"Pretties for You" is the debut studio album by the American rock band Alice Cooper, released on June 25, 1969, under Straight Records. At the time, "Alice Cooper" referred to the entire band, not just its frontman Vincent Furnier (who later adopted the name for himself).
The album is characterized by a psychedelic style, distinct from the more concise hard rock sound that would later define the band. It features experimental elements such as unusual time signatures, jarring syncopation, expressive dynamics, and an eclectic range of musical influences. Some tracks, like "Levity Ball," show clear inspiration from Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, influenced by the time the band spent together during Pink Floyd's U.S. tour.
Guitarist Glen Buxton expressed admiration for Syd Barrett's guitar playing, which influenced the band's early sound. The album cover artwork, a painting by Edward Beardsley, originally hung in Frank Zappa's home and was later reportedly stolen.
Despite its experimental approach, "Pretties for You" was met with both critical and commercial disappointment. It briefly appeared on the Billboard Top 200 chart but did not achieve significant success. None of its songs have been performed live by Alice Cooper since the release of their breakthrough album, "Love It to Death."
The song "Reflected," the album's first single, was later reworked and included as "Elected" on their 1973 album "Billion Dollar Babies." This transformation marked a significant shift in Alice Cooper's musical direction towards more commercially successful hard rock and theatrical performances, which would define their later career.
