Alice Cooper has long been known primarily as a stage act, but when one sits and listens it is evident they are fine musicians, singers and writers and have a track record of hits. This is one greatest hits set that truly is a greatest hits, with most of the cuts having enjoyed strong AM or FM success. Many did not become heavily involved in the band during their early days, so this is a perfect addition to a collection. Best cuts: "I'm Eighteen," "Be My Lover," "School's Out," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Billion Dollar Babies."

- Billboard, 1974.

Original album advertising art. Click image for larger view.

Bonus Reviews!

Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: Album Review: Killer Album Review: School's Out Album Review: Muscle Of Love Album Review: Welcome To My Nightmare Single Review: "School's Out" Alice Cooper: In His Own Words Alice Cooper Lyrics

Bet this favors passable-minus stuff from Muscle of Love -- one cut a stiff, the other never a single -- over the great stuff from Love It to Death because Alice-the-person had no publishing percentage on the latter. Too bad, because this is very spotty for a group that's done more than the Rolling Stones to beef up AM radio over the past few years. Nonetheless, those wise enough to have foregone album purchase up to now should stop their bucks here. A-

- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

While he made many classic hard-rock singles, Alice Cooper never made a consistently enjoyable album, making Greatest Hits a necessity. It might not cover all of his best tracks, but everything you need to know is here. * * * * *

- Stephen Thomas Erlewine , The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

Absent a good box set -- which has been rumored to be coming for several years now -- Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits is the essential singles collection and proof that there's more to Cooper than a cheap-thrills horror show. * * * * *

- Gary Graff, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

Snakes alive, you gotta love the trashiness -- laugh now, but you're old enough to remember, you used to adore this pop genius. Here is a good helping from the king of macabre shock-rock, who, long before there was a Marilyn Manson or Kiss, went to the gallows for his makeup and symbolism. These angsty teenage anthems including "School's Out" and "I'm Eighteen" are delivered with hooks, riffs and attitude. * * * *

- Zagat Survey Music Guide - 1,000 Top Albums of All Time, 2003.