Zipper Catches Skin
Encyclopedia
Zipper Catches Skin is the 14th studio album
by Alice Cooper
, released in 1982
.
Produced by Cooper and his bassist at the time, Erik Scott, Zipper Catches Skin is musically known for its dry and energetic pop-rock style with punk rock
and post-punk
influences and less emphasis on hard riffs, carrying on a similar musical direction of the preceding Special Forces
with sonically slicker and clearer results. Lyrically, Cooper employed a much stronger focus on comical sarcasm
. However, although the album saw the return of guitarist Dick Wagner
to Cooper's band, it is generally not considered to be up to the same standard as his previous works.
Despite the worldwide release of the accompanying single "I Am the Future
" the album did not chart in most countries, including in the US where it became Cooper's first not to chart since Easy Action
. The album's front cover, featuring just the album's lyrics with a smear of blood rather than exploiting the vivid imagery suggestive of the album's name, would not have helped the situation.
Zipper Catches Skin and the following album, DaDa
, are two albums which Alice reportedly has no recollection of recording, due to excessive alcohol abuse. Dick Wagner described Zipper Catches Skin as "the off to the races speedy album" and a "drug induced nightmare". There was no tour to promote the album, and none of its songs have ever been played live.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, released in 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
.
Produced by Cooper and his bassist at the time, Erik Scott, Zipper Catches Skin is musically known for its dry and energetic pop-rock style with punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
influences and less emphasis on hard riffs, carrying on a similar musical direction of the preceding Special Forces
Special Forces (Alice Cooper album)
Special Forces is the 13th studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 1981, and was produced by Richard Podolor. Singles included "You Want It, You Got It", "Who Do You Think We Are" and "Seven and Seven Is". Flo and Eddie, former members of The Turtles, performers, and radio personalities,...
with sonically slicker and clearer results. Lyrically, Cooper employed a much stronger focus on comical sarcasm
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.” Though irony and understatement is usually the immediate context, most authorities distinguish sarcasm from irony; however, others argue that sarcasm may or often does involve irony or employs...
. However, although the album saw the return of guitarist Dick Wagner
Dick Wagner
Dick Wagner Dick Wagner Dick Wagner (born December 14, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa is an American rock music guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and KISS.-Performing career:...
to Cooper's band, it is generally not considered to be up to the same standard as his previous works.
Despite the worldwide release of the accompanying single "I Am the Future
I Am The Future
"I Am the Future" is a 1982 song by rock music musician Alice Cooper. The song was one of two singles released from his 1982 album Zipper Catches Skin. The single did not chart.The track was not written by Alice Cooper...
" the album did not chart in most countries, including in the US where it became Cooper's first not to chart since Easy Action
Easy Action
Easy Action is the second studio album by Alice Cooper, released by Straight Records in March 1970. The title comes from a line in the musical film West Side Story, which was one of the band's favorite films...
. The album's front cover, featuring just the album's lyrics with a smear of blood rather than exploiting the vivid imagery suggestive of the album's name, would not have helped the situation.
Zipper Catches Skin and the following album, DaDa
DaDa
DaDa is the 15th studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 1983. DaDa would be Cooper's last album until his sober re-emergence in 1986 with the album Constrictor...
, are two albums which Alice reportedly has no recollection of recording, due to excessive alcohol abuse. Dick Wagner described Zipper Catches Skin as "the off to the races speedy album" and a "drug induced nightmare". There was no tour to promote the album, and none of its songs have ever been played live.
Track listing
- "Zorro's Ascent" (Alice CooperAlice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, John NitzingerJohn NitzingerJohn Nitzinger is a Fort Worth, Texas guitarist and songwriter. In the very early 1970s, Nitzinger penned five songs for the Fort Worth band Bloodrock. When Bloodrock 2 went Gold, Nitzinger signed a contract with Capitol Records and his first album, the self titled Nitzinger, was released in...
, Billy SteeleBilly SteeleWilliam 'Billy' Steele is a Scottish former footballer who played as a striker. Sturrock began his career in the early 1970s as a youngster with Rangers, although he failed to make a first-team appearance. In 1975, Steele moved to Dundee United, making ten league appearances over a year and a half...
, Erik Scott) – 3:56 - "Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)" (Cooper, Dick WagnerDick WagnerDick Wagner Dick Wagner Dick Wagner (born December 14, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa is an American rock music guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and KISS.-Performing career:...
) – 3:30 - "I Am The FutureI Am The Future"I Am the Future" is a 1982 song by rock music musician Alice Cooper. The song was one of two singles released from his 1982 album Zipper Catches Skin. The single did not chart.The track was not written by Alice Cooper...
" (Gary OsborneGary OsborneGary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
, Lalo SchifrinLalo SchifrinLalo Schifrin is an Argentine composer, pianist and conductor. He is best known for his film and TV scores, such as the "Theme from Mission: Impossible". He has received four Grammy Awards and six Oscar nominations...
) – 3:29- From Class of 1984Class of 1984Class of 1984 is a 1982 action-thriller movie about a newly hired music teacher at a troubled inner city school, where students have to pass through a metal detector due to problems with gangs, drugs, and violence. It was directed by Mark L...
- From Class of 1984
- "No Baloney Homosapiens" (Cooper, Wagner) – 5:06
- "Adaptable (Anything for You)" (Cooper, Steele, Scott) – 2:56
- "I Like Girls" (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) – 2:25
- "Remarkably Insincere" (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) – 2:07
- "Tag, You're It" (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) – 2:54
- "I Better Be Good" (Cooper, Wagner, Scott) – 2:48
- "I'm Alive (That Was the Day My Dead Pet Returned to Save My Life)" (Cooper, Wagner, Scott) – 3:13
Personnel
- Alice Cooper – vocals, synthesizer
- Erik Scott – bass
- Duane Hitchings – synthesizer, guitar
- John NitzingerJohn NitzingerJohn Nitzinger is a Fort Worth, Texas guitarist and songwriter. In the very early 1970s, Nitzinger penned five songs for the Fort Worth band Bloodrock. When Bloodrock 2 went Gold, Nitzinger signed a contract with Capitol Records and his first album, the self titled Nitzinger, was released in...
– guitar - Mike PineraMike PineraMike Pinera is an American guitarist who started professionally in the late 1960s with the group Blues Image, which had a #4 hit in 1970 with their song "Ride Captain Ride". After the breakup of that group, he joined Iron Butterfly, and later formed the group Ramatam...
– guitar - Dick WagnerDick WagnerDick Wagner Dick Wagner Dick Wagner (born December 14, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa is an American rock music guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and KISS.-Performing career:...
– guitar - Billy Steele – guitar
- Jan UvenaJan UvenaJannaro "Jan" Uvena is an American musician, best known for playing drums with a number of notable rock bands, including Alice Cooper's backing band, Iron Butterfly, Alcatrazz and Signal...
– drums, percussion - Jeanne Harris – backing vocals
- Franne Golde – backing vocals
- Flo & EddieFlo & EddieFlo & Eddie are a comedic musical duo.The two were the original founding members of the Top 40 rock group the Turtles. After the Turtles dissolved, Volman and Kaylan first joined the Mothers of Invention as "Phlorescent Leech & Eddie"...
– backing vocals - Patty DonahuePatty DonahuePatricia J. "Patty" Donahue was the American lead singer of the 1980s new wave group The Waitresses.-Career:...
– "vocals & sarcasm"