Straight Records - 1970
8/10
Ever listen to something that feels like it’s the end of an era before said era even starts? That’s basically how I would describe Alice Cooper’s second record, Easy Action. While not a complete departure from the rehearsal-demo mess of the first album, it’s far more in line with what would come with the rest of Alice’s “band era” career. Truly it feels like a more honest debut, casting Pretties For You into the shadows of a would-be demo.
Rocky production and ameteur delivery is still present, but in a refined way that actually feels more style-defining. Plenty of weird antics and noisy schlock still makes its way into the sophomore record, but none of it feels like it goes nowhere. “Still No Air” channels the unsettling energy presented prior, and “Lay Down And Die, Goodbye” drags this out to less-than-ideal degrees. Despite this, I can still appreciate how these types invoke the feelings of uncertainty. Even the piano ballad “Beautiful Flyaway” acts as something that feels like a wolf in sheepskin, presenting itself as more innocent than it truly is.
Personally though, I prefer the smoother ends of Easy Action. There’s a combo of dialed back rock ‘n roll meets heavier attitude flooding a large portion of this disc. “Shoe Salesman” is a criminally overlooked song that dials in some of the warmest coats from the band era, complete with a bright solo that gets me every time. Others like “Refrigerator Heaven” or opener “Mr. And Misdemeanor” have a darker tone that helps bridge the contrasting ideas presented. Bassy rhythms and psychedelic key tangents fit any approach.
Really, it’s a game of finding the warm moments in a cold environment, and because of how well individual tracks present themselves, this isn’t the record’s sole strength. Is this a bit uneven? Absolutely. But the youthful energy channeled into something that at least holds my attention in a (mostly) good way can’t be overlooked. If it’s been a long time, consider revisiting this one.
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