Alice Cooper – Paranormal (2017): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in July 2017, Paranormal is Alice Cooper’s twenty-seventh solo studio album and a return to his hard rock and heavy metal roots. Produced by Bob Ezrin, the album celebrates Cooper’s signature theatrical style while combining high-energy rock with modern production techniques. It was recorded with a mix of longtime band members and legendary guest musicians, making it a standout release in his 2010s catalog.
Album Overview
Paranormal is an energetic hard rock album that emphasizes classic Alice Cooper elements: theatrical storytelling, dark humor, and heavy riffs. Unlike some of Cooper’s experimental or industrial-era works, the album focuses on guitar-driven rock with catchy choruses and a raw, live-in-the-studio feel.
The album also features a number of notable guest musicians, including Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Larry Mullen Jr. (U2), and Chris Cheney (The Living End), adding extra flair and depth to the record. Thematically, the album touches on horror, paranoia, rebellion, and social commentary—all hallmarks of Cooper’s style.
Tracklist – Alice Cooper: Paranormal (2017)
-
Paranormal – 4:10
-
Dead Flies – 3:45
-
Fireball – 3:55
-
Private Public Breakdown – 4:05
-
Rats – 4:00
-
Our Love Will Change the World – 3:50
-
Gail – 4:15
-
Fallen in Love – 3:55
-
Holy Water – 4:05
-
Dynamite Road – 3:45
Note: Tracklists may vary slightly depending on international editions or special releases.
Album Review
Paranormal is a hard-hitting, classic Alice Cooper album that balances raw rock energy with theatrical storytelling. The title track, Paranormal, immediately sets a dark, high-energy tone with pounding riffs and Cooper’s signature vocal delivery.
Dead Flies and Rats showcase Cooper’s flair for combining horror-inspired themes with catchy hooks, while Our Love Will Change the World and Fallen in Love offer melodic and slightly more reflective moments. Gail stands out as a fun, storytelling track that highlights Cooper’s humor and stage persona.
Produced by Bob Ezrin, the album emphasizes a live, organic feel with crisp guitars, driving drums, and layered vocals. It’s considered one of Cooper’s strongest 2010s releases for blending modern production with his classic shock-rock essence.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
-
• Fun Fact: Paranormal features guest appearances from Billy Gibbons, Roger Glover, Larry Mullen Jr., and Chris Cheney, adding star power to the album.
-
• Trivia: The album was recorded in a live-in-the-studio style to capture raw energy reminiscent of Cooper’s early recordings.
-
• Did You Know? Cooper described Paranormal as a “back-to-basics” album, returning to guitar-driven rock and theatrical storytelling.
-
• Fun Fact: Tracks like Rats and Dead Flies showcase Cooper’s horror-inspired lyrical style, reminiscent of his 1970s concept albums.
-
• Did You Know? Paranormal reached #20 on the Billboard 200, marking Cooper’s highest charting studio album in over a decade.
Paranormal stands as a triumphant blend of classic Alice Cooper theatrics and modern hard rock, proving that even in his 70s, Cooper remains a force in the rock world. Its combination of high-energy riffs, dark humor, and star-studded contributions makes it a standout album of his 2010s era.
