School's Out
Alice Cooper
1972
Album Summary
School's Out is the fifth studio album by American rock band Alice Cooper, released in 1972. Following on from the success of Killer, School's Out reached No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the Canadian RPM 100 Top Albums chart, holding the top position for four weeks. The single "School's Out" reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart and went to No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart.
WikipediaInitial 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.
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."
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
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
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.
'Schools out' might be the hit record but 'Blue Turk' is the piece de resistance on this enjoyable album.
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.
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
Very bluesy, awesome album with a different sound every song and high school themes. I love it.
-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.
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
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.
4/9 Dude just makes great fucking albums. Standout Tracks: Gutter Cat vs. The Jets, Blue Turk, My Stars
Aprendí que Alice Cooper al principio era el nombre de la banda y luego ya el vocal se cambió legalmente el nombre. También aprendí (y me impresionó mucho) que son de la segunda ciudad más aburrida del mundo. Con todo y eso, el disco es muy buen rock setentero y destacan Blue Turk, Public Animal #9, y especialmente Grand Finale que para 1972 tiene unos arreglos de orquesta que nuestra generación pensaba que Metallica se había inventado.
Lo escuché un par de veces y perdió mi atención. Lo volví a escuchar a conciencia y mi primera impresión fue que no combinaban las canciones, en especial Gutter Cat porque parece más de... de... musical? Entonces cambió mi perspectiva. El disco es como un musical, un disco concepto aunque creo que no desarrolla como tal una historia sino que captura diferentes momentos de chicos que acabaron la preparatoria y que, según vemos en la canciones, no tuvieron los mejores desenlaces. Aunque quizá sea obvio esto, el darme cuenta me permitió quitarme esta expectativa de lo que "debería estar escuchando" y verdaderamente disfruté este disco. Dejando la alineación clásica de una banda de rock, las canciones incluyen metales y sintetizadores para crear una obra maestra. La primera canción, que es la más conocida y que da nombre al disco, nos encamina en una dirección engañosa de música sencilla y riffs pegajosos pero el resto del disco no es así. Las diferentes escenas que retrata cada canción están muy bien construidas, letras que no son obvias aunque con atención no son difíciles de descifrar y arreglos musicales extraordinarios. Al revisar las letras sí me pude formar la imagen que creo que buscaban expresar. Tracks: My Stars, Luney Tune, Public Animal #9
This album gets "most surprising" of the list so far. The titular track is great and fun, but also I've heard it 10,000 times. Track 2 and 3 were... not great. I was like "Okay, this is middle school boy music", which is fine, but I ain't in middle school anymore. Then we get the rest of the album! There's jazz, there's show tunes, there is a big fan finale. So much depth for a hard rock album. Most improved.
Rock and blues plus a theme that ties everything together what more could you ask for?
Fun and theatrical and West Side Story??? Also was confused for a while because I confused Alice Cooper with Alice in Chains before I looked it up lol
Primer apropament a Alice Cooper i bones sensacions. Un disc de rock conceptual al voltant dels dies d'escola i institut. Comença amb potència, amb un "School's out" impecable i efectiu, que ha vingut per quedar-se. Bon grapat de temes honestos i directes, ben executats i d'escolta agradable. Molt bona recta final del disc amb una secció de cordes sorprenent que esdevé un inmillorable colofó a l'àlbum.
La verdad me pareció mejor de lo que pensé que iba a ser. No creo que es algo que volvería a escuchar, pero en definitiva me la pasé bien. Está lol pues y tiene momentos moviditos y jazz-ish.... Blue turk fue la que más me gustó. Mood: pero es que si prefiero volver a la escuela
There's more than meets the eye. I associated Cooper very much with metal and shockrock, maar this totally different. Pleasent surprise!
Veel beter dan ik had verwacht. Mooi en gevarieerd plaatje. Ga ik zeker vaker draaien.
So weird and so over the top. Alice Cooper was totally somewhere else with his music. I liked it a lot.
Alice & his band were still trying to find their sound at this point but really hit a sweet spot with the title track and a few others. Their music was always more interesting with visual accompaniment but at the same time, what an exciting journey
Overall good, I'm not really a stadium rock fan but it's a good album! I could have done without the loud hissing at the end of My Stars, and the sexual undertones of Gutter Cat vs. The Jets, both minor things though.
Was not in the right brain space yesterday to give this one it's dues. Listened to a couple tracks, and of course it's good! It's Alice fucking Cooper!
title track brings back memories of playing guitar hero in like 2007 or 2008. this song is so good. look at the gap in streaming numbers between this song and the other album tracks. on song number 2, yeah this is perfectly listenable for me. singer's voice is super nice and music is interesting enough to keep me interested*. song 3 has so many little things i love and cool switch ups and it kind of sounds like a song from a musical lol. oh next song does as well. oh it's just an interlude. lyrics aren't that idiotic or if they are, fittingly so, i'm satisfied. i'm having a great time actually. i was in a little bit of a weird mood but thankfully this album was a lot of fun so it wasn't affected by that. it's also nice and short. it's an easy 4 baybe. *rereading before posting, i'm leaving that sentence as it is to show how tired i am haha
Good album. Didn't expect that from Alice Cooper. (7/10) Favorite Tracks: School's Out, My Stars
De la seva primera época daurada, és el disc amb menys hits instantanis. Fora del tema titular, la resta són 'album songs', però això no les fa menors. Tot el contrari, és un dels discos d'Alice Cooper on més es pot tornar a descobrir nous matissos, des dels aires jazzístics de 'Blue Turk' al rock punyent de 'Gutter Cat vs the Jets', passant pel dramatisme d''Alma Mater'
Pretty good album. Alice Cooper is one where I'd like to listen to and get into his music a little more. 1RS
I'm partial to "Killer", but this is still a great album. I was never a fan of Uncle Alice's move to concept albums that bordered on Broadway shows, but this one only skirts that style. Already in my library.
None of the deep cuts are as good as the stone cold classic title track, but Alice Cooper has a goofy theatrical sense of humor that made this album a pleasure to listen to.
Somewhere between a 3 and 4… but I’m feeling generous. Not as heavy as I was expecting.. some pretty eclectic stuff on here. It’s good.
I know this album but first time listening from start to finish. Alice Cooper is great.
Not what I expected when I saw it was Alice Cooper. Very diverse and well done lyrically
Enjoyed this one. Lots of good tracks, not so much a fan of the Westside story rendition and a few other parts were annoying but for the most part a good album
Pretty interesting and not at all as hardcore as I expected from Alice Cooper. Some nice acoustic work even.
Dès les premières notes, on s'aperçoit que la prétendue Alice est en fait un homme. On se sent dès lors bien honteux d'avoir jugé l'artiste sans le connaître. Et celui-ci ne manque pas de nous prendre à notre propre jeu en démontant notre pensée binaire. Tout est passé en revue: les jouets roses ne sont pas que pour les filles et les bleus pour les garçons ; une fille peut très bien porter un jean et un garçon une jupe, etc... En bref, un album dérangeant mais nécessaire.
While Alice Cooper (person) may have been the first to introduce horror and gore imagery into rock&roll, it should not be forgotten that early 1970s Alice Cooper (band) was one of beauty and variety. Interestingly, moments on this album (Alma Mater) remind me of McCartney's early solo work.
Brought back great memories of a 16 yo guy..still fun although my tastes have changed and after listening again pretty decent album..love the fact that he is also a scratch golfer…rock on Alice
Liked two of them. My Stars and School's Out. My Stars is fire. I like guitar solos and chorus.
This album was so much better than I anticipated. There were rock songs, nods to musicals (not my fave but an interesting take), and even a brass send off.
“School’s Out” is the second Alice Cooper album I’ve had here in a couple of months (the other being “Billion Dollar Babies”, released the following year). By comparison, “School’s Out” is looser, more varied, more ambitious… and much better. It’s the title track that has become “School’s Out”s stratospheric, enduring legacy (check the Spotify plays of each song for proof). The euphoric, anarchic and somehow slightly menacing chorus call of “school’s out for summer” introduced the Alice Cooper band to the world as a heavier offshoot from glam rock, retaining theatrics and flirting with camp shock value: a pantomime Iggy Pop. It’s an all time classic track and the one most closely associated with Alice Cooper, but there’s much more lurking in the background. “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” branches from a bass masterclass from Dennis Dunaway into a full-blown West Side Story cover of “Jet Song”. The sleazy “Blue Turk” features a squalling brass section, threatening total collapse but still managing to cling on to a catchy chorus. Alma Mater has a much more interesting chord progression than I expected to hear in an Alice Cooper album, taking cues from Paul McCartney as much as anyone else. It’s easy to see how producer Bob Ezrin (referred to by Cooper as their George Martin) brought out the best in the band and enabled them to work with grander concepts and visions, injecting orchestral arrangements into tracks like “Luney Tune” and the gloriously overblown “Grande Finale”. Also, incidentally, the success of “School’s Out” is perhaps also the start of Ezrin’s strange tendency to use children’s voices in his work (he would go on to include a children’s choir in “Another Brick in the Wall: Part Two” and plaster screaming children all over Lou Reed’s “The Kids”). So it’s sprawling, far-reaching stuff… but at heart, of course, “School’s Out” is still a glam record. It cycles through styles like stunts in a circus routine with unabashed theatricality. Aside from the title track, “Public Animal #9” is the most thrilling rock track on the album and also the most straightforward: it is enough proof that there’s still meat on the band’s bones, substance to their style. This album isn’t perfect- “My Stars” in particular feels like a bit of a misfire, and none of the other tracks strike with the same immediacy as “School’s Out”- but it’s still damn good fun, successfully instilling a giddy teenage wonder at the concepts of rebellion and coming of age.
I am fascinated by Alice Cooper Alice Cooper the band, Alice Cooper the character, and Vincent Fournier the person behind the mask. They all (as the story, or stories, behind them) have a depth and substance, and quite some contradiction, that escape to most; dudes be like "Alice rocks!" and they completely miss the point, but I am not here to illustrate. Actually, nobody is, even the documentary that was released a few years ago failed at really getting a grip over the whole thing. I saw Alice Cooper live a few times in the later years, his shows are quite something, it's a bit like going to the opera and ending up at a horror burlesque theatre. Yes, I saw Alice Cooper stab a baby, slash a nurse, be put in a straighjacket, be hung, be decapitated, and always come back scarred but undefeated. I guess I will be forgiven by the reader if I see all this as a metaphor of the individual struggling with the modern society. And that's exactly what this record tries (and in a way succeeds at doing so) to capture between garage-psych and Broadway-esque musical, and almost everything in between: the theatrics, the horror behind the irony, the Greco-Roman tragedy. Even if I already had the record and had listened to it before, on this occasion it took me several spins to really get an idea of the complexity of these songs; a really challenging but rewarding experience.
None of the songs bested the title track, but it was still a pretty good album. Not as good as billion dollar babies but still good. Very eclectic production
Man I love classic rock. Full of energy and way ahead of it’s time considering it came out in 1972. Alice cooper is sick. Favourite track - school’s out
'School's Out' è una delle mie canzoni preferite, quindi questo album parte almeno da 4* Purtroppo perde un po' di mordente, ho trovato bella 'Gutter Cat vs. the Jets'
Buena conjunción de banda de rock, encabezada por el carismático Alice Cooper. Rock sin estridencias y con buenos ritmos.
Vet inte alls vad jag ska ge den här skivan men kommer dra till med en fyra bara för att jag blev så förvånad? Aldrig lyssnat på Alice Cooper bortom hitsen, vem visste att de var ett jazzband??
I only knew the title track and the reputation of Alice Cooper as a shock rocker but this was completely unexpected. A wide variety of music that was completely unexpected.
I expected this to be more 80s hair band rock. It was a bit deeper than that imo. A pleasant surprise!
Everyone's favourite cadaverous, golfing evangelical Republican makes his most famous album, the grand celebration of the teenage boy (strictly speaking, this is by the band Alice Cooper, led by Alice Cooper, who would later go solo under the name Alice Cooper). Although not a concept album, School's Out sticks its central theme out like a tongue. This theme is, of course, the unthinking delights of the male adolescent. This extends even to the artwork: the original sleeve came with four legs so the "desk" could stand up, the album opened like a proper desk, revealing depictions of a catapult, a pen knife, marbles and a comic book. Topping all this was a pair of paper knickers covering the vinyl itself, a girl's underwear being the greatest prize a boy's desk could hold. As such the music itself, though firmly hard rocking, actually comes across as oddly ingenuous. It's the music of a 13-year-old playing GTA, still feeling mildly guilty over his fifth wank of the day. The opener and title track, Alice's Cooper's most renowned song, has become the quintessential song about the end of the school year, which is a fantastic turn of events because it is a brilliant song. They pitch the song perfectly, sufficiently childish and mischievous without being obnoxious. However, the album beginning on such an apex may cause the rest of it to appear diminished to the listener. One leitmotif that occurs throughout the album is West Side Story, one of Alice Cooper's (the man, not the band) favourite films. Indeed, Gutter Cats Vs. The Jets lists Bernstein and Sondheim in the credits. The inclusion of these allusions is thematically fitting, what with those finger-snapping street toughs dancing into a rumble. But you may find that this pushes the album over the line from self-awareness to self-parody. Personally, I'm fond of dear Alice, so I'm happy for him to indulge his peccadilloes. The album rocks like a bastard, and has several aces (Public Animal #9 is a particular killer), but I can't quite muster five stars for it. Maybe the issue is structural: you start off with School's Out, you inevitably have to come down after that peak. Still, it's not as if you won't enjoy the descent. Michael Bay's favourite film is also West Side Story.
I was not expecting the “West Side Story meets 1970s hard rock” sound at all. I guess now looking at the album art above this text box, it’s not accidental. I enjoyed this album. Kinda fun listening to “School’s Out” on in June, too.
I had no idea this was a concept album. Reminds me a bit of the Meat Loaf album. Best track: School's Out
Not my favourite AC album, but probably my favourite from when it was an actual band and not just Alice with hired guns. Everyone knows the title song but it's kind of an outlier - the rest still rocks but has more of a psychedelia influence, kinda similar to early Sabbath. These first days of heavy metal (if you'd call it that at this point) hadn't completely shaken off the 60s influence, so there are a few Beatles-isms around. But they aren't jarring or anything. And at half an hour this is a great album length. 4/5.
After "School's Out" the album got a little boring to me. Felt like a bit of a time piece in an archaic way. I didn't really care much for Luney Tune or Gutter Cat. They just felt like what you'd expect Alice Cooper type punky rock. They're fine, but not for me. However once Blue Turk hit everything changed. The album picks up this progressive element and I started to recognize the story this album was going for. Fusing Jazz and Blues into this very complex rock structure. The words started to matter a lot more. Telling a story about a guy being this archetypical "bad guy" getting in trouble all the time, and being unapologetic for it until the end where he finally "graduates" and hopes all of his friends stay his friends. I love it. It all links back to the bonified classic "School's Out" in such an intelligent way. I did not expect such a concept from the album that features "School's Out"
Much more variety than I would have expected. Really enjoyed it, would probably never have picked it out to listen to without this.
What a weird album. There's some really good songs on it but also the most unhinged things lol. Big variety of genre blending too. Very interesting.
What a weird concept album. Totally at odds with the Alice Cooper concert I saw on Showtime in the 70s, but maybe I wasn't clued in then. An 4 for the effort.
i already knew the title track and at first was let down by the rest, but after listening more the album grew on me
I'm not too familiar with Alice Cooper. Starts off with a banger, School's Out. Then tries something that feels completely different. Maybe that's his style. IDK man. It's a good album, it's got history, it's got style and grace, it's got that signature AC voice.
Decent rock album but nothing more because the rest of the albums fails to live up to the quality of the first, title giving song
4/5. Energetic, experimental and rebellious, strummy electric guitair and a strong bass line make for a good classic rock listen on the less expirimental tracks. Some are too expirimental (Gutter cat vs the jets) but some are fun and bluesy (Blue Turk). Fun for active listening but not great jam out music.
Alice Cooper was considered "devil music" as a function of my upbringing. My, how times have changed! Realizing that this was as hard as you could rock at the time, I recognize its boldness. I enjoyed the album, and would listen to it again, but it's another in the "wouldn't seek it out" club. 3 stars.
honestly not what I expected from Alice Cooper, more artsy than expected but some songs lack energy
The song “schools out” absolutely rules and it’s an end the school year summer anthem for kids everywhere, probably will be forever. But the rest of the album falls short after a great opener
Enjoyable. Like Motorhead, one I'd never have listened to either but I was very pleasantly surprised.
Classic, hard rock. Not my favorite type of music, but I can appreciate why people like it. It’s not bad instrumentals, but I don’t love the vocals. It has some musical vibes and unexpected parts. Interesting/unique sounds.
Me predispuse a decir que no me iba a gustar el disco pero la verdad es que no es malo, tal vez escuché a Cooper cuando era muy niño y por eso no me gustaba (la verdad es que poison no me late) pero no sabía que tenía baladas muy buenas y que sobre todo este disco estuviera plagado de ellas
I expected your standard classic rock album but this was... weird af lol. Points for weirdness.
Tuve que darle una segunda escuchada a este disco porque en la primera de plano no me latió nada. Escuchándolo con más detalle, me da la impresión de ser una transición entre the Doors y Aerosmith. Agradable, pero nada extraordinario. Guardé la canción de "Alma Mater" porque se me hizo simpática la letra.
I liked the concept of it, felt a little pandering to the kids of the era. But overall good sound to it and quite liked some songs
school's out is one of my favorite songs. unfortunately for this album, it's the first and best song on it.
Schools out is the obvious winner of the album, the rest was just pretty generic rock/hard rock for me
Pretty fun album. Kinda rough around the edges, but kinda Alice’s stile, right? Probably won’t revisit it, but it was fun. Favorite Tracks: “School’s Out” and “Blue Turk”
Alice Cooper is a legend and I always respected him. Not the best album I’ve heard but I like the element if theatre and the same theme carried out throughout.
Otro disco que me suena a lo que siento que la gente le gusta cuando dice que es rockera. A veces me da risa la voz de Alice Cooper (y luego el maullido, jaja). Desenfadado, con sus buenos momentos, está bueno para pasar el rato, pero no me hago fan de él. Ese interlude, "Street Fight" está cagado. Y me gustaron "School's Out" y "Public Animal #9". El "Grand Finale" sí le hace honor a su nombre... 7/10
“School’s Out” by Alice Cooper (1972). I was a junior in high school when this came out, and the people I hung out with thought that the Alice Cooper name/makeup/violence shtick was kinda lame (Back then, “Alice Cooper” referred to the band, not frontman Vince Fournier). We didn’t take the music seriously, but the riff of the title track was appealing, and it was in everyone’s head. That summer, after school was out, I ran away from home, headed for L.A., but that’s another story. Now at the age of 66 I listen to this seriously for the first time. Lyrics basically declaim, “I’m bad, I’m violent, ergo, I’m cool.”—a basic Rolling Stones posture, but shallower and more explicit. Some of the subtle paronomasia is silly. This not good poetry, nor does it prompt much thought. But the hard driving rock, with plenty of great rhythm grooves and power, evokes the mood of lower middle class suburban youth searching really, really hard for something to complain about. Lead singer Furnier has an excellent raspy rock tone, and both lead and rhythm guitars are well done. Solid rhythm section and excellent guest musicians (e.g., “Blue Turk”). This album displays plenty of variety in composition, arrangements, and production. With very colorful musical forays into jazz (“Blue Turk”), time signature shifts (“My Stars”), and big band (the exquisitely orchestral “Grande Finale”) give (shocking?) evidence of influence of Leonard Bernstein. They even rip off “West Side Story” in several places (“Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” and elsewhere). These guys have a very eclectic musical sense, and the ability to put it on tape with class. This album is better than I thought it would be. 3/5
Best divers wat die Alice hier neerzet! Had ik niet verwacht. Veel meer dan alleen 70's shock-rock. Ik hoorde een nummer wat niet had misstaan op een plaat van The Doors.
More bluesy than expected and liked the brass...definitely not quite what I was expecting, but a bit corny haha probably won't listen to it again Blue Turk is the stand out
*thought it was going to be similar jams like school's out *all over the place *jazzy song that i loved - Blue Turk *weird cat additions
SCHOOOOOOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER so TRUE so EXACTLY! also this guitar is banging. i like the man's voice. i'd defo use this as a soundtrack to my life if i was a character in stand by me
That's more like it. Not played this for more than 40 years.The vinyl version had a fold-out cover that made a desk. Intro guitar on My Stars was played by Dick Wagner, who was also lead guitar on Rock and roll animal/Lou Reed Live - brilliant. Not Alice Cooper's best, but a decent warm-up for Billion Dollar Babies.
A bit too dark for me in some places. The albums starts off on a high note with 'School's Out', which is a jam, but begins to kind of fall flat as it goes along, with nothing really standing out.
Actually really liked it, 1st track is classic, but a few others are quite catchy as well. Bass playing is gold.
I knew the title track, but the rest of the album was new to me. I enjoy his theatrical style, but the rest of the album isn't all that memorable.
More instrumentals than I would have thought. Probably provocative for it's time but I've heard more provocative music in my life.
This album was not really my thing, but it breezed by pretty quickly. I can see why people would have thought that this was a big deal in 1972 3/5
of course everyone knows the first song and i absolutely love it, but i’d never heard the rest of this album and i honestly do not know how to feel. every song is different, and i was never expecting such a variety. i enjoyed all the different genres but at times some of the songs became a tad boring, but i did enjoy the surprises.
Some of this fun but some is so ridiculous like "Gutter cat vs the Jets" that I can't take it seriously as an album.
This rock n roll sound he has going really appeals to me - the dirty guitar driven hooky sound. The subject matter is adolescent and overtly strange, which is a bit eye rolly but also fun.
A couple good songs on this one, but it seemd like they just gave up and added songs on here like they didnt try!!!!
Been listening to this album since I was like 3 years old. While I think ive partly outgrown it (not a huge fan of the lyrics in general), theres still some really interesting moments here. Closer to a 3.5 (partly for Nostalgias sake). Looney Tunes has an amazing guitar riff (also, is blue turk a reference to Dave Brubeck?).
Not a big Alice Cooper fan, but this album was a surprise. Didn't enjoy every song but there was a few that I did like and might revisit in the future, like Luney Tune, Blue Turk and Alma Mater. 3/5 stars.
Fifth Alice Cooper's studio album. According to Wikipedia the original album cover (designed by Craig Braun) had the sleeve opening in the manner of a wooden school desk, similar to Thinks: School Stinks, by Hotlegs, released two years earlier. The vinyl record inside was wrapped in a pair of panties, though this was later discontinued as the paper panties were found to be flammable. The actual desk photographed for the album cover is on display in the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas.
If you’re in 1972 and want something different to get behind, have I got a thing for you! Not 1972? Appreciate this classic
Schoooooooollll'sss Ouuuutttt!!! Classic song that's been used as an anthem for school leavers since it's release. The rest of the album doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of the peak that School's Out was able to achieve. Interesting to note that on their greatest hits album, the only featured song from this album is School's Out. The remainder of the album is a little lacklustre with some potentially questionable lyrics - it's ambiguous if the lyrics relate to consensual acts or otherwise. A couple of other songs do have the themes of school/school leaving but the others do not. The instrumental's weren't too bad either. Best: School's Out; Public Animal #9 Worst: Blue Turk
A bunch of decent songs and a bunch of average ones. Kind of jazzy, very vaudeville and very glam. As many have stated, you could just about build a rock opera or musical around this record. It won't change the world, but it's a fun listen.
This is music for theater kids. Is this a concept album? Like Screamin' Jay Hawkins before him and Marilyn Manson after him, the image of the artist is so much bigger than the actual music.
An album made for 13 yr old boys. And I mean in the most emphatically positive way. Rock on, Mr Cooper.
Some great songs on here but also some ropey stuff. Especially when it tries to be a bit proggy.
Depuis quelques semaines, j'ai comme vous le savez pris l'habitude de lancer l'album du jour de bon matin, en faisant ma vaisselle. Ceci me permet ainsi de joindre l'utile à l'agréable, et d'ainsi démarrer ma journéee du bon pied. Aujourd'hui, c'est l'exact opposé qui s'est produit, cet album m'ayant mis de très mauvais poil. De plus, je me suis retrouvé à casser trois assiettes et un verre à pied, ce qui vient amincir un peu plus mon stock de vaisselle déjà diminué par l'écoute récente des Germs. Affaire à suivre.
Some killer tracks surrounded by penny ante theatrical numbers that are the crux of the Alice Cooper personality. Not completely for me but not a bad album.
School's Out was my favorite, however, the rest of the album I didn't find captivating enough to finish. I can see how in the 70s this may have been an influential album, to me it pales in comparison to the other greats of the 70s
Love the 1st song, reminds me of all the pure elation of running out of school and jumping into a summer of possibility. Sadly, the rest of the album didn't quite hit the same mark.
Much more varied in sound than I was expecting. Starts off as you think that it would with some classic rock, changes from show tunes, to jazz, to some softer rock, and ends on the epic "Grande Finale" all while keeping that edge Alice Cooper is known for. Favorite Song: Blue Turk
The excesses of both Cooper and high-schooler rock are represented here, elevated by a diverse set of compositions. The performances were very competent and several songs got smiles, if not grins.
I've heard "School's Out" a million times but the rest of this album is not what I expected at all. I expected glam rock or heavy metal but this a pretty eclectic mix of enjoyable songs. More than 3, but less than 4 stars.
Solid classic rock album. The title song is a rock classic and will be played forever. The rest of the album has a variety of styles. Some songs are a bit harder rock. Alma matter sounds like it could be a Beatles song. Blue Turk has a very New Orleans feel to it. It’s a good album that goes quick and keeps you interested. 7.0/10
1/26/2021 Today's Album: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper - This album was another surprise for me. I always saw Alice Cooper as a darker artist, and although you get some of that from this album, I'm really just blown away with the melodies created and some killer performances. No one song really blew me away, but as I listened to it on the walk to and from school, it was definitely enjoyable and climactic. I also really like the west side story reference in the 3rd track it's a nice touch. Overall, interesting album that I will most likely be coming back to Score: 6.5/10 pleasantly suprised Highlights: School's Out, Gutter Cat vs The Jets, Grand Finale
there were some hits, but I just can't put my finger on WHY i only felt like this was OK.
Other than the title track which gave me true flashback nostalgia to my guitar hero days, the rest of the album is kinda whack. Fun listen, but wouldn’t listen to again by choice. Favorite song: Schools Out
Surprised to find an album from my fellow Detroiter Vince Furnier on this list. Can't deny the appeal of the anthemic School's Out, but the rest of it sort of devolves into Meatloaf-like theater rock. There are some good moments on the album, and I do appreciate his vocals. Overall just okay. 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3.
A strange pick for an Alice Cooper album because this is not even close to his best. Relistening this, I also put on Killer, Billion Dollar Babies and Love It To Death, in my opinion all 3 better albums than this one. The opener, that everyone know, is brilliant. School's Out really is a classic. But the rest of the album is not up to standard of the opening song and plays on 2 minds between rock and musical, and it's just not doing it for me. After 3 listens I put on some of his other work and have been rocking out at my desk this workday
Better than I was expecting. The only song I was familiar with was the title track, which got radio play in the 70s. Blue Turk was a nice surprise.
Better, and with more variety than expected. I had onlt heard School's Out before and remember it from it being released when I was a young teen
Classic Alice Cooper sound and a few classic songs at their dirtiest sounding moments. Less than memorable songs for most of its run time though. 2.5/5
very theatrical. i knew he was theatrical going in, but this could have been confused for West Side Story.
Enjoyed this one more than I expected. Had heard Schools Out many times but hadn't been exposed to much else. Fun album that has some high moments. 3.5/4
Slušljivo, okej album sve u svemu. Nemam nekog lošeg mišljenja. Ili si to slušao prije pa ti još to dobro ili si tek prvi put čuo pa ti je ono, eh, mog i bez tog albuma preživit. Okej glazba, dobar lik, nije moj đir.
3.5/5 First song of the album School’s out is an brilliant start of an album. The other songs are good to, but not blown away by it. Favourite songs: - School’s out - Public animal #9
Like to listen Alice Cooper, not the artist Id like the more, but good music to remember.
Helt lustigt! Inte riktigt min stil men jag gillade hur Alice Cooper alltid hade glimten i ögat.
what a mad mish mash of an album. bit of everything. some of it was surprisingly not terrible, whereas the rest of it was a bunch of rubbish 70s drama music.
It's alright. The first track has been ruined a bit for me by the fact it's in shitty TV adverts. Also I wasn't expecting the west side story cover..
Opener is a classic springtime ritual. Rest is average. Grade inflation bumps this to a C+, but I just can’t get it to a B.
It was fine. School's Out is obviously well known but a pretty dull song IMO. Nothing really bad about it but nothing to write home about. 2.5 stars
this album wasnt for me. It was meh at best one good song and that was blue turk which requires a second listen thanks
No strong opinions here, kind of sounds like a lot of other acts from the late 60s and early 70s but with more edgy vocals. The title track definitely stands out, but it is a bit weird to start with the one ballad and have the rest of the album be much more tame.
More enjoyable than expected! I knew the hit and liked it, but I was suprised at how different the rest of album was. Cool and experimental. Solid offering.
Yet another, in my opinion, average rock album. After listening to it yesterday, I can't remember any song. 2,5/5, but being generous it will round up to 3
Heard the title track all throughout my tween and teen years because everyone cranked it on the last day of school, but I honestly don't recall hearing any of the other songs from this album before today's listen. I am pleasantly surprised to hear a little more sophistication in this music than I expected. I'll admit I had a preconceived notion that this album would be very similar to a lot of hard rock albums of the late 60s and 70s, but songs like 'Blue Turk' and the last third of 'My Stars', for example, have more layers and complexity than the typical 70s rock band. The use of horns works on these tracks. Even though some of the songs are a little more generic-sounding to me and therefore less interesting, overall there is some nice stuff there.
Personally not my favourite kinda music but was enjoyable regardless. Sexy licks, solos and song progressions throughout. Best: My stars Worst: mater alma
Not sure it's important from a music point of view, but it's interesting experimental music.
Varmasti omalla aikakaudellaan jossain määrin merkittävä teos, mut ei enää tänä päivänä säväytä. Ainakaan mua.
I mean, "School's Out" is a classic. But, outside the title track, the album doesn't 'wow.' It's a good sound, but not something that I would turn to again.
No hay canción más emblemática de Alice Cooper que School's Out, también es, en mi opinión, de sus canciones más flojas y sin chiste (aunque pegajosa). De él solo había escuchado como tal el disco Billion Dollar Babies (que se lleva a este de calle) y canciones aisladas. Se siente demasiado como disco para espantar niños de secundaria, de otras canciones de él le he visto letras más... "exquisitas" creo es la única palabra que se me ocurre en cuanto a ese punto de mórbido/humor. Este disco no tiene eso, en letras se siente plano y sin tanto chiste. Tiene un par de canciones agradables pero de hecho son las que más salen del estilo de la banda al que estamos acostumbrados como Blue Turk. Añadido que en mi opinión la verdadera atracción de Alice Cooper es poder ver todo un espectaculo tanto en música como en visual dentro de un concierto; la música sola no es que sea mala pero si palidece un poco. Musicalmente estándar sin mucho destacado para lo que había escuchado y en letras un poco más infantilizado y menos macabro de lo que le conozco.
A high 2, considered a 3, but honestly only the first song is much fun to listen to, and even it kinda overstays its welcome
Alice should think himself lucky to get a 2. Could easily drop to a 1 with the West Side Story covers
Interesting concept album that all hung together pretty nicely. That being said, School's Out is the standout track, and one I'm so tired of hearing that it doesn't do anything for me. The rest don't have the mojo to stand on their own, so really this is an all-or-nothing proposition. If I'm honest, I don't know that I'll ever listen to this end to end again.
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.
Apart from the single School's Out which immediately transported me back to my schooldays, this album was very boring
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
This album felt tedious. The messy rock songs on it for the most part were pretty boring, a couple of them stood out as a bit more interesting but not enough to make a 35 minute long album feel like an hour. The problem is the messy, sometimes discordant rock isn't actually doing anything interesting with that sound.
Pretty trashy. I think Cooper is going for some kind of classic 50's American High School mood - maybe this is the original High School Musical? - and there's something to be said for the nostalgia vibes - but it's just not an enjoyable listen. The lyrics and vocals are tired, the glam rock is all up in your face and it's only the first and final track that really holds your attention. And, dude, if you love West Side Story so much, go listen to the soundtrack and save us from your re-interpretation/cover version. A dud.
This is the fifth album from the Alice Cooper band; it's a hard rock album released in the early 70's. Can't go wrong with rock from its golden age, however it doesn't seem like you would miss a lot if you skipped this album. The most well known song is the title song, but in my opinion there is a remixed version that is much better. Fun fact: some people believe this is a concept album about youth feeling lost when leaving school.
School's out is a good tune but was not for me. Respect Alice Cooper and i like some for their songs, but I was pretty bored. It's a bad sign that I was distracted as his band's appearance in Wayne's World kept popping in my head.
I was never a big Alice Cooper fan, but this album is okay. It's odd that he's portrayed as this "shock-rock" icon when most of these songs are kinda goofy, jazz-based tunes. It reminded me of the Stray Cats more than anything else. School's Out is awesome though.
The title track is great. My mom used to sing it every last day of the school. It was a great thing to hear. Past that, I think this kinda sucks. I mean, it's fine. But ever since I took the plunge on The Stooges, there really isn't a way for me to think this record is "edgy." This is edgy in the same way that buying a Rancid T-shit at Hot Topic, is. So, even in 1972, you didn't have to look very hard to find darker, more interesting, rebellious music. Sorry Alice. Your cameo in Wayne's World is still one of my favorites.
ну чот вроде есть интересное, но не сказать чтоб переслушал бы снова. Запись плоская такая, надо ремастер сделать
I feel quite meh about this album. Was there anything memorable about it besides a song about getting out of school for summer vacation? Probably not. Also some weird lyrics scattered across this thing. 3/10
Overly theatrical for me. Only bit I really enjoyed was the end of Gutter Cat that sounded a bit like The Birthday Party for a few seconds.
First listen, a bit disappointing and meh, but gets better with repeated listens. It's a bit too theatrical in a pantomime way - which makes it hard to consider as more than a cartoon-y or novelty album. But title track is I guess a bit of a classic in it's own way. What stood out for me was 'Public Animal #9' and, strangely 'Gutter Cats vs. The Jets' - but all in all, didn't feel that great as an album
It was more diverse than I expected - I thought it would be the same kind of cheesy rock sound as the (admittedly very fun) title track and was pleasantly surprised by the variety on here - but nothing really stuck with me and I can't imagine going back to this record
Weird album! Not very heavy at all aside from the title track. Also not very interesting
Quite boring to be honest, although I didn't hate it. Even the hit single is cheesy and overplayed at this point, so there's really no need to ever hear it ever again.
It's a bit glam, it's a bit prog, it's a lot dull. It's a mess of an album, it goes in a million different directions, a bit of jazz here, a bit of cabaret there and none if it hits home with me. Based on the music alone this album would have been long forgotten. Vince Furnier creating Alice Cooper was a stroke of genius, he is still a household name in 2022 and it sure as hell isn't due to the strength of the music on this album.
Fetch me some Jack Daniels and some ass-less leather chaps, we're rock and rolling all night.
Apart from the title track this is generic stuff. Varied tracks but nothing world-shattering. It had been already done better and was soon superceded in 1972 by other genres. It's pleasant enough but that's all.
Andra Alice Cooper-albumet på kort tid för mig! Och precis som i Billion Dollar Babies fortsätter Alice Cooper krossa mina förutfattade meningar om bandet. Det är lekfullt, humoristiskt och genreöverskridande. Även om grunden ligger i rocken utforskas många olika sounds och stilar. Är det bra då? Nja. Albumet känns tyvärr inte lika genomarbetat som Billion Dollar Babies. Titelspåret har kanske NÅNTING, men för mig är den mest den enklaste och tråkigaste första låten på Guitar Hero III som man alltid tvingades igenom när man startade ny campaign. Också temamässigt är det svårt att engageras. Många låtarna har något sorts high-school-tema. Jag vill be den då 24-årige Vince Furnier att SLÄPPA den tiden och sjunga om vuxensaker i stället. Bäst är Blue Turk, med sin vemodiga refräng och 2-3-minutslånga gitarrbastrumpetdel i mitten. Lagom skruvat. Gillade också Luney Tune. Gutter Cats vs. The Jets är urdålig och fjantig!!! Bästa låt: Blue Turk
Ok… It starts off with the album’s title track it’s got an alright guitar riff and singing is eh, I mean the song should really appeal to me but it doesn’t. Luney tune is slightly better Imo it’s more slower and downtempo but not a slow song, it’s just not clicking though. Then we have gutter cat vs the jets it’s probably the best so far great intro, fitting singing and a cool subtle keyboards so yeah cool for this album. Street fight is just an instrumental interesting but nothing special. The first half ends with blue turk I mean it’s got a good bass line and the song is fine just a bit generic you know. My stars has an awesome intro but it’s not as good as the song progresses actually now I think that its his voice that puts me off this music. Public animal #9 is a better song a stomper of a track a little early 60’s sounding I do like it though especially compared to the majority of this thing. Gloomy rain tripes throughout the album’s penultimate track alma matter It’s decent slow but likeable. The album closes on grande finale it’s cool and grand but not a favourite of mine I don’t know it just doesn’t feel right really not the worst but still a 2.
I expected a lot of screaming and pounding drums, but there was much more musical variety than that, along with some cool sound effects. Still, none of the songs grabbed me, and some of the lyrics were juvenile: the school's been blown to pieces? Hmm...
can see why school's out is the only one anyone has heard off this album, very different to the rest of the album, enjoyed the last 2 songs but not great overall
So puzzling why anyone thought this was "edgy", more like musical theater than "rock'n'roll" and not in an entertaining Meat Loaf way. Self-satisfied and boring, but not bad enough for a 1*
Alice Cooper is a highly influential artist, shocking audiences with his punk attitude and controversial shows years before the movement was popularized. This album isn't his best nor does it accurately show his wild displays he does in live shows. The highlight of course is "School's Out" one of his most famous songs and a landmark in glam rock. The other songs are nothing to talk about, although they're decent examples of the genre and show his wild and wacky sides. The lofi sound works against them. There's a few quirks (especially in the keyboard effects), but Cooper could be more energetic, and the instrumental progression is predictable. At least the first side has some interesting ideas ("Blue Turk" has jazz and rockabilly influence), but the second side is just generic glam rock (and a Lennon copycat).
While I enjoyed listening, this album was SUPER all over the place with so many shifts in musical style and genre. While it lent to making it interesting since you never knew what kind of song was coming next, it didn't impress me cohesively.
Theatrical and a bit hokey to me. Even the title track felt off once I took off my rose-tinted glasses.
This was apparently shock rock in the 70's. School's Out is a good track on it's own, but the rest of the album sucks. The lyrics are all so cheesy and cornball. Not an album I'll want to listen to again, stick to Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits.
mmm i don't understand it :c
Schools out