Album: Lace and Whiskey

Introduction
Alice Cooper's "Lace and Whiskey" is the ninth studio album launched by the iconic American rock artist on April 29, 1977. The album showcases Cooper's unique mix of hard rock, glam rock, and shock rock, positioning a focus on theatrical components and storytelling through his lyrics. Marking a departure from his previous work, "Lace and Whiskey" exposed a softer and more introspective side of Cooper that had not been seen before, in addition to a rather paradoxical and self-aware element of his notorious phase persona.

Background
Coming off of the success of the ground-breaking concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" (1975), Alice Cooper continued to collaborate with producer Bob Ezrin and other gifted musicians, such as guitar player Dick Wagner, bassist Tony Levin, and drummer Allan Schwartzberg. The album was taped in between 1976 and 1977, at various areas consisting of Soundstage (Toronto), Record Plant East (New York City), and Cherokee Studios (Los Angeles).

Following the release of his ill-fated film "Good to See You Again", Alice Cooper experienced a considerable shift in creative direction that preferred music over other kinds of entertainment. As he kept in mind in a 1977 interview with Circus Magazine, with "Lace and Whiskey", he "started off with the concept of making a detective-type rock album - sort of a punk rock Sam Spade".

Album Content
"Lace and Whiskey" opens with the sultry and bluesy single "It's Hot Tonight", which sets the stage for the album's expedition of different musical styles. The following track, "Lace and Whiskey", continues to demonstrate the diversity of the album, with its mix of gritty rock and cabaret components.

One of the album's standout tracks, "You and Me", is a tender ballad that turned into one of Cooper's biggest hits, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The tune showcases Cooper's vulnerability and ability to communicate emotion through his raw, husky voice.

Another highlight, "King of the Silver Screen", dives deeper into the theatrical and self-aware nature of Cooper's stage personality with the lyrics, "I'm not the least bit initial, I'm made up of a thousand movie scenes". The song, which features an anthemic chorus and big band brass arrangements, checks out the idea of celeb culture and its impact on his career.

The album also includes the energetic, punk rock-inspired tracks "Road Rats" and "Ubangi Stomp", a cover of the 1956 rockabilly struck by Charles Underwood. The closing track, "My God", is an effective and haunting ballad analyzing faith, guilt, and the existential thoughts that come along with popularity and success.

Reception and Legacy
"Lace and Whiskey" received combined reviews from critics, a few of whom lauded Cooper for his varied musical technique and powerful storytelling, while others slammed the album's discrepancy from the heavier sound of his early work. The album peaked at number 42 on the Billboard album chart and ultimately went platinum.

For many years, "Lace and Whiskey" has stood the test of time as a special and stylistically varied entry in Alice Cooper's discography. As such, the album represents a turning point in Cooper's career, marking the end of his initial phase as a shock rock entertainer and the start of his focus on more standard and introspective rock music. Regardless of dividing opinions amongst fans and critics alike, "Lace and Whiskey" remains a vital piece in the puzzle that is Alice Cooper's withstanding legacy.