Alice Cooper – Trash (1989): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in July 1989, Trash is Alice Cooper’s twelfth solo studio album and arguably his biggest commercial success of the 1980s. With the help of producer Desmond Child, Cooper crafted a polished, radio-friendly glam metal album that appealed to both long-time fans and a new generation of listeners. Trash marked a turning point in Cooper’s career, blending hard rock, glam metal hooks, and theatrical flair into a highly accessible sound.
Album Overview
Trash embraced the glam metal and hard rock trends of the late 1980s, featuring catchy choruses, heavy guitar riffs, and polished production. Unlike the experimental or theatrical albums of the early 1980s, this record was designed for radio play, making it Alice Cooper’s most commercially oriented album since the 1970s.
The album’s themes range from love and rebellion to dark humor and horror-inspired storytelling, maintaining Cooper’s signature shock-rock identity while making it more accessible for mainstream audiences.
Tracklist – Alice Cooper: Trash (1989)
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Bed of Nails – 4:05
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House of Fire – 3:49
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Poison – 4:30
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Spark in the Dark – 3:57
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Only My Heart Talkin’ – 4:10
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I Want You – 3:50
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Trash – 4:12
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Hey Stoopid – 4:03
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Love’s a Loaded Gun – 3:55
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Stranger in a Strange Land – 3:40
Note: Tracklists may vary slightly in international editions and reissues.
Album Review
Trash is a sleek, high-energy glam metal album that revitalized Alice Cooper’s career. The lead single, Poison, became a worldwide hit, blending infectious hooks, heavy guitars, and Cooper’s signature theatrical vocals. Bed of Nails and House of Fire follow suit, offering hard rock anthems designed for both radio and stadium performances.
The title track, Trash, showcases Cooper’s playful side with catchy choruses and witty lyrics, while Only My Heart Talkin’ provides a power ballad moment that balances the album’s heavier material. Trash perfectly marries Cooper’s shock-rock theatrics with the commercial sensibilities of late-1980s glam metal, resulting in his most successful solo record of the decade.
The collaboration with Desmond Child, known for writing hits for Bon Jovi and Kiss, contributed to the album’s polished, hook-driven sound, making it approachable without losing Cooper’s dark edge.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Poison reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Alice Cooper’s biggest hit since the 1970s.
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• Trivia: The album’s success helped Alice Cooper achieve a mainstream resurgence, leading to extensive MTV airplay and a worldwide tour.
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• Did You Know? Desmond Child co-wrote several tracks, including Poison, Bed of Nails, and House of Fire, adding a commercial edge to Cooper’s songwriting.
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• Fun Fact: The music video for Poison featured Cooper in his signature theatrical persona, blending horror imagery with glam aesthetics.
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• Did You Know? Trash sold over two million copies in the U.S., making it one of Cooper’s most commercially successful albums ever.
Trash is a milestone in Alice Cooper’s career, combining hard rock, glam metal hooks, and theatrical flair to achieve both commercial success and critical acclaim. It remains a defining record of late-1980s rock and a must-listen for fans of Alice Cooper and glam metal alike.