From: Jerry James

Psyco Circus popped into my mind for literally no reason today. Kind of a strange thing. I Was driving to work and thought, "I wonder if the new KISS thing is out yet?".

I remember being 8 and saving my allowance to buy Kiss albums. I had them all, as well as a room literally COVERED in KISS. I remember how my parents HATED KISS. Mom thought that they were Satanists, Dad was more of a 50's rock and roll fan. Neither of them understood how anybody could enjoy this band, EVER. Everything they hated about KISS, I loved. Gimme a break, I was 8.

I'm 30 now, a dad, and yes, I attended the reunion concert twice. Tupelo and Nashville. That had to be the best 2 concert experiences of my life. I had never seen these guys play in makeup. I had always wanted to, but by the time I was 16, and got a car, the best I could get was "Animalize". I enjoyed it, but it wasn't KISS, really. Ace and Peter were gone, the makeup was gone, they played their asses off and did a great show, but it wasn't KISS. To see them like this took me back to that time in my childhood when things were still cool. A 30 year-old father didn't attend those shows, it was the 8 year-old, and he LOVED IT!!!

Today, 30 year-old dad went into the record store and picked up PSYCO CIRCUS. Didn't have a problem with the price, didn't have to save. I thought the cover was cool....looks like a classic KISS album, only maybe a KISS album from an alternate universe. Turns the record SOUNDS that way, too. It SOUNDS like KISS, but weird, if that makes any sense.

PSYCO CIRCUS, the title cut, is pretty cool. I like the sound of this one. It has a kicking back-beat and big guitars. Paul doesn't yodel like he did on Animalize. Ace's playing is a good as ever, and his solo rocks. All in all, it's a Good opening cut, but I think the hook is a little weak, and it's ALMOST KISS. (Gimme a break, I'm 30.)

WITHIN is a decent cut. Gene's growling is as jagged as ever, (that's a GOOD thing) and again, the guitar work is heavy and rocks right along. Again, I think the hook is weak. This cut doesn't stand out much. just decent.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF ROCK AND ROLL: is one of the better cuts on the album. This one's better than 80's KISS and has ALMOST everything that makes a great KISS record. The Lyrics are there, Paul's vocals are dead-on and kicking ass, but the guitar work is a little (please forgive me) lame. I refer particularly to the "I'm satisfied" riff. The guitars here don't sound big enough. This song needs more punch, but I feel like it will make the next greatest hits compilation and deserves it's place among the classics.

INTO THE VOID...Ace hasn't changed a bit. I started playing guitar because of him. This, I think sounds more like classic KISS than anything else on the album. What can I say...this one HAS it. Kick ass, Ace!

WE ARE ONE....Is a very good song. Gene's vocals are great, and the guitar work is nice. I like these lyrics. I can identify with this song, as Gene knew my generation (Gen X) would when he wrote it. It almost sounds like an alternative record, but nonetheless, this is a great KISS song. Great job.

YOU WANTED THE BEST....We got the Go Go's? Okay, that was mean, but it does sound like "we got the beat", only we got the beat from hell, so it's much better. I like the guitar work on this a lot. I'm going to learn it and play it on my lefty BC Rich Mockingbird, and life will be good. This song was a great Idea, but I bet at some point Gene looked at Paul, or somebody looked at somebody and said, "Hey, that sounds like the F*(***& Go-Go's".

RAISE YOUR GLASSES....I do not like this one. It's a weak attempt at another anthem that just doesn't quite go anywhere.They could have done better, I think.

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY...no you didn't. this will never be a hit. I know, I pick them for a living. DREAMIN' ....is another very good KISS song. Paul's vocals are punchy and in the key of signature KISS. This cut is a lot like I Still Love You, but the guitars are bigger and crunchier, Just the way I like them.

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS is probably the second most radio friendly song on the album. Well done, but it's just another so-so tune.

All in all, I like PSYCO CIRCUS. It's a good album by a great band. I think that what's missing in part is the fact that Gene and Paul don't seem to write together any more. I think that in the first few albums, (the ones us old fans keep referring to) were unique because of the collective writing of the band members, and I'd like to see them do that again. I'm sure the guys in KISS get tired of people constantly comparing everything they do to everything they did, but I'm a fan, and only human. As it turns out, so is KISS. I'll enjoy listening to this album with my Son, and answering all his questions about The Demon, Space Ace, Star-Child, and The Cat. I've promised him I'd take him to see the tour when it comes close...he's excited already. He has an Ace Frehley poster in his room, and another one that he pulled out of one of my guitar magazines. I'm dreading the day when he brings home something from a band that I won't be able to fathom how ANYBODY could dig that crap. I guess what I'm trying to say is that although the music doesn't sound like it used to, I'm glad to have KISS back. These four men have left their marks in the imaginations and hearts of millions of people, and PSYCO CIRCUS is a good indication that the world's greatest rock and roll band might just pull it off...again.

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