VINTAGE 12" VINYL - KILLER by ALICE COOPER - 4th ALBUM 1971 K 56005

	£		15
	$		19

 VINTAGE 12" VINYL - KILLER by ALICE COOPER - 4th ALBUM 1971 K 56005

ARTIST                                ALICE COOPER

TITLE                                   KILLER

LABEL                                   WARNER

CATALOGUE #                       K 56005

FORMAT                                12” VINYL

COUNTRY                              UK

RELEASED                             1971

VINYL CONDITION                  EX+

SLEEVE CONDITION               EX+ Includes intact 1974 calender of AC hanging

MATRIX / RUNOFF                 

Killer is the fourth studio album by the Alice Cooper band, released in November 1971. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and the two singles "Under My Wheels" and "Be My Lover" made the Hot 100 chart.

Cooper said in the liner notes of Fistful of Alice and In the Studio with Redbeard, which spotlighted the Killer and Love it to Death albums, that the song "Desperado" was written about his friend Jim Morrison, who died the year this album was released. According to an NPR radio interview with Alice Cooper, "Desperado" was written about Robert Vaughn's character from the movie The Magnificent Seven. "Halo of Flies" was, according to Cooper's liner notes in the compilation The Definitive Alice Cooper, an attempt by the band to prove that they could perform King Crimson-like progressive rock suites, and was supposedly about a SMERSH-like organisation. "Desperado", along with "Under My Wheels" and "Be My Lover" have appeared on different compilation albums by Cooper. The song "Dead Babies" stirred up some controversy following the album's release, despite the fact that its lyrics conveyed an "anti-child abuse" message. Musicians such as Jello Biafra and John Lydon have referred to the album as an influence.

Track listing

Reception

Critical reception

Rolling Stone's Lester Bangs gave it a favorable review. He explained that "it brings all the elements of the band's approach to sound and texture to a totally integrated pinnacle that fulfills all the promise of their erratic first two albums" and that "each song on [the] album finds him in a different role in the endless movie he is projecting on them." He concluded by calling Alice Cooper "a strong band, a vital band, and they are going to be around for a long, long time."[2] Robert Christgau rated the album a B-, stating that "a taste for the base usages of hard rock rarely comes with a hit attached these days, much less "surreal," "theatrical," and let us not forget "transvestite" trappings". However, he said that "[the album] falters after "Under My Wheels" and "Be My Lover," neither of them an "I'm Eighteen" in the human outreach department."[3] AllMusic's Greg Prato rated "Killer" four-and-a-half out of five stars. He stated that "disturbing tracks [...] fit in perfectly" and that "other songs were even more exceptional". He concluded by pointing out that "it rewarded them as being among the most notorious and misunderstood entertainers, thoroughly despised by grownups."[1]

Charts

The album reached #21 on the Billboard album chart and two singles made the Hot 100 chart. "Under My Wheels" reached #59, and "Be My Lover" reached #49 on the Billboard chart.

Influence

Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. called Killer the greatest rock album of all time.[4] Punk icons Jello Biafra & The Melvins covered the song "Halo of Flies" on their 2005 release Sieg Howdy!. Minneapolis rock band Halo of Flies took their name from this song as well. [5] Psychobilly musicians Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper covered the song "Be My Lover" on their 1986 release Frenzy. Power metal band Iced Earth covered the song "Dead Babies" for their 2002 release Tribute to the Gods. Guns N' Roses (featuring Alice Cooper) covered the song "Under My Wheels" on the soundtrack of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.

Please note : This is part of a private sale, I am not a dealer.  I have collected vinyl for over 45 years and have amassed appx 750 single and 350 albums, between the 60’s and 90’s until cassettes came out.   

I have recently purchased a new stereo that copies vinyl direct to my PC so gradually I will be copying that vinyl that I wish to keep and this whole collection will be put on sale.     I will therefore have played some to check their quality, but in the meantime some will be listed un-played, though I will have checked all for any damage or scratches.      When an item then sells I will check the record is of the standard I have described and if not, then would immediately refund your money instead of posting and disappointing.       If anyone though wishes me to check a particular item before bidding then I will do so.   Please also note that the likes of David Cassidy, David Essex and similar are not mine but my wifes.

Click on "See Other Items" to view all the records I am selling

Vinyl

Mint   The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.

Excellent+   The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is no lessening in sound quality. Very minor light surface marks.

Excellent   The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. Light surface marks. 

Very Good   The record has been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks. 

Covers   

We will not send grossly damaged /torn or dirty sleeves. 

Excellent Minimal creasing, no tears, no sticker damage, no writing. Many are as new. 

Very Good   May have small tears (nothing over 5mm), minimal sticker damage, creasing or small writing.