From: Surecatch@aol.com

Well after finally finding a working link to the new tune, I like the rest of the world have an opinion to espouse. Firstly, let me say that as an on and off fan since around 1975, the reformation of the original members is something that I have waited for a long time for. Was it worth the wait?.......Sure it was. But is it classic Kiss?

In a way yes, but classic is something that takes time. No the song is not as good as some of their vintage material from 74-77 but I think anyone that was hoping for something to stand alongside of Duece, RARAN or Detroit Rock City was probably setting himself up for a dissappointment. The anticipation of new music has always been at least half the fun for me. Back when I was a huge KISS nut (and before the bootleg market boomed), I would be slightly obsessive about an emminent release and by the time I had the album in my hands, I would be expecting an album that would also provide a cure for Malaria. Now that I'm a little older and wiser and my musical scope has expanded, I'm able to assess a new tune with more of a sensible critical point of view and thats what I told myself to do before I played PC for the first time.

First of all, the song is a pretty good one if also a little predictable. Paul Stanley crafts a pretty interesting song structure, the verses being very good and the choruses being pretty hohum. I thought the way he had his voice trail off in the chorus while the background voices continue another note was an interesting touch but the chorus is actually pretty cliched. I must admit I expected more in this regard. The verses are much more interesting the way Paul fuses the melody of his lyrics to the guitar chords behind them. Next comes the highly anticipated "Ace Frehley soloing" that Kiss fans have labeled the definition of the KISS sound. I've heard other fans say that this solo isn't much, that Gene and Paul were obvioulsly holding him back etc. Again, I think the anticipation of Aces stylish and extremely melodic soloing led some to believe he would tear it up on every song, ala "Makin love" or "Rocket Ride" but some of Ace's best work was minimalistic in nature. Let us also not forget that Detroit Rock City has a very minimalistic solo and "Rock and Roll all Night" has no solo at all and these are the KISS classics of all KISS classics.

The phrasing of the first guitar part of the solo is typical 90's KISS and I was glad to see they didn't try to rach "all the way back" and just copy their sound from 1976 (which would have been the easiest thing to do). It reminds me a little of "God gave rock and roll to you" and fits the song well. Ace then proceeds to get a little loose and while he doesn't shred it up he puts forth a very good and very complimentary solo that fits the song perfectly. Any more than that probably would have not done service to the song.

After this there is a "quiet period" where the lyrics are kind of softly spoken and layered over each other and this lends alot to the song. It has a bit of a COS feel to it and again I think this really helps the song sound fresh and modern. They could have easily just put in another "verse/chorus" pattern and moved on to the next song. An effective way to spice up a song.

Over all, I like the song alot. I'm not gaga over it and I can't hear it's sonic qualities too well, but it sounds like the production is pretty slick and heavy which is how I prefer hard rock to sound. If the rest of the album stands up to this song, I will be happy but only because I came to realize at some point that there was no way they could record together again with integrity and hope to repeat every fiber of magic the way they did in 1976. I am very impressed by the song and am pretty hopeful that I will be able to overlook what is sure to be an overly-cliched lyrical approach for the rest of the album and tap into the sonic magic of the powerful original lineup recording together once again in 1998

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