Alice Cooper – DaDa (1983): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in August 1983, DaDa is Alice Cooper’s tenth solo studio album and one of his most experimental and surreal works. Produced by Bob Ezrin, who had worked with Cooper on several previous albums, DaDa blends art rock, new wave, and avant-garde influences, creating a dark, atmospheric, and unconventional record.
Album Overview
DaDa was heavily influenced by surrealism and psychological themes, reportedly inspired by Cooper’s own struggles with addiction and mental health during the early 1980s. Unlike his earlier theatrical rock or shock-rock albums, DaDa takes a more abstract and experimental approach, combining eerie soundscapes, unconventional arrangements, and introspective lyrics.
The album reflects Cooper’s artistic ambitions, prioritizing mood and narrative over mainstream appeal. While it did not achieve commercial success, DaDa is often considered a cult favorite for fans interested in the darker, avant-garde side of Cooper’s solo career.
Tracklist – Alice Cooper: DaDa (1983)
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DaDa – 3:05
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Pass the Gun Around – 3:50
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I Love America – 3:42
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Scarlet and Sheba – 3:15
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Six Strings – 4:10
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Style – 3:55
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Enough’s Enough – 3:28
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Dyslexia – 3:20
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I Am the Future – 4:05
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DaDa (Reprise) – 2:50
Note: Tracklists may vary slightly in international editions.
Album Review
DaDa is arguably Alice Cooper’s most avant-garde solo album. The title track, DaDa, sets a surreal and moody tone, combining sparse instrumentation with experimental effects. Songs like Pass the Gun Around and I Love America mix dark humor with a minimalist new wave sensibility.
Scarlet and Sheba and Six Strings showcase intricate arrangements and unusual chord progressions, while Style emphasizes Cooper’s willingness to experiment with unconventional song structures. The album is darker, more introspective, and less theatrical than his 1970s classics, highlighting a period of artistic risk-taking.
Bob Ezrin’s production adds a cinematic and atmospheric layer, using keyboards, sound effects, and vocal manipulations to enhance the unsettling, surreal mood. DaDa may not be as immediately accessible as Cooper’s earlier hits, but it stands as a fascinating exploration of art-rock and avant-garde storytelling in his discography.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: DaDa was inspired by the Dada art movement, emphasizing absurdity, surrealism, and experimentation.
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• Trivia: This album marked Cooper’s final collaboration with producer Bob Ezrin until their reunion for The Last Temptation in 1994.
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• Did You Know? I Love America was released as a single, though it failed to chart, reflecting the album’s experimental direction.
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• Fun Fact: Cooper was recovering from personal struggles during this period, which heavily influenced the dark and introspective tone of DaDa.
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• Did You Know? Despite its lack of commercial success, DaDa has gained a cult following among fans for its avant-garde approach and experimental soundscapes.
DaDa remains one of Alice Cooper’s most daring and unconventional albums, blending art rock, surrealism, and dark introspection. It stands out in his solo career as a unique experiment, offering a glimpse into his more artistic and avant-garde side.
