Artist: Alice Cooper Album: Easy Action

Year: 1969
Duration: 0:0-1

A of Alice Cooper's 'Easy Action' Album – A Decade of Innovation and Controversy

Alice Cooper is best known for his macabre stage shows and iconic theatrical performances, but initially, he was a struggling artist in the 1960s, trying to carve a niche in the music industry. With their second album, 'Easy Action,' Cooper and his bandmates were obliged to refine their sound and develop a unique style that could set them apart from the rest. Released in 1970, 'Easy Action' went on to receive mixed reviews from the critics, and some fans were not pleased with the new direction the band took. However, as Alice Cooper's career progressed, 'Easy Action' proved to be a critical and commercial success, cementing Cooper's place in rock history. In this post, we'll explore the album, its highlights, and its place in the broader context of Alice Cooper's career.
Alice Cooper's sophomore album, 'Easy Action,' is a significant departure from their debut album, 'Pretties for You,' which was more experimental, surreal, and psychedelic. At first glance, 'Easy Action' seems like a rushed follow-up, with its minimalist cover art and a tracklist that is less ambitious in scope. However, the album represents a new creative direction for the band, one that draws on the emerging hard rock and proto-metal sound of the late 1960s. In many ways, 'Easy Action' can be seen as a bridge between the experimental sound of the first album and the more polished, hard-rocking sound that Alice Cooper became known for later.
The songs on 'Easy Action' explore the darker side of life and the strange and macabre, which would become a common theme in Alice Cooper's music and persona. The standout tracks include Mr. and Misdemeanor, Below Your Means, Refrigerator Heaven, and Return of the Spiders. Each song showcases Alice Cooper's unique blend of hard rock, glam, and psychedelic sounds, while still retaining the experimental edge that defined their first album. The music is hard-hitting, with driving guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and subtle psychedelic undertones that showcase the band's versatility.
The album's most innovative parts relate to Cooper's theatrical and performance style, which he developed over the years and refined in his later solo career. As he took his stage shows to increasingly shocking heights, Cooper became known as rock's most notorious and unpredictable frontman, with a penchant for theatrics, fake blood, and horror-inspired imagery. Cooper's onstage persona was an integral part of his music, and he used it to tell stories, entertain fans, and provoke controversy. Some of the songs on 'Easy Action' hint at this approach, particularly Beautiful Flyaway and the closer Lay Down and Die, Goodbye, but the two styles were not yet fully integrated.
Despite its innovative sound and memorable lyrics, 'Easy Action' received mixed reviews upon its release. Many critics accused the band of being derivative and lacking artistic direction, while others lauded Alice Cooper's ability to shock and entertain. Over time, the album's reputation has improved, with fans and critics alike recognizing its influence on hard rock and heavy metal genres. Cooper's later career, which saw him explore his theatrical side more fully, has also highlighted the importance of this early recording in his development as an artist.
Alice Cooper's 'Easy Action' remains an important album in the band's catalog and a cornerstone of the hard rock genre that emerged in the late 1960s. Although it was initially misunderstood and undervalued, the album showcased the band's versatility and willingness to experiment with both sound and performance. As Alice Cooper's career continued to evolve, his influence on the music industry grew, and his theatrical performances became iconic. 'Easy Action' represents a snapshot of a decade of innovation, controversy, and artistic risk-taking, and it remains a must-listen for fans of hard rock and metal. In this post, we have explored Alice Cooper's second album, its context, best songs, and most innovative parts. We hope this review has encouraged you to revisit or discover this classic album.