

To date, this is easily the best version of this album on vinyl. The only thing to note is that the outer case is quite delicate and fiddly so could probably be easily damaged if mis-handled. For this reason (and the fact that it's quite rare) this version is best-suited for collectors only.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2011, Back On Black, RCV058LP

After waiting over 10 years for a vinyl version of Brutal Planet, the Night Of The Vinyl Dead version (above) was closely followed by this European 180 gram offering from Back On Black. There was no fancy cover this time but it was a good opportunity for those that missed out on that release to get hold of a copy at the second attempt (this version was also cheaper).

 

Initially available on limited edition translucent yellow vinyl (like this one), and then on black vinyl, this version again features a nice gatefold design. There is no booklet though so the track listings, lyrics and credits now appear on the inside of the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2016, Cargo Records, CARLP 168

This further 180 gram European pressing of Brutal Planet by Cargo Records features a simple (and very shiny) card sleeve with an opaque purple disc housed in a separate inner sleeve including original artwork, track listings and credits. This version is understood to be limited to 500 copies, but is not numbered.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2016, Cargo Records, CARLP 168

This further 180 gram European pressing of Brutal Planet by Cargo Records is exactly the same as the above version (including the product code) only that disc is now a partially translucent gold marble effect colour. Again, this version is understood to be limited to 500 copies, but is not numbered.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2017, Cargo Records, CARLP 168

This further 180 gram European pressing of Brutal Planet by Cargo Records is exactly the same as the above versions (including the product code) only that disc is now translucent turquoise in colour. Again, this version is understood to be limited to 500 copies, but is not numbered.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2018, Ear Music, 0212924EMX

This further European 180 gram vinyl re-issue of Brutal Planet by Ear Music features a black vinyl disc and is notable because it also comes with a CD copy of the album in a simple card sleeve.

 

Also included is a nice gatefold sleeve featuring artwork from the original CD release booklet (see above). A double-sided paper inlay includes further original artwork and track listings and lyrics. Additional artwork and credits are provided on the inner sleeve.

 

This edition is also limited to 3,000 individually numbered copies (of which mine is #1,349).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2022, eOne, SPT-LP-15038

Following their Dragontown 2019 Record Store Day release, eOne subsequently planned a 'Colour On Colour' vinyl release of Brutal Planet in the USA and Canada as part of Record Store Day 2021. However, it was latterly re-scheduled to Record Store Day 2022 and changed to a less exciting 'Brutal Brown' design for unknown reasons.

 

Featuring a gatefold sleeve, this version includes a Record Store Day hype sticker (which states 2021, rather than 2022), two opaque brown 180 gram discs and a digital download code on a piece of paper. The custom vinyl labels feature the same Brutal Planet era image.

 

Having the album spread over two discs initially seems somewhat bizarre, as previous releases proved that it comfortably fits on a single disc. This means that you have to play it at 45 RPM speed, which is the traditional speed for 7" vinyl singles. However, it is also the optimum speed for audiophile vinyl albums and this is presumably why the decision was taken.

 

This release is understood to be limited to 5,000 copies. However, an almost identical edition (see below) hit stores at the same time and it is unclear if this number relates to both variants separately or combined.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet 12" Vinyl Album

2022, eOne, SPT-LP-15038

Unexpectedly released at the same time as the above 'Brutal Brown' version, this 'Brutal Bronze' Record Store Day 2022 edition of Brutal Planet by eOne is exactly the same except for the following differences:

 

> The hype sticker states 2022 rather than 2021;

 

> This discs are a translucent marble brown design; and

 

> The digital download is provided on an alternative design card.

 

As mentioned above, this release is understood to be limited to 5,000 copies, but it is unclear if this number relates to both variants separately or combined.

 

Given the odd circumstances behind this edition I can only assume that there were issues pressing the original 'Colour On Colour' design in 2021, which resulted in this rather messy dual / hybrid release in 2022. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: A further vinyl copy of this album is included in the Treasures box set release.

Brutal Planet Cassette Album

2000, Eagle Records, 74321 769584

Brutal Planet was subject to a release on cassette in Eastern Europe only. This version comes from Russia and includes the standard 11 tracks found on the original version of the album. The J-card contains abridged artwork.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet Promotional Sampler CD

2000, Eagle Records, EAGXS152P

This European 'Promotional Sampler' CD comes in a slimline jewel case and features Blow Me A Kiss, Brutal Planet and Take It Like A Woman (all from the Brutal Planet album). The front cover is similar to the main album but doesn't include the background artwork behind Alice's face.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet Promotional CD Album

2000, Spitfire Records, ADV-038

This USA promotional CD comes in a simple card sleeve, features a purple CD, and contains all 11 tracks from the official album. Notably though, the order of the tracks is different to the final version with all the tracks after the opener (Brutal Planet) shifted around.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet Promotional CD Album

2000, Eagle Records, EAGCD115

This European promotional CD is less professional looking than the USA version (above), with a crude paper sleeve contained in a slimline jewel case and blue CD-R. The track listings are again in the same mixed form.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet CD Album

2000, Eagle Records, EAGCD115

This 'Limited European Edition' CD version of Brutal Planet came out upon the albums immediate UK release in 2000. It comes in a card slipcase and features a fold-out poster of Alice above a building topped off with a 'Brutal Planet' sign (which also featured on the Gimme CD single cover, below).

 

Also included in the jewel case is a booklet featuring lyrics, track listings, credits and some more images of Alice.

 

This was the first time that multimedia content had been provided for an Alice release, with PC users treated to a screensaver featuring 3 Brutal Planet themed images (all from the artwork contained in this release).

 

I really liked this album when it came out so the original copy is well used (as you'll see from the images below). I therefore purchased another sealed copy of this classic release for future use.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet CD Album

2000, Eagle Records, 8573839032

This 'Exclusive Australasian Edition' of Brutal Planet is notable due the inclusion of the previously unreleased bonus track Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me. This track has a brief mention in the booklet but, other than that, it is almost identical to the UK version (above), minus the additional goodies.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet CD Album

2001, Eagle Records, EDGTE115

This 'Limited European Tour Edition' CD version of Brutal Planet was released in the UK in the summer of 2001 and features a striking blue slipcase. There does not appear to be any information available on how 'limited' this release was, but my two copies (one used and one sealed) are numbers 09585 and 00005 respectively (the latter previously belonging to someone involved in the production of the album).

 

Unlike the original UK release (above), this version comes with two CD's. The first includes the standard Brutal Planet album whereas the second disc features four live tracks (It's The Little Things, Wicked Young Man, Poison and My Generation) taken from the Brutally Live concert DVD. Also included on disc two is a low budget video of It's The Little Things (set against footage from Brutally Live) and a decent 35-minute 'Total Rock Rockumentary', which includes a mixture of interviews with Alice and snippets from musical influences and his own material. Amongst the topics discussed are:

 

> His upbringing in Detroit;

> His Dad's career as a car salesman;

> The influence of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones;

> How he runs new music by his sister due to the honesty of her responses;

> His time with The Earwigs and The Spiders;

> The influence of Frank Zappa;

> The origins of the name Alice Cooper and his adoption of it;

> The influence of Bob Ezrin;

> The split of the original Alice Cooper group for artistic reasons; and

> The influence of real life tragedies on the Brutal Planet album.

 

The booklet provided is exactly the same as the original release.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet CD Album

2006, Eagle Rock, 8285

This budget European re-issue of Brutal Planet comes in a jewel case and features a live image of Alice (from the Trashes The World tour).

 

Also included is an interesting booklet, which features a two-page biography plus handy matrix tables showing most of the Alice Cooper (band and solo) single and album releases and chart positions in the USA, UK, Germany, Holland and Australia. At the back of the booklet are track titles and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet CD Album

2007, Weton Exclusive, WX043

This further budget European re-issue of Brutal Planet features different artwork throughout. Instead of the dark artwork of the original, we get a computer generated image of a snake set against a dark red background.

 

Also on offer is a jewel case, a CD complete with further snake artwork and an eight-page booklet featuring track listings, credits and a biography on Alice's early years (this is slightly odd seeing as the album, which is not mentioned at all, came out in 2000!).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Pick Up The Bones CD Album

2007, Music Sessions, MS045

To the untrained eye, this European CD of 'His Latter Recordings' might appear to offer a selection of songs covering Alice's 21st century albums. Instead, this is actually just Brutal Planet with a different name and artwork.  It's a good job then that Brutal Planet is a fine album, but the packaging is certainly a bit misleading for what is, in truth, a non-essential purchase.

 

This release features a card slip case and a jewel CD case complete with a simple paper inlay, which includes track listings and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Early Days Alice Cooper Shock Rock CD Album

2011, Starline Media, SME015-2

Following hot on the heels of the bizarre Pick Up The Bones (above) is this further European release. Again, it is just the original version of Brutal Planet but the title has swung completely the other way by implying that it includes music from 'The Early Days' of Alice's career. Whilst Alice is indeed the undisputed king of shock rock, this material is the best part of 30 years after he achieved that status.

 

This release features a jewel CD case complete with a simple paper inlay, which includes track listings and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: Further CD copies of this album are featured in the Compilations section of this website.

Gimme Promotional CD Single

2000, Spitfire Records, PRO 5038-D

This USA promotional CD comes in a jewel case and features the radio and album versions of Gimme plus the unedited 'exploding heads' music video.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Gimme Promotional CD Single

2000, Eagle Records, EAGXS157

 

This UK promotional CD (which is a CD-R variety) comes in a slimline jewel case and features only the 'Video Edit' of Gimme.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Gimme CD Single

2000, Eagle Records, EAGXS157

This UK CD single features the 'Radio Edit' of Gimme, Brutal Planet and the 'banned' video of Gimme. It comes in a slimline jewel case and features the image of Alice standing on top of a building from the Brutal Planet album booklet (above).

 

The version of Gimme is the almost the same as that featured on the Brutal Planet album but is about 30 seconds shorter and does not include the spoken "Nothing's Free" segment in the middle of the song.

 

The banned video of Gimme is essentially the same as that viewed on MTV at the time but includes the final few seconds where the heads of the boy band explode.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Blow Me A Kiss Promotional CD Single

2000, Spitfire Records, CD-PRO 5038

This USA promotional CD comes in a jewel case and features only the album version of Blow Me A Kiss.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

It's The Little Things Promotional CD Single

2000, Spitfire Records, CD-PRO 5038-C

This USA promotional CD comes in a jewel case and features only the album version of It's The Little Things.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Alice Cooper Generic Interview CD

2000, Eagle Records

This uninspiringly titled European CD features Alice providing short (generally about 60 second) answers to 14 questions, the majority of which are centred around the Brutal Planet album. The questions asked can be seen in the inlay image below. Additionally, the track Blow Me A Kiss is provided in full at the end of the CD (which is a CD-R variety).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Brutal Planet US Promotional Sticker

2000

This large unapplied vinyl sticker was used to promote the Brutal Planet album in the USA and is slightly smaller than that of a CD case.

Brutal Planet Keyring

2000

This cool industrial looking metal keyring was sold at merchandise stalls during the 2000 UK Brutal Planet tour.

Brutal Planet 2001 European Tour Shirt

This Brutal Planet 2001 tour shirt was purchased at The Bournemouth International Centre on 15th May.  

 

The front and back of the shirt features artwork from the Brutal Planet album. Also provided on the back are listing of all the dates from the 2001 European tour between the 10th and 21st May.

For the Brutally Live concert release Click Here.

For the Dragontown era Click Here.