Alice Cooper – Flush the Fashion (1980): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in March 1980, Flush the Fashion is Alice Cooper’s seventh solo studio album and marks a significant stylistic shift in his career. Moving away from the theatrical shock rock of the 1970s, the album embraces a more new wave and pop-rock approach, reflecting the changing musical landscape of the early 1980s.
Album Overview
Produced by Richard Podolor, Flush the Fashion features shorter, more radio-friendly tracks, combining rock riffs with new wave-inspired rhythms and keyboards. While it retains Alice Cooper’s dark humor and signature sarcasm, the album moves toward a more modern, commercial sound.
Thematically, Flush the Fashion critiques superficiality, fame, and societal norms, delivered with Cooper’s characteristic tongue-in-cheek style. Although it was not as commercially successful as his 1970s work, the album demonstrates Cooper’s willingness to experiment and adapt to the evolving music scene.
Tracklist – Alice Cooper: Flush the Fashion (1980)
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Clones (We're All) – 3:44
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Talk Talk – 3:12
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I’m Alive (Flash) – 3:31
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Model Citizen – 3:20
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Need – 3:30
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Skin 'Em Up – 2:52
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Dyslexia – 3:18
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Stylish – 3:05
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No Tricks – 3:00
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Generation Landslide ’80 – 3:45
Album Review
Flush the Fashion showcases a more streamlined and experimental Alice Cooper. The opening track, Clones (We're All), delivers a punchy new wave-inspired riff paired with lyrics critiquing conformity. Talk Talk and I’m Alive (Flash) highlight the album’s energetic, radio-friendly rock approach, blending catchy hooks with modernized production.
While the album departs from the shock-rock theatrics of previous albums, tracks like Model Citizen and Skin ‘Em Up retain Cooper’s satirical storytelling. Richard Podolor’s production emphasizes crisp instrumentation and punchy mixes, giving the album a contemporary 1980s sound.
Although the album received mixed reviews at release and did not produce major hits, it remains an interesting experiment in Cooper’s career, showing his willingness to adapt to new trends while maintaining his identity.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Clones (We’re All) was released as a single and became a fan favorite for its satirical take on conformity in society.
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• Trivia: The album’s shift to new wave and pop-rock marked Alice Cooper’s attempt to stay relevant in the early 1980s music scene.
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• Did You Know? Flush the Fashion features session musicians from prominent rock and new wave acts of the era.
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• Fun Fact: The album cover, featuring Alice in stylized 1980s fashion, reflects the tongue-in-cheek critique of trends and superficiality.
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• Did You Know? Despite lower commercial success, songs from Flush the Fashion occasionally appeared in Alice Cooper’s live shows during the early 1980s.
Flush the Fashion represents an experimental period in Alice Cooper’s solo career, blending new wave influences with his signature dark humor and rock attitude. It stands as a unique entry in his discography, reflecting his adaptability and creative curiosity.
