“Killer” is certainly one of the most shamelessly exploitive albums I’d ever heard, and I love it for that reason.

It’s an album that gives off a vibe of manipulation from every participant – the songwriters, the players, the producer, the cover designer, and the net result is seamless. Producer Bob Ezrin does some of the best work of his illustrious career here, and Alice Cooper – back when the name referred to the band, not the singer - sound like a unified whole.

The band never sounded better than they do here (with much thanks due to Ezrin), and at the time it felt like Alice Cooper might become the most famous band in the world, and they almost did. Today, some of the ideas have worn down and lost their shocking veneer, but the music itself still sounds quite strong.

Featured tracks include:

Under My Wheels

Be My Lover

Halo of Flies

Desperado

You Make Me Nervous

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Dead Babies

Killer

November 1971 - Billboard Charted #21