Album Mini-review: Hollywood Vampires
File Next to: Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, the infamous A Toot and a Snore in ’74 bootleg
The original Hollywood Vampires was an informal early ’70s all-star collective of L.A. scenesters who engaged in drink, drugs and general rabble-rousing (and – only rarely – music). Most of its alumni have either died (Harry Nilsson, John Lennon, Keith Moon) or cleaned up (Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr, Micky Dolenz). Today’s aggregation of the same name is led by Cooper, Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry, and…Johnny Depp. That should tell you most of what you need to know about this project. The tunes – covers and two originals – rock hard, with enough humor to keep things afloat. The Coop is nobody’s idea of a great singer, but the songs and arrangements make the most of his particular talents. Perry handles the big guitar parts, and it’s hard to know what exactly Depp is doing here. The whole affair is supremely inconsequential; it’s also a lot of fun.
An edited version of this review appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent.
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About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.