Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories (2021): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released on February 26, 2021, Detroit Stories is Alice Cooper’s twenty‑first solo album and twenty‑eighth overall studio record. This album marked a major return to hard‑rock roots and hometown homage, spotlighting the gritty spirit of Detroit’s legendary rock scene and celebrating the place where both Cooper and his original band first found their footing.
Album Overview
Produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, Detroit Stories mixes raw rock, blues‑infused riffs, and playful songwriting while paying tribute to Detroit’s musical heritage. The album blends original songs with powerful covers and features performances by notable musicians associated with Detroit’s rock tradition as well as guests from other genres.
Rather than focusing on theatrical shock‑rock theatrics, Cooper taps into the garage rock energy and hard‑stomping attitude that influenced his early career. This makes Detroit Stories feel like a homecoming album—a tribute to the city that shaped his sound.
Tracklist – Alice Cooper: Detroit Stories (2021)
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Rock and Roll
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Go Man Go
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Our Love Will Change the World
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Social Debris
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$1000 High Heel Shoes
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Hail Mary
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Detroit City 2021
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Drunk and In Love
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Independence Dave
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I Hate You
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Wonderful World
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Sister Anne
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Hanging On By A Thread (Don’t Give Up)
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Shut Up And Rock
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East Side Story
Album Review
Detroit Stories is an energetic celebration of classic rock influences. It opens with Rock and Roll—a cover of The Velvet Underground’s classic given a Detroit‑style makeover—and barrels forward with high‑octane originals like Go Man Go and the galloping Hail Mary.
The album draws stylistically from garage rock, blues, and soul, with tracks like $1000 High Heel Shoes incorporating horn sections and backing vocals for a funky, almost Motown‑tinged groove. †Drunk and In Love leans hard into blues‑rock, complete with harmonica and a lyrical narrative straight out of a smoky bar. Other songs like Social Debris and Independence Dave channel gritty, classic rock vibes reminiscent of Detroit’s garage era.
While a few tracks are covers (Sister Anne, East Side Story), the mix of originals and reinterpretations creates a musical portrait of Detroit’s diverse rock heritage. The performances are lively and raw, avoiding overly polished production in favor of a “live‑in‑the‑room” feel.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Detroit Stories debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, marking Cooper’s first chart‑topper on that list in 29 years.
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• Trivia: The album features original Alice Cooper band members Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, and Dennis Dunaway on some tracks, their first recording together in decades.
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• Did You Know? Guest musicians include Joe Bonamassa, Larry Mullen Jr., and Mark Farner, among others, blending rock, blues, and soul influences throughout the album.
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• Fun Fact: The version of Rock and Roll on this album was inspired by Mitch Ryder’s Detroit cover of the same song, which famously altered the lyrics to reference “Detroit station.”
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• Did You Know? Alice Cooper recorded Detroit Stories in part at Rust Belt Studios in Royal Oak, Michigan, reinforcing the album’s authentic Detroit vibe.
Detroit Stories stands out as a heartfelt tribute to the city that helped shape Alice Cooper’s early rock career. Its blend of original hard rock songs, spirited covers, and contributions from legendary musicians makes it a unique celebration of Detroit’s influence on rock music—and a meaningful chapter in Cooper’s long legacy.
