“Muscle Of Love was the last album recorded by the original ALICE COOPER 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 because 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, we love this album. It’s got memorable ALICE COOPER songs and is a fantastic listen beginning to end. And now the great news: ”Muscle Of Love” is getting a deserved Expanded Deluxe Edition 2024 remaster.
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.
”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 (Ezrin right hand) and Jack Douglas (Aerosmith), 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.
This is a really good remaster, and the extras are worthy.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
CD1
01. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) (2024 Remaster)
02. Never Been Sold Before (2024 Remaster)
03. Hard Hearted Alice (2024 Remaster)
04. Crazy Little Child (2024 Remaster)
05. Working Up a Sweat (2024 Remaster)
06. Muscle of Love (2024 Remaster)
07. Man with the Golden Gun (2024 Remaster)
08. Teenage Lament '74 (2024 Remaster)
09. Woman Machine (2024 Remaster)
CD2
01. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) (Early Version)
02. Never Been Sold Before (Early Version)
03. Hard Hearted Alice (Alternate Mix)
04. Crazy Little Child (Early Version)
05. Working Up a Sweat (Alternate Mix)
06. Muscle of Love (Alternate Mix)
07. Man with the Golden Gun (Early Version)
08. Teenage Lament '74 (Acoustic Diversion)
09. Woman Machine (Alternate Mix)
10. Teenage Lament '74 (Single Version)
11. Muscle of Love (Single Version)
Alice Cooper – Muscle Of Love (2CD Expanded) [2024 Remastered] , MP3+FLAC
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