HE'S BACK - THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK

Ok, maybe it's wrong to start a post about Alice Cooper's next album, Along Came A Spider, with a headliner quoting one of his worst songs ever. Whenever Alice is about to release a new album, I hope that it will be good - but if often isn't. Like KISS, Alice may have diminished the power of his brand through doing corny stuff and making weak albums.

Which is a shame: like KISS, he's made some incredible albums that have changed the course of rock and roll. Not just metal, but punk, garage rock, "alternative," etc. He absolutely should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's just that he was one of the first sell-outs in the eyes of fans. He was doing Hollywood Squares back in the '70s. Right or wrong, it's hard to take someone as seriously as you used to after that.

But he's a really cool guy, and is extremely intelligent, and he's a huge music fan. So I hope this album is good.