From: BSSlegel@aol.com

I just received my copy of Psycho Circus a few days ago and I've been listening the hell out of it ever since. This is, actually, for 2 reasons. First, because there are a few songs that really make me want to listen to them over and over again. Secondly, because there are a few mediocre songs, that I figured, if I listen to them repeatedly, will begin to grow on me. I'll just break them down by track number.

1. Psycho Circus - This is one of those songs that didn't grab me right away, and it's beginning to weasel it's way into my brain, but I still wouldn't put it as one of my favorites from this album. It starts out interestingly enough, and it will almost definitely be the tour's opener, but the chorus just doesn't sound catchy enough. Is that really Peter playing drums here? Don't get me wrong...it's not a bad song, though. My local radio station is playing the crap out of it.

2. Within - Yes! This is a great Gene song! It really grinds and is very reminiscent of Unholy and might even have been a leftover from Carnival of Souls. I heard a rumor that Bruce Kulick was in the studio for the recording of some of this album and I'm willing to bet my toenails that he is the one playing guitars here, not Ace. Listen closely to the solo....it is definitely not Ace's style. Compare it to Bruce's guitar work on Paralyzed and you'll see what I mean. Again, is that really Peter playing drums here? Either way, it's one of the album's stand outs.

3. I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock & Roll - Not a bad Paul song. Not great either. It almost sounds like they could have slapped this one somewhere on Hot in the Shade. This sounds like it could be Ace playing the solo, or at least someone faking it. I could be wrong, but my guess is that it is Paul himself who is doing all the guitar work here. He's done it several times before (mostly on Unmasked, or so I hear) and managed to fake Ace's style rather nicely.

4. Into The Void - A typical Ace tune, not that it's a bad thing. It sounds like a natural progression from Rocket Ride. Could this song also have a sexual innuendo? Ace, himself, said that Rocket Ride wasn't about space travel, but it was about "entering a black hole." Could Into The Void be the sequel which actually takes us inside that "black hole"? Hmmm....

5. We Are One - I can hear some people saying that this is no Gene Simmons song. How can the Demon do such a sappy song? Well, I actually like it. This is one of the songs that did grab me right away. I found myself humming it while driving, working, showering, and while reading the new Psycho Circus comic book on the toilet. I once read in a review (which belonged in the toilet) of Revenge that Gene's voice was now reduced to nothing more than a growl, but I think he shows here that he still has his voice. It, also, sounds like Gene is doing all of the background vocals. Decent lyrics, too.

6. You Wanted The Best - Nice homage to the fans as well as themselves. I don't think that this anthem can be put on the same pedestal as Rock And Roll All Night or Shout It Out Loud, but it is a nice attempt. The lyrics are kind of corny ("The fans wanted us to play, we hear and we obey"), but the chorus does a nice karate chop to the ass. It sent chills down my spine just to hear Gene, Ace, Paul, and Peter singing on the same song again, so I guess it doesn't matter what the hell they're saying!

7. Raise Your Glasses - I heard this one on the radio, the day before the album was released, and it gave me a boner right off the bat. I couldn't wait to get the album the next day, as if the months....no....years....of build up weren't enough!! Paul's vocals are very strong on this one. Is it me or is he getting better with age? Good guitar work here. This sure sound like Ace. Doesn't sound like Peter, but I may be a little rough on the old chap.

8. I Finally Found My Way - In the words of one of Gene's songs from Crazy Nights...."NO, NO, NO"!!! I think of myself as a true Kiss Fan and I can find the good in some of their songs where others may not, but this is a horrible song! I guess it's supposed to be this album's version of Beth, but it falls incredibly short. It actually seems like it was yanked right out of Peter's solo album. I can't totally blame Peter for this mess, because Paul and Bob Ezrin wrote it (shame on you Paul!), but it's his singing that destroys it. Even when Paul joins in on the vocals to help him out, it just doesn't work! Peter really struggles to reach the high notes.

9. Dreamin' - Another great showcase for Paul's voice. This could (like Within) be a leftover from Carnival Of Souls. It fits with that album's darker sound. Again, I question whether or not that Ace is doing the guitar work here. It sounds as if someone is, unsuccessfully, trying to copy his style again. This isn't a great song, but it is growing on me like a fungus.

10. Journey Of 1,000 Years - I think this is Gene's only weak contribution to the album. It's an average song, but when I program my CD player to play my favorites, this isn't one of them. I guess I should give it a chance, since I have been skipping over it (not jumping as high as I can over it as I do with Peter's song).

All in all, I like this album. It was a little disappointing, because for some reason I was expecting more. Ahh...it doesn't matter, since, either way, my friends and family will be saturated with it's contents for many months to come! I can see it now....my girlfriend will refuse to go with me on long road trips, because she'll be brainwashed to eat, sleep, and defecate Kiss, the way I do! I do think that this album wasn't a total team effort and, if it were, it could have been even better. Might I also add that the cover to Psycho Circus will save a lot of fans from, unnecessarily, spending their money on Magic Mushrooms! Yay! KISS, like, RULES, Man...N'Kay?......

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