The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Era

Background

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper is the 23rd 'Alice Cooper' studio album and was released in 2003. Following the heavy nature of Brutal Planet and Dragontown, Alice changed tack for his latest offering by going back to his Detroit roots and revisiting the garage rock that he became famous for in the early 70's with the Alice Cooper Group (most notably, with Killer). 

 

The majority of the material was written with his touring guitarists of the time, Eric Dover and Ryan Roxie with the result being a fresh-sounding set of largely radio-friendly tracks that would appeal to a broad audience. Released at the height of the digital music revolution, The Eyes Of Alice Cooper did not perform well but was generally well-received.

 

There is plenty of strong material on offer here. What Do You Want From Me?, Between High School & Old School and Man Of The Year are a dazzling opening trio that combine punchy, toe-tapping, rock with a sprinkling of Alice good humour (even if it feels somewhat weird to hear him singing about the Xbox in the former). Novocaine is a real highlight, as Alice brutally compares his lost feelings of love for someone to the effects of the pain-numbing drug. Later on, the equally catchy Love Should Never Feel This Way explores similar territory of tainted love. 

 

The thumping Detroit Story is a marvellous tribute to Alice's home town and, unknown at the time, was to sow the seeds for the Detroit Stories album 18 long years later. Spirits Rebellious is even more furious and offers some solace to those who wanted a follow-up to Brutal Planet and Dragontown.

 

There are few discreet nods to a few previous Alice classics here. This House Is Haunted harks back to Steven and the days of Welcome To My Nightmare (although not quite in the same league) and Backyard Brawl feels like a re-boot of Gutter Cats Vs The Jets from the School's Out album.

 

On reflection, there is very little below-grade material here with only Bye Bye Baby, Be With You A While and I'm So Angry failing to make par (although only by a stroke or two). This is with the exception of The Song That Didn't Rhyme, which as the title suggests, is beyond silly and, intended irony aside, definitely deserves to be shanked out-of-bounds. 

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Album Cover

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2003, Spitfire Records, S160018

Unlike Brutal PlanetDragontown and Dirty Diamonds, The Eyes Of Alice Cooper was subject to a vinyl release upon launch. In contrast to the CD versions (below) this was only available with the primary 'Red Eyes' cover, which features a close-up image of Alice's face, in classic spider-eye make-up, with red eyes and his face covered by a jewel encrusted covering. The image on the back of the sleeve is also notable, as it features a candid photo of Alice and his touring band at the time (this wasn't previously seen since the days of the original Alice Cooper Group).  

 

This version features a simple sleeve design and a nice glossy inner sleeve including track listings, lyrics and credits. The black vinyl disc is provided with bespoke labels featuring Alice's (uncoloured) eyes on either side.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2011, Back On Black, RCV061LP

This 180 gram vinyl re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper by Back On Black offered fans who missed out on the original vinyl release (above) to obtain a copy. Initially available on opaque white vinyl (like this one), and then on standard black vinyl, this version features an alternative gatefold design with track listings, lyrics and credits on the inside. The vinyl labels are also different, with Alice's (red) eyes appearing on one side and two blended images of Alice on the other.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2016, Cargo Records, CARLP 165

This further 180 gram European re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper by Cargo Records features a simple (and very shiny) card sleeve with a translucent blue 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. The vinyl labels are similar to the original release (above) but now feature red (rather than uncoloured) eyes.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2016, Cargo Records, CARLP 165

This further European re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper by Cargo Records is exactly the same as the above version (including the product code) only that disc is now a translucent clear design. Again, this version is understood to be limited to 500 copies, but is not numbered.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2016, Cargo Records, CARLP 165

This further European re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper by Cargo Records is exactly the same as the above versions (including the product code) only that disc is now a partially translucent silver marble effect colour. Again, this version is understood to be limited to 500 copies, but is not numbered.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper 12" Vinyl Album

2020, Ear Music, 0214318EMX

This 'Limited Edition' European 12" vinyl re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper by Ear Music features a gatefold sleeve and includes a black 180 gram disc.

 

This is exactly the same as the copy included in the 2019 Treasures box set (also by Ear Music) only that the disc is no longer coloured and a 'Virgin Vinyl' hype sticker is provided on the front of the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

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

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Cassette Album

2003, BMG Russia, 82876 56955 4

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper was subject to a release on cassette in Eastern Europe. This version comes from Russia and features the 'Red Eyes' cover (like the vinyl version, no variants of the cover were produced).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Promotional CD Album

2003, Eagle Records

This USA promotional 'Advance CD' album comes in a jewel case and features all 13 tracks from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper. There's no booklet or front cover but the back includes track listings. The CD states 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY NOT FOR SALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Promotional CD Album

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090

This European promotional CD features a simple paper sleeve and features all 13 tracks from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper. The rear of the sleeve includes track listings and image of Alice with his arms crossed. Both the rear of the sleeve and CD (which is a blue CD-R type variety) state 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR SALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Red Eyes Version)

2003, Eagle Records, ER 20028-2

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper was initially available in 4 different limited edition CD variants. They were all identical with the exception of Alice's eyes (and the artwork around the letter 'A' of 'Alice') being a different colour on the front of the booklet and in some, but not all, territories, the CD too.

 

This USA version features Red Eyes, which was the primary colour used for the album (see above vinyl and cassette releases).

 

The CD comes in a jewel case and features a nice 16-page booklet containing lots of images of Alice, track listings and credits. Some of the images contained in the booklet (including another of Alice with the touring band) were not provided in the vinyl and cassette releases.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Green Eyes Version)

2003, Eagle Records, ER 20028-2

This further USA copy is exactly the same as the 'Red Eyes' version (above) only that it features green eyes on the front cover. The eyes on the CD remain red though and my understanding is that all USA versions had red eye discs regardless of their colour on the cover (they also feature the same product code, whereas the European ones are different for each variant, which helps identify the specific version that fans might be after).

 

This copy also has the original hype sticker on the front of the case.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Purple Eyes Version)

2003, Eagle Records, ER 20028-2

This further USA copy is exactly the same as the above versions only that it features purple eyes on the front cover (the eyes on the CD are again red).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Blue Eyes Version)

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090B

This European copy is almost exactly the same as the USA version above only that it features 'Spitfire Active' branding on the back and blue eyes on both the front cover and CD (as indicated by the product code suffix). 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Green Eyes Version)

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090G

This further European copy is exactly the same as the above version only that it features green eyes on the front cover and CD (as indicated by the product code suffix).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album (Purple Eyes Version)

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090P

This further European copy is exactly the same as the above version only that it features purple eyes on the front cover and CD (as indicated by the product code suffix).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Eyes Of Alice Cooper CD Album

2009, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090

This budget Czech Republic CD re-issue of The Eyes Of Alice Cooper features a unique A5 card sleeve that includes abridged artwork from the original release (above) on the front and back. Additional 'CD Sport' branding and promotional material other releases are also provided. 

 

The CD features red eyes and simply slots into the top of the sleeve. No booklet is provided, making this a very basic package.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

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

Novocaine Promotional CD Single

2003, Eagle Records, CDPRO 20028-2

This USA 1-track promotional CD comes in a jewel case and features the album version of Novocaine only (from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). No booklet or front cover is provided, but the back includes an image of Alice plus the dates for the American leg of the Autumn 2003 'The Eyes Of Alice Cooper' tour.

 

The CD states 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR SALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

The Song That Didn't Rhyme Promotional CD Single

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITXS250

This European promotional CD comes in a slimline jewel case and features The Song That Didn't Rhyme and Novocaine (both from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). A simple paper inlay is provide featuring artwork from the album release (above) plus track listings and credits.

 

Both the CD and inlay state 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR RESALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love Should Never Feel Like This Promotional CD

2003, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090

 

This very rare European promotional CD comes in a simple wrap-around paper sleeve and features Live Should Never Feel Like This and Novocaine (both from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). The sleeve features artwork from the album release (above) plus track listings and credits.

 

Both the CD (which is a blue CD-R type variety) and sleeve state 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR RESALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Man Of The Year Promotional CD Single

2004, Spitfire Records, SPITCD090

This rare European promotional CD comes in a simple wrap-around paper sleeve and features Man Of The Year and Novocaine (both from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). The sleeve features artwork from the album release (above) plus track listings and credits.

 

Both the CD (which is a blue CD-R type variety) and sleeve state 'FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR RESALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Man Of The Year Promotional CD Single

2004, Eagle Records, CDPRO 20028-B

This USA promotional CD comes in a jewel case and features the album version of Man Of The Year (from The Eyes Of Alice Cooper album) plus live versions of I'm Eighteen and Elected, both of which are taken from the Brutally Live DVD release. The largely generic inlay artwork is based on the Eagle Records Logo whilst inside are dates for the extensive American leg of the 2004 'The Eyes Of Alice Cooper' USA tour.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Man Of The Year Promotional CD Single

2003, Playground Music

 

This rare one-track Swedish promotional CD single comes in a simple card sleeve and features Man Of The Year (from the Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). The CD is completely blank and there is no product code provided. The sleeve states 'For promotional use only'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love Should Never Feel Like This Promotional CD Single

2003, Playground Music

 

This further rare one-track Swedish promotional CD single comes in a simple card sleeve and features Love Should Never Feel Like This (from the Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). The CD is completely blank and there is no product code provided. The sleeve states 'For promotional use only'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Playground Music Deluxe Sampler Promotional CD

2003, Playground Music

 

This further Swedish promotional CD single comes in a simple card sleeve and features 21 tracks by various artists, including Detroit City (from the Eyes Of Alice Cooper album). The CD is completely blank and there is no product code provided. The sleeve states 'For promotional use only'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

For the Dirty Diamonds era Click Here.