Remastered Deluxe Editions

Schools Out 2023: The second, chronologically, of the vinyl/CD re-releases, but the first I listened to - As with a lot of remasters, the bass is ramped up here, so if you love Dennis, you'll be positively giddy, especially during Luney Tune and Alma Mater. Though to be honest, the record was already 'just right' on the low end. Comparing it with past releases, song by song, it doesn't sound like they magnified other instruments or changed the mix, maybe cleaned up some spots (I no longer hear that faint background voice on the pause in Mater). 

The fresh new treat comes with the second disc, which includes the May 27th, 1972, concert in Miami - while there are theatrics, it's not overly polished, there's a tough, rough, garage band sound here that I really liked - and you're not just hearing straight studio translations, there are different lyrics and arrangements to enjoy. After that - single versions for Schools Out and Gutter Cats, and a couple of really interesting alt takes on Alma Mater and Elected - Mater is not as dreamy, plus you'll hear differences in the playing and the monologue at the end, and on Elected, Alice's delivery on the "I Wanna Be's" are rather Ramones like.

That's the music, what about the words? The fan note offers a warm trip down memory lane, and the booklet is filled with informative reflections from band members on each track. What inspired them, how and what they played, even what strings they used - and each reenforces the idea that this was Glen's album, that it reflects his personality and style. On School, he was at the top of his game and fully present, maybe for the last time, and the LP acts is a tribute to him and his talents... though let's not slight the others, they were all on fire, and it's cool to read about how much work, how much thought, how much collaboration was put into this release. After reading these pieces, I went back and listened to the music with a new perspective and ears open to the bits and pieces they brought up.

In conclusion: Of the two, this was the one I looked forward to the most, I know it's not the majority opinion, but this is my A-1 from AC, I like the muscle, I like it thematically, and I like the sound quality... it's difficult to put my finger on it, but it sounds like something transmitted from the Twilight Zone, not psychedelic, just different in some way that both disturbs and delights me.

Oh, the vinyl version includes the famed (or should that be infamous) panties, sweet - but I'm a little sad that they didn't put mini panties on the CD. lol

Killer 2023: After School, I eagerly threw this in the player. As you can see from the image above, the vinyl release includes the poster/calendar. It, and the CD also has the fan's memories and the booklet, which offers up insights on the creation of each track (For example, I learned what flam is - it's what Neal played on Nervous)

On disc 2, another concert, which captures the band’s performance at Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico on April 2, 1972. The set list is similar to the one heard on School's, though rawer, but man, Halo of Flies/You Drive Me Nervous, Dennis and Neal just whale on that song in either concert. The record closes with 3 alternate versions for You Drive Me Nervous (neat take on the tune), Under My Wheels (sans horns... and I dig the horns, but there's a fierce energy in sections without 'em), and Dead Babies (I liked the pronounced feminine sounding backing vocal)

While the remastering on the main event (disc 1) gives the release a sonic punch (bass is strong though not overpowering), nothing much changed otherwise. I always felt the left channel guitar riff after the chorus on Body was a bit hot/loud, and a little too hard left, and it still is. So, this truly is a remaster, where you adjust compression and EQ, rather than a remix of any kind.

What else can I say, it's still Killer. You know it, you love it, you can't live without it.

 

Billion Dollar Babies 2001: "This next song is dirty, you'll love it!" - Alice. A huge upgrade from Warners thin and tinny 1990 CD release, this 2-disc digipak reproduces that brilliant packaging (with billion-dollar bill, seen above) and includes the remastered version of the original record, as well as tunes from the Babies tour, recorded in Texas for the film, Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper. It's a fabulous, hard rocking concert, with yet another updating of Dead Babies (Betty's "aspirin" was ever changing). Neal's drumming is fast and heavy, he simply blows the doors off the place. 3 guitarists are clearly heard; Mick Mashbir provided the extra axe, and Bob Dolin's the man on the keys.

Bonus material includes outtakes Coal Black Model T and Son of Billion Dollar Babies (a not-so-hot version of Generation Landslide), and Slick Black Limousine (an update of Model T).

According to several sources there was also a 24-page booklet enclosed on the physical release, yes, no? It's a bit confusing since some speak of it (a German blog), while others don't (was it not included in the States?) Since I came late to the game, and copies of the CD became pricey, I purchased it on iTunes, which didn't include a PDF booklet, but of what I've seen and read, there was a brief intro by Rhino's Vice President of A&R, David McLees, followed by an overview from Phoenix writer Brian Smith. There were also photos, lyrics and credits.

Billion Dollar Babies - Quadio 2023: The quadrophonic, 4-speaker audio mix of B$B was made available for the first time in 50 years as a Rhino exclusive (happy birthday, Babies) - and the sound and separation between instruments is fascinating - the way each is highlighted - you can really hear how gritty the rhythm guitars are, how the leads pop, and then there's all the effects layered on them - which allows some unusual sounds to come to the fore (Elected, for example, has a lot going on in it, more than your hearing in the traditional stereo, there's flange on one guitar, and something that I can only describe as a 'plunger' sound buried deep at the end, and more). You get a better appreciation of Neal's drumming - the harmonies on Nice Guy, and the vocal filters on Babies stand out... Unfinished Sweet is crunchier, Generation Landslide closes in an unusual, unfamiliar way, Sick Things is a new kind of trippy and scary, there's change in a lyric in Raped and Freezin ("Alone with a bloody nose") and just so, so many details to explore, maybe too much, but it's amazing to be able to pick it all out, and to feel it surround you like this.

Billion Dollar Babies 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition 2024: The "Trillion Dollar" edition, as it was promoted, features 3 vinyl records and replicates the original packaging, including the textured snakeskin cover. CD comes with 2 discs, and each include the booklet, which is loaded with memories from the band and producer. Most of the tracks are the same as what was found on the original remaster, though there are a couple of additional live song, and some singles versions.

For the main album - Schools and Killer were low frequency, with pronounced bass, so it's wasn't as much a leap to go from where they were to where they are, whereas $  had an airy, wide-open, trebly sound, and you can't stray too far with that without changing the character of the record, so yes, Elected still hurt my ears, though I get why (Alice is supposed to sound like a politician addressing a crowd, with that echoey, cheap sound system), the bass might be a little heavier, but it not a huge step above of what we heard on the last remaster.

The real bonus was the booklet, while we didn't get fan memories on this one, the bands recollections are well worth the price of admission. While many of the stories are familiar, there are a few different slants and just collecting their thoughts on the songs and production is a real joy. I seriously want one of these remasters for both the music and the memories, for Love it to Death.

Back to Page One