On most days Muscle Of Love is my favorite ALICE COOPER album. It was the last of the original band, being released near the end of 1973. It was the follow up to the band’s biggest album, and massive – Billion Dollar Babies, released earlier in that same year! While Muscle Of Love didn’t sell as well as it’s predecessor, it did go Gold and hit the Top 10 in the US, while making it to #4 in Canada (RPM). It didn’t boast as many hit singles as Billion Dollar Babies, the hit singles being “Teenage Lament ’74” and “Muscle of Love”, but it did feature a number of classic Cooper tracks such as the lead off “Big Apple Dreamin”, “Never Been Sold Before”, the ballad “Hard Hearted Alice”, and cool closing cut “Woman Machine”. A bit less theatrical than the string of classic albums leading up to this, but this is just a great rock n roll album! Perhaps it was a bit rushed at the time(?) and with Bob Ezrin not producing it, nor guitarist Glen Buxton playing much of a role on it, and a good portion of this album never played live, Muscle Of Love did not get a fair shake compared to those leading up to it!? Either way, I love this album. It’s got 9 memorable AC songs and is a fantastic listen beginning to end. So I am extremely excited for this release – the last of America’s Greatest rock n roll band!
Check out the press info, clips, and ordering link below.
The definitive version of the band’s seventh and final full-length offering encompasses 11 previously unreleased tracks, spanning recently unearthed Early Versions and Alternate Mixes of staple songs. Additionally, the liner notes feature an in-depth and immersive track-by-track account of the story behind MUSCLE OF LOVE, as told to renowned music journalist Jaan Uhelszki. She spoke extensively to Cooper, guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, drummer Neal Smith, and additional guitarist Mick Mashbir to compile the most comprehensive discourse on this record ever published thus far.
MUSCLE OF LOVE saw the band double down on their rock ‘n’ roll roots, delivering an uncompromising body of work buoyed by impeccable playing, massive hooks, and good old-fashioned Detroit grit. Produced by Jack Richardson and Jack Douglas, it cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and scored a Gold certification from the RIAA. This uncompromising body of work includes the famed title track “Muscle of Love” as well as “Teenage Lament ’74,” “Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo),” and “Hard Hearted Alice.” It would also be the final album recorded by the original band, and they definitely went out with a bang, to say the least.
LP 1
A1. Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo)
A2. Never Been Sold Before
A3. Hard Hearted Alice
A4. Crazy Little Child
B1. Working Up A Sweat
B2. Muscle Of Love
B3. Man With The Golden Gun
B4. Teenage Lament ’74
B5. Woman Machine
LP 2
C1. Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo) (Early Version)
C2. Never Been Sold Before (Early Version)
C3. Hard Hearted Alice (Alternate Mix)
C4. Crazy Little Child (Early Version)
D1. Working Up A Sweat (Alternate Mix)
D2. Muscle Of Love (Alternate Mix)
D3. Man With The Golden Gun (Early Version)
D4. Teenage Lament ’74 (Acoustic Diversion)
D5. Woman Machine (Alternate Mix)
The CD version adds:
BluRay Disc Featuring The Quad Mixes
1. Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo)
2. Never Been Sold Before
3. Hard Hearted Alice
4. Crazy Little Child
5. Working Up A Sweat
6. Muscle Of Love
7. Man With The Golden Gun
8. Teenage Lament ’74
9. Woman Machine
Outsider Rock 