Nov 05 2021
View Author
5
Initial thoughts as I started listening: Great week for short albums, I think this is 4 in a row that are about 35 mins. Love Alice Cooper, you know what you're going to get here.
After actually listening: You DO NOT know what you're going to get here. That was a trip, after 2 fairly basic rock tunes to open this album went on a wild trip across musical theatre, blues, jazz, and an orchestral closer. I can see people being put off by this but I really enjoyed it, while it was all over the map there was still a cohesion to it, and the amount of creativity and talent that went in is on display big time.
👍
Sep 21 2021
View Author
5
I wasn't expecting the sounds of this album to be as varied as they are.
👍
Apr 05 2021
View Author
4
A broadway show with guitars and snakes.
👍
Mar 23 2021
View Author
4
School's Out catapulted Alice Cooper into the hard rock stratosphere, largely due to its timeless, all-time classic title track. But while the song became Alice's highest-charting single ever (reaching number seven on the U.S. charts) and recalled the brash, three-and-a-half-minute garage rock of yore, the majority of the album signaled a more complex compositional directional for the band. Unlike Cooper's previous releases (Love It to Death, Killer), which contained several instantly identifiable hard rock classics, School's Out appears to be a concept album, and aside from the aforementioned title track anthem, few of the other tracks have ever popped up in concert. That's not to say they weren't still strong and memorable; while such cuts as "Gutter Cat vs. the Jets," "Street Fight," "My Stars," and "Grande Finale" came off like mini-epics with a slightly progressive edge, Alice Cooper still managed to maintain their raw, unrefined punk edges, regardless. Other highlights included the rowdy "Public Animal #9," the mid-paced "Luney Tune," and the sinister, cabaret-esque "Blue Turk."
👍
Mar 28 2024
View Author
3
The rockin' title track matches the energy of kids starting their summer. The rest of the album is good, too, but you just can't beat the excitement of the first day out of school.
👍
Jul 21 2021
View Author
3
'Schools out' might be the hit record but 'Blue Turk' is the piece de resistance on this enjoyable album.
👍
Dec 06 2021
View Author
5
Very bluesy, awesome album with a different sound every song and high school themes. I love it.
👍
May 28 2021
View Author
5
This is some classic rock with a great jazzy element.
👍
Dec 08 2022
View Author
4
Ok, I must be tripping because outside of the title track, this sound less like what I expected Alice Cooper to sound like and closer to an Amon Düül II record in spots.
A proggy, psychedelic surprise.
👍
Aug 06 2021
View Author
4
Very surprising.
Was not excited to give this a listen as I've grown up with (and every elementary school final day singing) "School's Out" and knowing some more of AC's hits, I did not expect the pleasantly *weird* variety herein.
The track "School's Out" needs no review other than everybody knows it, it's silly fun, but honestly nothing like what's to come and the least-interesting song on the album....
...horn-infested and more than a little creepy "Blue Turk"
...the West Side Story-ish "Gutter Cat vs The Jets"
..."Alma Mater" sounds like it was stolen from a Paul McCartney and Wings session.
..."My Stars" could (or should) have been a deep-cut on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (and frankly better than some of its throwaway tracks).
Alice(the singer - as this was also the name of the band at the time)'s vocals are almost instantly recognizable - for better or worse - but aside from that I would not have been able to identify any of these as an Alice Cooper recording. Preconceived notions shattered.
As a collection, the relatively short (37 minutes) length is perfect as it ends before it might get tiring. I almost can't believe I'm saying this but after 3 listens today I would listen to this again.
7/10 4 stars
👍
Mar 13 2021
View Author
3
Consistently unexpected song structures and proficient instrumentation redeem this record that would otherwise come off as a campy, kiddy halloween affair, similar to Alice Cooper's stage act at its most worn out. Plenty of great tongue-in-cheek moments to boot ("Grande Finale", "Alma Mater"). There's lots to like here even if it is sometimes insufferably whacky in a 70s "freak-out" sort of way. This is the type of record you'd hear spinning at an independently owned novelty shop.
👍
Jan 25 2021
View Author
3
Not what I expected, Blue Turk was nice.
👍
May 10 2021
View Author
2
Sounds like a concept album for a musical about a rebel in an American High school. Couple of cool songs and School's Out is obviously a classic, but a bit lightweight from someone like Alice Cooper, not what I expected
👍
Mar 08 2021
View Author
2
I've never been a fan of Alice Cooper. I was surprised by some horns and jazz/soul type arrangements, but i have no urge to seek this one out.
👍
Feb 06 2023
View Author
5
Two words. Fuck yeah!
👍
Jul 02 2022
View Author
5
Expected a cheesy glam rock stomper, based on the ludicrous opening title track, but was really surprised to get an album of great blues/soul/funk with some really great tunes and a lot of riffs and sounds that wouldn't be out of place in the 60s or 90s. Drifts towards cheese at points but holds together excellently.
👍
Jul 06 2021
View Author
4
This was actually pretty great! I thought of him as like an 80s artist, maybe for the makeup look etc, but this came out in 72 and is pretty classic rock oriented. Couple great songs and has a West Side Story twinge
👍
Dec 12 2024
View Author
5
It's a good one!
👍
Nov 25 2024
View Author
5
First song is classic, the rest is a very dynamic listening experience. It rocks hard and is in your face but still not too glitzy.
👍
Nov 08 2024
View Author
5
awesome album. Never would have appreciate the range
👍
Oct 24 2024
View Author
5
I've always been a big fan of Alice and, of course, heard the title track of this album many, many times. Oddly enough I have never listened to this album in its entirety. Many of the tracks are superior to the title track. While I do not like it quite as much as, "Love It to Death", it is still solid. I can hear the Ezrin and Zappa influences here. 5 stars.
👍
Oct 19 2024
View Author
5
Rain is falling down my cheek
Searching for the sea
Tomorrow, like the rain
I'll be back home again
I watch, the bus
As it pulls out of view
Someday like that bus
I will be leaving too
But you know
It breaks my heart
To leave you
Camelback
My high school
And now, alone
Crying in my beer
Cause old friends said goodbye
I guess I'll be leaving too
Yeah, this is absolutely a great album and worth the listen and then some.
5/5
👍
Oct 10 2024
View Author
5
This was completely different from what I expected, and almost like Stray Cats for a second. Good thing I love Stray Cats.
👍
Jul 19 2024
View Author
5
West Side Story jumpscare - good throughout, 1st track legendary
👍
Jul 17 2024
View Author
5
I never listened to the whole album. Of course I knew the song School's Out. I thought it was timeless. An unsuccessful attempt to get my nephew excited about it, especially when he was in the right situation, proved me wrong. But now, I've listened to the album in its entirety. It wasn't what I expected, it was better. A really great album with interesting influences from different musical genres. It was a lot of fun. The album is worth listening to again.
5/5
👍
Jul 05 2024
View Author
5
I already love Alice Cooper!!!
👍
Jun 20 2024
View Author
5
Grandioso descubrimiento. Cuanto talento, sonidos novedosos, una garra super llamativa. Es potente sin caer en ser desagradable ni estruendoso. Muchísimo ritmo, con variación de instrumentos, por época tuvo que ser bastante innovador en su momento. Muchas de las piezas quedan para mi lista personal, puesto que me ha encantado. Muy recomendable
👍
Jun 16 2024
View Author
5
Makes me think about gh3
👍
Jun 03 2024
View Author
5
Very bluesy, awesome album with a different sound every song and high school themes. I love it.
👍
May 10 2024
View Author
5
It's bloomin ace. In the book, it's described as overproduced, but Alice Cooper is all about artifice, it's exactly the right amount of produced. It gives no time to concepts like genre, opening with the punky hard rock of Schools out, then ambling through FM rock, jazz, musicals and nostalgic balladry and doing it all well!
Underrated classic.
👍
Apr 01 2024
View Author
5
I like his music and songs very much! This album is brilliant! School's Out song is a masterpiece! It is one of my favorite by Alice Cooper! Alice Cooper forever!
👍
Mar 21 2024
View Author
5
Much like the great Vincent Furnier, I also often spontaneously break into show tunes mid-way through street fights.
If I may make a comparison that I assure you, dear reader, will hurt me more than yourself, I think a good point of comparison to Alice Cooper in their early years as a band is KISS. Both were known for their shocking makeup, theatrical live shows, and heavy Rock sound. And Alice Cooper pull it off so much more effectively. KISS, outside of their look, were always just another run-of-the-mill 70’s Hard Rock group. There was some Blues influence on some of the slower tracks, and some of the poppier ones could be considered Glam-adjacent but the only thing that could be considered actually interesting about their music and performances was all due to the makeup and the pyrotechnics.
Alice Cooper got to the theatricality first. And they did it while also making music that was strange and experimental without sacrificing any of it’s Proto-Punk edge. School’s Out, their fifth album, is the project where their theatrical nature first came to the forefront of their sound. Their third album Love It To Death had refined their early sound into a classic Hard Rock rasp, and following album Killer had introduced a more Glam and Experimental edge with a horn section and multi-part suites. School’s Out sticks with these innovations and dials them up to 11. There are more horns, more keyboards, more nods to Musical Theatre. It’s an ambitious project that, like the excellent Blue Turk, often feels like it’s about to fall apart into a ramshackle mess, but is always somehow kept together.
I think the key to the musics stickativeness is also the key to my preference to the band over KISS. Listen to the musical and vocal run in the second half of My Stars verse. It’s a fairly sophisticated musical phrase. When I showed it to my brother, he suggested it sounded a bit like a flamenco run. And yet it’s held together in a Hard Rock context by Alice Cooper himself, and the sheer attitude with which he sings the damn thing. Attitude. That’s all it is. But attitude is so important in Rock, and if your personality is gonna be that of a group of Detroit street kids who try and shock with snakes, fake executions and quotations from Rodgers and Hammerstein, you’d better be secure in your convictions.
I really love the self awareness that this album has. It’s all a bit silly, and over the top. But as a semi-concept album about high school losers and jokers, that makes perfect sense. We’re all a bit silly and over the top in school, trying to make an impression, trying to make the best of our time of relative freedom before bing ground up by the capitalist work system.
I’ve always assumed that Alma Mater was an answering machine message sent to the narrator’s high school buddied before he left for college or work in the big city, and his realisation that despite having thought of his time as that of a ‘lifer in the state penitentiary’ he’s actually gotten out. And he’s likely never gonna see these people ever again. But at least they’ll always have the memories… they’re never gonna forget each other… right… right?
👍
Feb 28 2024
View Author
5
This might be my most pleasant surprise so far. Absolutely fantastic.
👍
Feb 22 2024
View Author
5
Das ist wahrlich ein frisches, unbekümmertes, spielfreudiges und niveauvoll arrangiertes Album. Es macht richtig Spaß dieses Album zu hören. Kein Lückenfüller. Sehr auffällig ist das kleine Meisterwerk aus "West Side Story" in einer Hardrock-jazzigen Version: "Gutter Cat vs. the Jets" / "Street Fight". Hammer. Alice Cooper habe ich bisher unterschätzt und bin jetzt ganz begeistert.
👍
Feb 22 2024
View Author
5
I had no idea it was so cinematic and had such groovy attitude. I know his deal, and I know his hits, but this was like a complete rock opera almost and was just a total blast. So pleasantly surprised by all the blues and jazz influences, too. Completely silly but also amazing. Wild to think he was 24 but it was like his third or fourth album already.
👍
Feb 16 2024
View Author
5
I thought I'd enjoy that. Did not expect it to be a 5-star though
👍
Jan 20 2024
View Author
5
LP
👍
Dec 31 2023
View Author
5
Unexpected! Almost like listening to a musical
👍
Dec 18 2023
View Author
5
Listened all day!! There was some favourtism bias for a few songs due to nostalgia and childhood, but ones I didn't know before quickly became everyday favourites that I'll be listening to forma long time 💜
👍
Nov 26 2023
View Author
5
This is the first album on here that I haven't listened to before to earn a five. I enjoyed everything about it!
👍
Nov 24 2023
View Author
5
One of my favourite albums from my early teens. Good hard driving rock and roll!
👍
Nov 22 2023
View Author
5
I used to listen to the track School’s Out sooo much growing up but never listened to the album. Hopefully the rest is as good as the track.
If you played Gutter Cat Vs. The Jets to me blind I would’ve guessed it’s a Les Claypool song. Sick ass baseline and weird af. Love this song.
Blue Turk doesn’t have nearly enough Donald Faison but still a sick jazzy one. Great tune.
Kept thinking how My Stars would be sweet to listen to live. Gonna try to dig one up on YouTube after this run.
Grande Finale was just that. Crazy sounds! Reminded me of Pink Floyd a bit.
Love a good concept album. Was leaning towards a 4 but that last song and the fact it’s a concept album sealed the deal for me. 5 stars great output, Alice.
👍
Oct 30 2023
View Author
5
Fantastic
👍
Jul 09 2023
View Author
5
Wow, Alice Cooper is way more innovative than I thought!
👍
Jun 21 2023
View Author
5
Much more varied than I expected
👍
Jun 04 2023
View Author
5
never listened to alice cooper before except from his big hits like poison, no more mr nice guy and the title track schools out.
man this album was so much not what i expected, it was awesome. elements of jazz rock. loved it
👍
May 18 2023
View Author
5
This was an unexpected one for me. I always thought Alice Cooper was a cookie cutter hard rocker from the 70s and didn’t really dive too deep into his works, but this album showed a lot of range and soul. The last two tracks of the album sealed it for me.
👍
May 10 2023
View Author
5
5 stars
👍
May 10 2023
View Author
5
Alice Cooper returns to high school! This is an straight ahead rocker that hints at his theatrical style to come
Enjoyed reliving this one. Had this one in the original vinyl package
👍
Apr 22 2023
View Author
5
Love this. Hello Detroit.
👍
Apr 08 2023
View Author
5
Solid album. If I were a teen in the 70s, I would've gone nuts over his music. What an interesting collection of songs, and I especially like the inclusion of brass instruments - I was just thinking about horns in rock songs & how they often add that extra kick. Metal heads & goths owe a lot to Alice. He's the Godfather of the macabre.
👍
Mar 10 2023
View Author
5
I think I'd say that this is a perfect glam rock with an edge type of album
👍
Feb 09 2023
View Author
5
cool
👍
Jan 31 2023
View Author
5
I gave the last Alice Cooper album I was given a warm review because, fun. Obviously I'm familiar with the title track of this album but I'm going into it thinking "do we need more than one Alice Cooper album on this list"?
Indeed we do! I guess I'd consider this to be a concept album? It is surely a weird wonderful ride. Five stars. Five very fun stars.
👍
Jan 17 2023
View Author
5
sounded pretty fun on the first listen but I wanted to give it a second one just to be sure
and it was really so much better once I was adjusted to it
such a fun, weird, experimental album
I get why a lot of people don’t care for it, but I thought it sounded really neat
9/10
👍
Dec 29 2022
View Author
5
Quite the unexpected journey but I loved every second and genre change.
👍
Dec 29 2022
View Author
5
Se sintio muy theatrical y el jets song!!! 😭😭😭😭 peed my panties right there. y en grand finale
👍
Nov 04 2022
View Author
5
that opening guitar riff is seared into my brain. it's one of the most iconic openings in all of music history! it's bangin', it's recognizable, it's lively. the riff was created by glen buxton, and it must be one of the most well known song intros. fun fact: the opening riff music notes are engraved on buxton's grave in clarion, iowa. truth be told, because "school's out" is such a classic and mind-blowing song, it overshadow rest of album. but with alice cooper as my favorite artist, i've listened to this album hundreds of times and i have such a soft spot for the rest of the album.
the lyrics! alice cooper is one of my favorite songwriters, and too often i don't think he or the group gets their due. these lyrics are witty and enjoyable. some of it is dark in typical alice fashion. who doesn't enjoy the lyrics from "school's out"? this lyric from "blue turk" is actually one of my favorite lyrics ever: "tastes like roses on your breath/but graveyards on your soul."
considering that the alice cooper group met in high school and this album is the group's second to last before their dissolution, this album reads like a tribute to their respective high schools in a musical format. so many of these songs are about school or reference cheating math tests. a song's title is even straight up "alma mater." i'm not sure if anyone could deny this is indeed a concept album. it isn't as tight as cooper's later solo albums but could possibly be the alice cooper group's most concept-y album. bob ezrin, notable producer of pink floyd, was definitely a contributor. "gutter cats vs. the jets" uses west side story (which uses the school theme as well), and of course the melody returns at the end of "grand finale." the final song of the album is even an instrumental!
👍
Sep 15 2022
View Author
5
it's an album I'm very familiar with so this will be a bit wordy. This was the Last Alice Cooper album that I really liked all the way through. I was 16 when this album came out and the previous album, Killer, was even better. The early albums had some great guitars, bass and drums.
Schools Out - classic, big hit
Looney Tune - There's a guitar part in this song that sounds very much like "ooh that smell" by Lynyrd Skynyrd which was released years later.
Gutter Cat- love the bass intro and the overall musicality of the song and doing the west side story stuff was pretty clever.
My Stars is a cool song, piano part is cool.
Blue Turk is a really different but great song.
Alma Mater - I still play the first seven chords to the song when I'm trying to tune my guitar.
Overall I think it's a great album With a lot of catchy hooks.
👍
Sep 20 2022
View Author
5
I was led to believe (as a child of the 70s) that Alice Cooper was just too scary, and I'm a little upset to find that this album I've never listened to is magnificent and full of humor and musical variety. Even just the packaging with its model desk cover and panties album sleeve is celebration-worthy.
Mind you, the title track has been a favorite of mine for years, and I should have suspected that the band was more fun than I thought (the lyric "We can't even think of a word that rhymes" has always made me laugh).
Today I learned that "Alice Cooper" was the name of the band at this time as well as the persona of the lead singer.
When a song about an alley cat segued into the "Jet Song," then went into the jazzy, meow-filled "Street Fight" my mind was blown. This album is taking me to incredible places. I don't even know how to begin describing "Public Animal #9" but I love it sooo much. "Alma Mater" is a wonderful closing to the school story.
And then it's possible that "Grande Finale" is my favorite album closer of all time. Pow!!!
👍
Sep 20 2022
View Author
5
This album is so much more quirky than I imagined. I really liked it!!
👍
Sep 20 2022
View Author
5
I made an "ew" face when this came up and now that I've listened I think my face should apologize. I loved it! These kind of rock-n-roll theatrics are totally my thing. I kind of wish I hadn't been looking at the lyrics because there was a very nice musical theater surprise awaiting me in the song Gutter Cat vs. (no spoilers). In addition to that one, I loved the jazzy Blue Turk, the epic My Stars, and the White-Album-esque Alma Mater. This was great unexpected fun.
(But p.s. it's kind of cruel to assign School's Out homework to a college professor one week before the start of the school year.)
👍
Sep 20 2022
View Author
5
I went into this extremely familiar with the title track but never heard any of the rest of this album. “Schools Out” is such a classic that it makes me wonder why I’ve never heard of anything else on this album.
Stir together guitar rock of the 70s and a generous helping of Broadway. Add bits of jazz and blues. Fold in marching band music and a trombone solo. Add generous helpings West Side Story. Blend. Bake into a deliciously wild and eclectic album.
A genuine and wonderful surprise. I love it!
👍
Sep 08 2022
View Author
5
Based on the only two songs of theirs played on the radio, my impression was that Alice Cooper's music was just light-hearted and a bit silly. Now I see why they are considered one of the greats, and I will no longer be missing out!
👍
Sep 08 2022
View Author
5
damn. banger
👍
Aug 31 2022
View Author
5
Not at all what I expected from Alice cooper
👍
May 16 2022
View Author
5
Alice Cooper au début des années 70, c'est un des meilleurs Rock qu'on aura jamais. On ne peut pas en dire autant d'Alice Cooper dans les années 80.
Prefs: TOUT
Moins pref: RIEN
👍
Apr 14 2022
View Author
5
-An incredible album
-"School's Out" is in the uppermost echelon of songs that I just expect everyone to know/have heard. It's also a banger. Incredible opening riff, iconic and relatable lyrics, and the hilarious "We can't even think of a word that rhymes" lyric.
-The rest of the album is super cool as well, with great instrumentals to back intriguing mini-story lyrics.
👍
Mar 07 2022
View Author
5
Just a solid rock album even after School's Out
👍
Feb 17 2022
View Author
5
5/5. Hard rockin rager man 😎🤘
👍
Dec 21 2021
View Author
5
Loved it
👍
Nov 10 2021
View Author
5
Whether it was last day before: Xmas break, spring or fall break, or was last day of school... This album was rocked by everyone going to their cars. Not and was most students singing, there was teachers singing and it was the most nonchalant good bye but yet everyone felt equally included
👍
Oct 06 2021
View Author
5
Surprisingly enjoyable!
👍
Jul 28 2021
View Author
5
Amazing album! Way more prog than I thought it be. Go Cooper!
👍
Jul 15 2021
View Author
5
Nice one! Inspiring Jazz Rock
👍
Jun 09 2021
View Author
5
One rocking album. Hadn't heard before. Loved it.
👍
Jun 12 2021
View Author
5
I'll admit, I'm surprised this one got into the book over the previous 2 Alice Cooper band albums (Love It To Death and Killer).
This isn't to say it's a bad album, far from it, I just find it weaker overall when compared to those two albums.
School's Out the song is a classic though and should be heralded as a classic.
👍
Feb 23 2021
View Author
5
fuck yeah alice cooper
👍
Dec 18 2024
View Author
4
An enjoyable listen, plenty of theatrics, twists and variety but it also rocks
👍
Dec 18 2024
View Author
4
Schools out is a great song the rest is kinda meh.
👍
Dec 18 2024
View Author
4
Great fun. Alice Cooper is always interesting and listenable.
👍
Dec 15 2024
View Author
4
I love the original Alice Cooper group, and this album is excellent, but possibly my least favorite of the original run (other than Muscle of Love). It's the campiest and fortells Alice's love for show tunes and old Hollywood.
It also has Public Animal #9 on it, which is possibly the greatest song the group wrote. Inconsistent overall, but still essential.
👍
Dec 13 2024
View Author
4
Wtf. I had been putting this off because I am not a fan of the title track. The rest of the album totally caught me off guard. Blue Turk and Alma mater were my favorite tracks. I went in expecting very one note rock and was pleasantly surprised.
👍
Dec 12 2024
View Author
4
Loved this. Never saw Alice tho
👍
Dec 04 2024
View Author
4
Very interesting and varied album. Enjoyed it overall
Standout songs:
Gutter cat vs the jets
Blue Turk
My Stars
👍
Dec 04 2024
View Author
4
Surprised at how much is in this album. The title track is almost a bait and switch for the b-sides. Alma Mater could almost be a 2015 car seat headrest or twin peaks song
👍
Dec 04 2024
View Author
4
Never been more surprised by an album. I only knew the title track going in. Meticulous and progressive and not too serious. Overall, a lot of fun
👍
Dec 04 2024
View Author
4
Surprisingly eclectic, the West Side Story song was a joy
👍
Dec 04 2024
View Author
4
Enjoyed more than I expected. Good rock album with some jazz elements that I wasn’t really expecting. Got a little theatrical at times which I didn’t love, but overall I liked the album a lot.
👍
Nov 23 2024
View Author
4
It tickles me to no end that parents were afraid of exactly this.
👍
Nov 15 2024
View Author
4
Glam rock proto hair metal. Your first band did covers of Schools Out because it was simple to play and evokes freedom. Juvenile lyrics and simplistic melodies but the rhythm is good. A few songs show creative genius. Blue Turk for example mixes a toe tapping bass line with a saxophone for a cool feel. Then there’s the one with cats meowing in the background. I guess you can’t always be great. Overall not super impressive. But hey, it’s only nine tracks.
👍
Nov 15 2024
View Author
4
Wonis zerst ide erste 15 min nachem uufwache glost ha hani denkt "absolute trash", aber isch glaub ned de ziitpunktt gsi.
Bim zweite lose hanis nice gfunde, vor allem de gangfight zwüsche de Guttercat & de Jets. Gaht ab, het harmonisch cools züg dinne und d lyrics sind abgspaced-weird. Right up my proverbial shady alley (wieso tönt das zweidütig xd)
👍
Nov 10 2024
View Author
4
Sounds like a rock musical, which somehow is both really surprising and not surprising at all. However, it is pretty cool.
👍
Nov 04 2024
View Author
4
## In-Depth Review of *School's Out* by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper's *School's Out*, released on June 30, 1972, is a landmark album that encapsulates the spirit of youthful rebellion and the bittersweet nature of growing up. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also discussing its pros and cons.
### ****Lyrics
The lyrics of *School's Out* are characterized by their playful yet poignant exploration of themes related to adolescence, freedom, and existential angst. The title track serves as an anthem for students everywhere, celebrating the end of the school year with a mix of joy and rebellion. Lines like "School's out for summer! School's out forever!" evoke a universal sense of liberation that resonates with listeners across generations[1][2].
Other tracks on the album, such as "Public Animal #9" and "Luney Tune," continue this exploration of youthful defiance but with darker undertones. For instance, "Public Animal #9" features lyrics that reflect a sense of delinquency and societal rejection, while "Luney Tune" uses surreal imagery to depict a chaotic state of mind[2][4]. The song "Alma Mater" poignantly captures the bittersweet nature of graduation, where Cooper reflects on being overlooked and forgotten by his peers, delivering lines that blend humor with melancholy[4].
### ****Music
Musically, *School's Out* is a vibrant blend of hard rock, glam rock, and theatrical elements. The opening title track features a memorable guitar riff that sets the tone for the album. Glen Buxton’s guitar work is particularly noteworthy; his buzz-saw riffs and dynamic solos create an energetic backdrop that complements Cooper's theatrical vocal delivery[2][3].
The album showcases a variety of musical styles:
- **"Blue Turk"**: This jazzy number introduces a sultry vibe with its seductive rhythms and intricate arrangements.
- **"Gutter Cat vs. the Jets"**: This track pays homage to *West Side Story*, incorporating elements of musical theater into rock music.
- **"Street Fight"**: An instrumental interlude that heightens the tension between tracks.
The production by Bob Ezrin is another highlight; he expertly balances the raw energy of the band with sophisticated arrangements. Ezrin’s use of orchestration and innovative sound effects enhances the theatricality of the album while maintaining its rock roots[2][3].
### ****Production
Bob Ezrin’s production plays a crucial role in shaping the sound of *School's Out*. His approach combines traditional rock instrumentation with orchestral elements, creating a rich sonic landscape. The children's chorus in "School's Out," for example, adds an unexpected layer that enhances the song's rebellious spirit[1][2].
Ezrin’s meticulous attention to detail allows each instrument to shine while ensuring that Cooper’s vocals remain at the forefront. The production captures both the rawness and sophistication of the band’s sound, making it accessible yet complex. This duality is evident throughout the album as it oscillates between hard-hitting rock anthems and more nuanced tracks.
### ****Themes
The central theme of *School's Out* revolves around freedom and rebellion against societal norms. The title track encapsulates the exhilaration felt by students at the end of the school year—a moment when they break free from academic constraints. This theme resonates deeply with listeners who recall their own experiences with school and adolescence.
However, beneath this celebratory exterior lies a more profound exploration of identity and belonging. Songs like "Alma Mater" reflect on feelings of isolation and being forgotten after graduation. This duality—celebration mixed with introspection—adds depth to the album and invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys through youth[4][5].
### ****Influence
*School's Out* has had a lasting impact on rock music and popular culture. Its title track became an anthem for generations, often played during school-related events and celebrations. The song’s universal appeal lies in its ability to capture a moment that many can relate to—the joy of escaping school.
The album also helped solidify Alice Cooper’s reputation as a pioneer in theatrical rock. His blend of horror-inspired imagery with relatable themes set a precedent for future artists in various genres, influencing bands like Kiss and Marilyn Manson who adopted similar theatrical elements in their performances[2][3].
Moreover, *School's Out* marked a significant moment in Alice Cooper’s career as it propelled him into mainstream success. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and went platinum, paving the way for subsequent hits like *Billion Dollar Babies*.
### ****Pros and Cons
#### Pros
- **Iconic Title Track**: The song "School's Out" is one of rock music's most recognizable anthems.
- **Diverse Musical Styles**: The album showcases a range of musical influences, from hard rock to jazz-infused tracks.
- **Thoughtful Lyrics**: Cooper’s lyrics offer both humor and depth, addressing themes relevant to youth.
- **Strong Production**: Bob Ezrin’s production elevates the album’s sound quality and complexity.
#### Cons
- **Uneven Quality**: Some critics argue that while the title track is stellar, other songs do not match its brilliance[4][5].
- **Less Cohesive Than Previous Works**: Compared to earlier albums like *Love It to Death*, some feel *School's Out* lacks thematic unity.
- **Limited Appeal Beyond Rock Fans**: While influential within rock circles, its theatricality may not resonate with all music listeners.
### Conclusion
Alice Cooper’s *School's Out* remains a significant work in rock history due to its energetic sound, relatable themes, and cultural impact. While it may not be universally regarded as his best album—often overshadowed by earlier works—it captures a moment in time that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its blend of rebellion, humor, and introspection makes it an essential listen for anyone interested in understanding both Alice Cooper as an artist and the evolution of rock music during the early 1970s.
👍
Nov 03 2024
View Author
4
Love this from beginning to end
👍
Nov 02 2024
View Author
4
I was pleasantly surprised by this. I didn’t think it’d be awful, but there is so much more here than I anticipated. I love a good finale. The 3/4 time in “Blue Turk” was a nice reference. I was confused by, not only the inclusion of, but also the frequency and apparent weight the Jets melody had in the album. I enjoyed it though. 4/5
👍
Nov 01 2024
View Author
4
This album is pretty fun. I like the range of styles and the playfulness overall. It's also nice and short, good for us short attention spanned folks, and on theme for being an album with a disaffected youth concept. 3.5/5
👍
Nov 01 2024
View Author
4
Not as good as Billion Dollar Babies, but still really enjoyed it.
3.75/5
👍
Oct 31 2024
View Author
4
Maybe not his best but it's up there.
👍
Oct 17 2024
View Author
4
This is a fun album. "School's Out" is a classic you've heard a million times, but the rest of the album mixes in jazz, show tunes, and more. Good stuff.
👍