Pros And Cons Of The Last Few Years In KISStory
By: James Borgic

I've been a KISS fan for awhile now and over the years, especially the last two, I've been disappointed, I've been satisfied, I've been burned and I've been happy with the band, and I've also been angry with them. Many KISS fans, especially the long term ones that have been there since the beginning, are becoming frustrated. Some of them have been frustrated since the early 80's, some of them since Carnival of Souls, or Carnival of Seattle to many. Some people like the 80's stuff, out of respect for Eric Carr, some hate it because they didn't like the 80's at all. Some would only like to think of the original line-up as KISS, but whatever your preference KISS has disappointed nearly everyone, old fans and new fans, with their lack of effort lately.

I've only been a KISS fan for seven years so I wasn't there in the beginning, but I always hoped that the original line-up would get back together ever since I bought my first KISS album, Hotter than Hell. I knew of KISS because someone had the Revenge album, which was a decent album in my opinion. I figured COS would sound similar, boy was I wrong. Here are my pros and cons of the current hot topics.

Pro's of KISS playing 80's material:
1. Tribute to Eric Carr
2. Gives newer fans what they might be missing
3. Last chance for KISS to play that stuff
4. A good challenge and something different
5. Larger sets of songs and potential for guest appearances

Cons:
1. Some of the music is outdated
2. More metal than hard rock
3. It will just be weird to see them play this stuff in makeup
4. Unfair to Ace and Peter

Pros of the Psycho Circus album:
1. Interesting concept
2. We Are One was a great song
3. Comic book spinoff is interesting

Cons:
1. It wasn't really a KISS album for many reasons
2. Overhyped by Gene and Paul
3. Peter and Ace didn't have much to do with it
4. Doesn't sound like KISS

After the Reunion Tour, KISS walked away thinking they could walk on water, especially Gene. The Reunion Tour was possibly the greatest tour of all time. KISS was really giving fans old and new what they wanted, but after the tour and during the tour, the merchandising got way out of hand, and Carnival of Souls came out. In my opinion, that album should never have been released for various reasons. Die hard fans didn't like it. There wasn't one song about sex, it was all about religion and politics. It would have been a great Pearl Jam album.

Then the most overhyped album of all time came out and fell beneath most fans expectations and KISS fans always have great expectations, no pun intended. There wasn't one song about sex that we KISS fans have come to expect. At least their 80's stuff still had that.

Perhaps we fans were spoiled by the Reunion Tour. KISS is doing what they did in the late 70's all over again, lying and taking advantage of their fans. Most people think they did it throughout the 80's but they were still churning out hits and made new fans during that era, but they were still not being up front with us. They have blatently pulled the wool over our eyes time and time again. My only question is "Why?" That's what I ask you KISS fans, but perhaps we'll never know. What happened? When did KISS stop putting their fans first? I always fall for the same old lines time and time again, but when are they going to be up front with us? It better be soon, or else that greatest album they keep promising us will never happen. Perhaps the greatest album already happened, of course everyone has a different opinion on what that greatest album is.

Now, KISS fans are divided. The old fans resent the new fans and vice versa. The wise fans resent the naive ones. Maybe KISS is giving someone what they really want, but not me and I'm a new fan, but I'm no fool. Before COS, I felt the band could do no wrong -- boy was I mistaken. I don't know why I stick with this band sometimes, but perhaps it is my love for their past accomplishments, perhaps it is curiosity, perhaps it is a hope that they will start listening to the real fans, the fans that have every album, who have been to every tour, that have tattoos or scars to show for their loyalty. But no, they're not listening to anyone. But if they want to go out on a high note, they better start writing, give Ace and Peter more input, lock out all the jerk-off producers, take the bull by the horns and churn out some good old fashioned rock and roll and take the fans' suggestions. I thought that was the whole point of reuniting! I'm really sick of the lies. It all gives me a headache. I think I'll go listen to Love Gun now.

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