Okay, I finally heard the new Kiss album today. Three times in fact. And now here's my review. Well........um......hmmmm.......uh.......Let me start this way. We've waited for four years for some new music from Kiss and when some comes our way, this is what we get?!!! I'm at a loss for words, but I'll try to say more!! I really wanted to like this album. I was hoping that I would, but I just can't! For those of you who think this sounds like "Creatures of the Night" in any way, you are all sadly mistaken! "Creatures" has a lot of memorable music that you can stomp your foot to and clap along with. This album sounds NOTHING like "Creatures" and for that matter, it sounds NOTHING like "Revenge." This album sounds like nothing Kiss has ever done before. Now while that may be a good thing, I was hoping that Kiss's new musical direction would give us some high quality music to show that they're still ahead of their contemporairies, and all those new bands they've influenced. But they've failed! And miserably!! All in all, this album has no musical style whatsoever. I will admit that the guitar playing is top notch, but the songwriting is overall very sloppy. Paul's vocals are at times off key and inaudible! Very disappointing to hear him sound like that. He's always written some great music and this time he's fallen short. Here's my song by song review.

HATE: I can't say much about this song. It's terrible!
RAIN: Not all together bad, the chorus is somewhat good.
TELL ME: Paul sounds terrible on this song. Another waste!
CHILDHOOD'S END: Rather sloppy in my opinion. I don't like the chord progression and it's hard to follow. It's not
completely bad, but it's something I just can't get into.
I WILL BE THERE: Sounding somewhat similar to "Misunderstood" off the last Motley Crue album, but not as good. Paul
does not sound right when he's singing at a lower pitch. His voice is not suited for this kind of music.
THE JUNGLE: The best song on the album. By this time, I was ready to throw the tape against the wall and stomp it to
death! This song saved it. Great guitar riffs! That's theonly memorable thing about this album. The ending is a bit
too long for my tastes.
SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT: I like the verses of this song. Very Beatlesque, somewhat "Tomorrow Never Knows" sounding,
but the chorus ruins it for me.
IT NEVER GOES AWAY: For those who ever wondered what Black Sabbath would've sounded like had Paul Stanley replaced Ozzy
Osbourne. Good harmonies, but that's as far as it goes.
IN MY HEAD: Same review as "Hate."
YOU CONFESS: Not thrilled with this song either, but Gene does do a nice vocal. That's one thing about this album,
Gene does sing well throughout. Paul doesn't really deliver as well.
(TAKE A LOOK)IN THE MIRROR: The only other good song on the album to me. I really got into this one.

Well all in all, I really have to be dreadfully honest and say that this is definitely Kiss's worst work! Like I said I wanted to like this album and I am one who can never deny a good song or a good album, no matter what kind of music, but Kiss is not suited for this style. It doesn't work for them and I am HIGHLY disappointed in this! I would have to say that I would choose "Let's Put the X in Sex" or "Uh All Night" over the "Carnival of Souls" album anytime! There's no way Kiss could ever incorporate any of these songs in a set list with songs like "Rock and Roll All Nite," or "Love Gun!" Can't be done! Sorry if offended anyone, but this is how I feel. This album is garbage!