Detroit Stories
Alice Cooper · 2021
50 min · 15 tracks · hard rock
A vibrant homage to rock's roots, blending gritty garage energy with theatrical flair and reflective storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Rock & Roll Start here — This track serves as an electrifying opener that encapsulates the spirit of classic rock while paying tribute to the genre's roots.
-
→
$1000 High Heel Shoes — With its catchy chorus and playful lyrics, this song showcases Cooper’s trademark wit and glam rock sensibilities, making it an instant standout.
-
→
Hail Mary — This track features powerful vocal delivery and poignant lyrics that reflect on themes of desperation and redemption, showcasing Cooper's storytelling prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive arc across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, followed by several mid-tempo songs that explore various themes.
- Several tracks feature prominent guitar riffs and solos, characteristic of hard rock, while others incorporate piano and orchestral elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- raucous sing-alongs with friends
- steady pacing for road trips
- theatrical storytelling moments
- celebratory energy for gatherings
- nostalgic reflections on history
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quiet introspective moments
- prefer immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Cooper's later career.
- Themes
- Detroit's musical legacy· gritty urban chaos· rock and roll excess
- Career context
- Released on February 26, 2021, 'Detroit Stories' marks Alice Cooper's first studio album since his 2017 release 'Paranormal'. At this point in his career, Cooper was celebrating his Detroit origins, showcasing a blend of new material and reimagined classics while reaffirming his status as a rock icon.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Kiss· Queen
Tracklist
- 1 Rock & Roll Start here 4:43
- 2 Go Man Go (album version) 2:40
- 3 Our Love Will Change the World 3:39
- 4 Social Debris 3:05
- 5 $1000 High Heel Shoes 3:29
- 6 Hail Mary 3:14
- 7 Detroit City 2021 (album version) 3:19
- 8 Drunk and in Love 3:52
- 9 Independence Dave 2:56
- 10 I Hate You 2:34
- 11 Wonderful World 3:20
- 12 Sister Anne (album version) 4:47
- 13 Hanging by a Thread (Don’t Give Up) 3:36
- 14 Shut Up and Rock 2:09
- 15 East Side Story (album version) 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.