Michael Bruce Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
Alice Cooper continues to perform classics from his original Alice Cooper band era, and while Mr. Furnier is still in fine voice, his various backing bands usually offer turbo-charged, heavy metal accompaniments. But most fans will attest that the original Cooper band was not a one-dimensional heavy metal band -- musically, they were equal parts classic rock, proto-punk, and garage rock, with a splash of vaudeville (albeit in a sick and twisted way). And original Alice Cooper guitarist/songwriter Michael Bruce has been surprisingly able to bottle it all up on his 2002 live release, Halo of Ice. Although he largely fell off the radar after the split of the original Cooper group in 1974, Bruce was responsible for penning or co-penning many of the group's early classics. And as evidenced by Ice, Bruce's voice is quite akin to Cooper's on the early recordings, and he's assembled quite a band, one that has no problem replicating the Love It to Death/Muscle of Love era. Comprised entirely of Cooper material, the expected classics are included -- "Under My Wheels," "Desperado," "I'm Eighteen" -- but the real attraction for long-timers are such underrated gems as "Second Coming," "Caught in a Dream," and "Hard Hearted Alice." With Bruce still in such fine form, you have to wonder -- if Alice isn't interested in bringing Bruce back into the fold, why not at least welcome a few new songwriting contributions from his old partner in crime? One of the better and more interesting Cooper-related live releases to come out in some time. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Michael Bruce's 1983 seven song album on the Nevada based Euro Tech Records and Tapes is an interesting outing that falls short of delivering what the artist is capable of. Oh sure, there's the classic Cooper guitar bite on the opening/title track, but the vocals on this disc by David Lindenmuth and the star, Michael Bruce, miss the mark. This is the guy who co-wrote "School's Out" and "No More Mr. Nice Guy," songs that epitomize all that Alice Cooper was and still is about. Having the rhythm section from Bulldog and the Rascals, the always perfect drums of Dino Danelli and bass work of Gene Cornish, along with keyboards by David Foster, make it clear that the music is going to be top notch. But the cover of the Easybeats' Vanda & Young tune "Friday on My Mind" doesn't add anything to our memories of the original. It's a nice run through, that's all. The two best tunes on this short album are A. Quinlan's "Lucky Break" with its strong chorus, and Bruce's middle-aged rock star lament, and "In My Own Way," co-written by Bruce and R. Morris. Tougher to take is "Gina," a Michael Bruce original which maybe Mickey Thomas in his post-Jefferson band, Starship, could've had lots of fun with. Very '80s, and that is the problem here. Neal Smith of the original Alice Cooper Group co-writes "Do You Wanna Know" and "Too Young," but, really, you wouldn't know it. "Too Young" has that anthem philosophy which Cooper trademarked in "I'm 18" and "Teenage Lament '74," however it sounds too forced. If Dee Snyder or Alice guest starred, it could possibly work. Bruce seems to forget the wonderful sound he was forging on Easy Action, the album which came before Love It to Death and the Cooper group's eventual success. That sound would have really made these songs come to life. Even borrowing Punky Meadows' amplifier from the band Angel can't bring this record the rock & roll spirit it needs, that passion that Bob Ezrin's production and Alice Cooper's nastiness once so nicely complemented Michael Bruce's guitar work. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide
