Billion Dollar Babies - Battle Axe

PD-1-6100 Polydor 2391 273 (1977 LP)

COE190 Coe Records/Castle Music (2004 CD)

As their former frontman continued his popular theatrical antics, three members of the original band (guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith) formed the band Billion Dollar Babies, named after the 1973 Alice Cooper album and song. With keyboardist Bob Dolin and guitarist Mike Marconi rounding out the quintet, the band recorded only one album, on which they played straight-ahead rock and roll similar to the music they made with Cooper. Bruce handles vocal duties (as he sometimes did on the first two albums). His voice is less menacing than Cooper's, though he usually sounds like he is mimicking his style. There's nothing great on Battle Axe, but it is consistently energetic and entertaining.

The LP bombed commercially, and the Billion Dollar Babies never recorded a second album. The Battle Axe LP has been out of print since the late 70's and had two (not compleatly legal) CD re-issues, first in 2001 as a rip-off 3 CD-set. That CD was no more than a ripped LP burned onto CD. Second re-issue was in 2004 by C(um) O(n) E(verybody) Records. COE used a good source tape and so their CD is much more enjoyable to listen to (no vinyl ticks and clicks!).

It's here at 320 KB/s, including the original CD artwork.
If you're an early Alice Cooper fan than this is a must have!

Tracklisting: Too Young / Shine Your Love / I Miss You / Wasn't I The One / Love Is Rather Blind / Rock And Roll Radio / Dance With Me / Rock Me Slowly / Ego Mania / Battle Axe (Sudden Death) / Winner