Alice Cooper “Love It To Death” 1971. Gatefold, released by Warner Bros. Why this for today’s pull from the vault? It’s Alice Cooper’s (Vincent Damon Furnier) birthday and I chose this album in particular because it is only one of two in our collection and 1971 is the year of my birth.

“Love It To Death” was Alice Cooper’s third album release, marking the band’s first real success (with the hit single “I’m Eighteen”) and the record reached #35 on the Billboard charts. I’ve never listened to Alice Cooper much as the band always struck me as metal-tinged shock-rock. Sadly I was only seeing the book for its cover. Reviewing “Love It To Death,” I’m struck by the similarities to late 60’s British rock like T. Rex. I also hear the influences of surf and psychedelia in the album’s rhythm and chord progressions. In summary, far more listenable than I had imagined – which should not be a surprise given the enormous influence Alice Cooper has had on musicians for 40+ years.