Alice Cooper

A LEOPARD never changes its spots.

And in 40 years Alice Cooper hasn't changed his tune.

The man pulls no punches - his previous albums include 'Zipper Catches Skin' and 'Alice Cooper Goes To Hell'.

So, how then did he win over this cynical reviewer?

Along Came A Spider, Cooper's 25th studio album, is a concept album in a way, in that all the songs are written from the point of view of a serial killer nicknamed Spider.

Spider's victims are all bound in silk and each have a leg missing - it transpires Spider wants to collect enough legs to make his own macabre spider - I think it's eight he needs.

Fanciful as it may seem, this album is quite good. Cooper does as only he can do and makes the soundtrack to people's nightmares.

It's only to be expected from someone who is so passionate about golf.

"You look like you'd fit in the trunk of my car" is a classic Cooper line from 'The One That Got Away'.

Musically it's of a decent standard with Slash and Ozzy Osborne making guest appearances. Also, given that there's a story unfolding track by track, this album proved to be an unexpected success. 8/10

Kid Rock

PETER Pan may have been the boy who never grew up but at least he had an adult's name.

Kid Rock has been called Kid Rock for as long as I can remember.

When are we going to see Teenage Rock, Thirty Something Rock or even Adult Orientated Rock?

'Rock N Roll Jesus' is a more traditional country rock album from the big Kid, who's been known to dabble in rap and heavy metal.

His finest moment comes when he reworks 'Sweet Alabama' in the shape of 'All Summer Long'.

All in all, nothing to get excited about. 6/10

Reviews by Graeme Cousins

Albums from discs, Lurgan