Tracklist, Album Covers, Info, Fun Facts and Trivia
Overview
"Pretties for You" is the debut studio album by American rock band Alice Cooper, released on June 25, 1969, by Straight Records—a label founded by Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen. Unlike the shock rock sound the band would later become famous for, this album showcases a more psychedelic and experimental rock style, blending surreal lyrics with progressive song structures.
Although not commercially successful upon release, Pretties for You holds a unique place in rock history as the first step in Alice Cooper's evolution into a legendary name in rock and metal.
Tracklist
Titanic Overture
10 Minutes Before the Worm
Sing Low, Sweet Cheerio
Today Mueller
Living
Fields of Regret
No Longer Umpire
Levity Ball (Live at the Cheetah)
B.B. on Mars
Reflected
Apple Bush
Earwigs to Eternity
Changing Arranging
Album Information
Artist: Alice Cooper (band)
Album: Pretties for You
Release Date: June 25, 1969
Label: Straight Records
Genre: Psychedelic rock, art rock, experimental
Length: 38:09
Producer: Alice Cooper & Ian Underwood (uncredited influence of Frank Zappa)
Notable Songs & Highlights
“Reflected” is the most notable track on the album—it later evolved into “Elected,” one of Alice Cooper's biggest hits from Billion Dollar Babies (1973).
“Levity Ball” was recorded live at the Cheetah Club in Los Angeles, showcasing the band’s early raw energy.
Fun Facts & Trivia
Band Name Confusion: At the time, “Alice Cooper” referred to the entire band, not just the lead singer Vincent Furnier. The name was only later adopted by Furnier as his stage persona.
Album Art: The surrealist album cover was painted by Edward Beardsley, reportedly from a painting hanging in Frank Zappa’s home.
Zappa’s Influence: Frank Zappa signed Alice Cooper to his Straight Records label without ever seeing a full live performance. He was intrigued by their theatrical and avant-garde style.
Commercial Failure: The album sold poorly and received mostly negative reviews, but it has since gained a cult following among collectors and psych rock fans.
Experimental Style: The record was heavily influenced by Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and features complex time signatures, eerie harmonies, and abstract lyrics.
Title Origin: The phrase “Pretties for You” is never explained, adding to the album’s mystique.
Legacy
While Pretties for You didn’t chart or gain much mainstream recognition, it laid the groundwork for Alice Cooper’s theatrical evolution. The band would refine their style in subsequent albums, ultimately achieving massive success with Love It to Death (1971) and School’s Out (1972). Today, Pretties for You stands as a fascinating, bizarre, and bold debut—essential listening for dedicated fans and collectors of 60s psychedelic rock.
Keywords (Tags)
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