Great Rock Albums of 1980: Alice Cooper- Flush the Fashion

Back in 1980, this was the one album I was always intending to buy but never got around to actually doing so. It was there on the music counter of my PX for a number of months so I ask myself now, "Why did I never buy it?" The funny thing is that I have no answer to that question especially as "Flush the Fashion" was the follow up to my all time favourite Alice Cooper album "From the Inside." Maybe the reason is that except for it being at the PX, I don't remember anyone outside mentioning the album at all and therefore didn't take the chance. Having now finally listened to it, I can say that I regret that decision somewhat.

The early 1980s were dark days for Alice. He was heavily into drink and drugs and this was one of the albums he doesn't even remember recording. His career had been on the wane before that as many of his albums, except for "From the Inside," lacked that punch that was so in your face with his earlier albums. Saying that, he did have some Top 40 success during the late 70s.

"Flush the Fashion" was Alice Cooper's attempt to go more new wave. Like The Ramones, all of the songs, with exception of "Pain," are all well under the four minute mark and quite a few of those are less than three. But I must say, when I listened to the album, I do say that I liked it. "Clones" is a fantastic song and some others like "Model Citizen," "Talk Talk" and "Aspirin Damage" are all very good songs. Unlike the more progressive sound from his previous album, this one has a more straight forward hard rock feel to it and it works on many levels. Still it's not quite as good as that previous album or any of his more classic material.

Track Listing:

1. Talk Talk

2. Clones

3. Pain

4. Leather Boots

5. Aspirin Damage

6. Nuclear Infected

7. Grim Facts

8. Model Citizen

9. Dance Yourself to Death

10. Headlines

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper- lead vocals

Davey Johnstone- guitar

Fred Mandel- keyboards, guitar

Dennis Conway- drums

John Cooker Lopresti- bass

Howard Kaylan- backing vocals

Mark Volman- backing vocals

Keith Allison- backing vocals

Joe Pizzulo- backing vocals

Ricky Tierney- backing vocals

For Alice, "Flush the Fashion" was the beginning of a steep descent into near oblivion, which would only end a few more years down the line. I agree that he wasn't at the top of his game when he recorded it but when you listen to it, you can definitely imagine how good his albums were when he was at the top of his game.

Next post: Queen- The Game

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1980: The Ramones- End of a Century

Throughout the 70's there were a number of "family groups" who made the airwaves. We had the likes of The Jackson Five, The Osmonds and the De Franco family all of whom graced the pop charts in that decade. However, none of those mentioned, in my humble opinion, ever came close to matching The Ramones. Except for the Sex Pistols, The Ramones were the first punk band (at least that's what they were labelled as back then) that I listened to. I have always dug their one, two, three go playing style with songs that totally stomp you into the ground in less than three minutes and it was their 1980 album, "End of the Century" that did it.

When I listened to the album again, I had the same reaction that I had when I first listened to it thirty plus years ago. I thought the first three tracks were all right but nothing to get terribly excited over and then "Chinese Rock" just came out and totally kicked my ass. Just like old times, I found myself wanting to slam dance around the living room. The rest of the album just kind of followed suit after that. "Let's Go" and "I Can't Make It On Time" were also stand outs as well but this album just happens to feature my all time favourite Ramones tune, "Rock And Roll High School." I still love how they add the 50's style harmonizing with the hard fast sound they're known for. A great song because for the past three decades I continue to sing those lyrics:

"I just want to get some kicks

 "I just want to get some chicks."

Track Listing:

1. Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio

2. I'm Affected

3. Danny Says

4. Chinese Rock

5. The Return of Jack and Judy

6. Let's Go

7. Baby, I Love You

8. I Can't Make It On Time

9. This Ain't Havana

10. Rock And Roll High School

11. All the Way

12. High Risk Insurance

The Ramones

Joey Ramone- lead vocals

Johnny Ramone- lead guitar

Dee Dee Ramone- bass, backing vocals

Marky Ramone- drums

It can be argued that The Ramones were the early pioneers of speed metal. After all, not many bands, then or now have albums that contain twelve tracks but have a total length of less than 35 minutes. These guys were ahead of their time and many bands easily cite them as an influence. With an album like "End of the Century," it's easy to see why.

Next post: Alice Cooper- Flush the Fashion

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London