Snakes and Dead Babies

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Snakes and Dead Babies is an interview disc from a London, U.K. company called Tabak Marketing Limited/Baktabak Records. It's 32 minutes plus of Alice Cooper talking to an unidentified host/interviewer around the time of the 1986 Constrictor album on MCA. The CD states plainly "Not an Epic Records release" (as it was published when Cooper signed to Epic), but it features a striking cover, with the artist in his ringmaster garb emerging from a red background. The presentation sure looks like a music disc! Had "Interview Disc" been stamped on the front (as it is on the back) the marketing would be less deceptive, though Cooper's hardcore fans certainly can figure out what this is all about. It is our Alice, the performer, talking about his alcoholism, his influence on the metal bands of the day, and his time away from making records and performing live. Cooper says he was doing "family-oriented" things when he got away from music, but when did he ever, really, take substantial time away from his entertaining us? He's been one of the most consistent performers since Love It to Death and "I'm 18" established him as a major rock personality. Cooper's discussion of horror films, Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, the Halloween series, etc., provides some insight. He says he's 38 years of age and that he would consider doing films when he's about 45. Snakes and Dead Babies is a multi-subject dissertation by this recording star, and for his fans it's a nice half hour of talk with their hero. Recorded in Britain, there's no doubt Alice didn't intend it to be an official release in his catalog, but all things being equal, it's great to have it in your Cooper collection. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide