Careful What You Wish For
By: Dave Scott

After reading several other articles on this site, I decided to stick my two cents in.

"I've always wanted to time travel. And now after putting the makeup and costume back on, it feels like I've gone back nearly twenty years. It's incredible." -- Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley

It never really struck me how right Ace was when he said that, until a few weeks ago. For me personally, it feels like we ALL have gone back in time from that moment. Let me explain. What I'm going to do is substitute key events from 1975 on and transpose them with key events from 1995 and go forward accordingly. You may be surprised at the coincidences:

1975: KISS has recorded two studio albums ("Kiss"/"Hotter Than Hell") from a stable lineup that are well received by fans but fail to get them noticed by the general public.
1995: KISS has recorded two studio albums ("Revenge"/"Carnival Of Souls") from a stable lineup that are well received by fans but fail to get them noticed by the general public.

1975: KISS releases a live album ("Alive!") that brings them into the spotlight for the first time.
1995: KISS releases a live album ("Unplugged") that brings them back into the spotlight for the first time in 17 years.

1976: KISS enters the studio to record an album ("Destroyer") with a handful of good songs ("Detroit Rock City" / "God Of Thunder"/"Shout It Out Loud" ) that are overblown by a big-name producer (Bob Ezrin), while using musicians outside the band on some songs.
1996: KISS enters the studio to record an album ("Psycho Circus") with a handful of good songs ("Psycho Circus"/"Into The Void"/"Raise Your Glasses") that are overblown by a big-name producer (Bruce Fairbairn), while using musicians outside the band on some songs.

1977: The merchandise machine began rolling out products at an alarming rate. It started small, with comic books, bubblegum cards, model cars and vans, and dolls. Soon it became grossly overdone to the point of ridiculousness.
1997: The merchandise machine began rolling out products at an alarming rate. It started small, with comic books, trading cards, racing cars and monster trucks, and action figures. Soon it became grossly overdone to the point of ridiculousness.

1978: KISS participates in the making of a (TV) movie ("KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park") that has a lame story, bad actors, and moronic dialouge. The only saving grace of this film for the fans is the music and appearance of KISS live.
1998: KISS participates in the making of a (theatrical) movie ("Detroit Rock City") that has a lame story, bad actors, and moronic dialouge. The only saving grace of this film for the fans is the music and appearance of KISS live.

1979: KISS decides to pursue a myriad of solo projects (acting, producing, solo albums) while contemplating their next move.
1999: KISS decides to pursue a myriad of solo projects (acting, producing, solo albums) while wondering if they HAVE another move.

1980: In order to preserve their image of larger than life characters, KISS decides to begin work on a 'concept album' project ("Music From The Elder") rather than recording 'just another hard rock album'. This was where the BIGGEST mistake was, without question.
2000: (Projected) In order to preserve their image of larger than life bank accounts, KISS decides to begin work on a 'concept album' project (Untitled as of yet), rather than recording 'just another hard rock album'. This will be where their BIGGEST mistake will be again, without question.

After all these comparisons, it's pretty plain to see that KISS did NOT learn from their mistakes in any other area than alcohol and drug abuse by certain members. I hate to be the one saying this, because I cried when I saw them on stage for the first Reunion show, as I'm sure many others did. It WAS incredible. It WAS magical. But now, we're approaching the dark times again, and it's sad that KISS themselves cannot see it.

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