From: Mark Valentino

Hi. I'm Mark Valentino, otherwise known as MRVEE163 or NYFIRE163. I'd like to offer my review of the new KISS album, PSYCHO CIRCUS. As a HUGE KISS fan for well over 23 years, I know what I like when it comes to a KISS album. This new album has something for everybody. However, I truly feel that not ALL of these new songs will be up to par with what us diehard KISS fans have come to expect in the past.

I recieved a copy of the tape a week ago from my brother, Tommy, A.K.A. TOMMEEVEE. After listening to the tape everyday for this past week, I find the production to not be as slick as it has been in the past (Bruce Fairbairn and Ron Nevison, are you listening?), though I didn't find it as muddy as REVENGE and CARNIVAL OF SOULS. While the guitars and the vocals are up front in the mix, I don't hear the booming drums a la Eric Carr. Now, some people have been speaking of rumors of someone else playing drums on this album, and i REFUSE to add to the fodder. I WILL say this; if it ISN'T Peter playing drums, whoever it is must be a pretty lousy drummer, as most of the beats and fills on this album left me wanting more.

PSYCHO CIRCUS - This song grabs ya right from the start. Forget about the cheesy carnival intro. i fast forward thru it everytime. This song kicks ass!!! I hope this song is the show opener, as it just has the power and the fury that fueled KISS shows way back when. Pauls vocals sound strong and the music has a heavy , yet catchy hook that is pretty awesome.

WITHIN - Not a bad Gene song. I have never been much of a fan of his songs from LICK IT UP thru the present, but I find this song to be listenable.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIENCE...... - Another great song from Paul.. His vocals have matured along the way and he doesnt seem to be reaching for those notes that make dogs ears stand up. This song is a good rocker from start to finish.

INTO THE VOID - The good thing about Ace is that he is an OK song writer and he KNOWS it. I have always appreciated and liked his songs. This song is reminiscient of his solo days, although i always did love his old Frehley's Comet co-hort Tod Howarth's songs better. Another good rocker from ol' Space Ace.

WE ARE ONE - Oddly enough, this is a really good song. Shades of Partridge Family/Brady Bunch notwithstanding, I found this song a fresh departure from his usual "I WANNA PUT MY LOG IN YER FIREPLACE" approach to songwriting. Ultra clean vocals, jangly guitars, and nice melody make me wonder if there is hope for Gene yet.

YOU WANTED THE BEST...........- Yes, the anthem song. Yes, the anthem song that will probably (yawnnnnnnnn) be played live. Yes, the anthem song that will probably be played live to give most of us time to go take a leak and then get back in time for the better songs to be played.

RAISE YOUR GLASSES - Hopefully this will be the single to the album. Not that any radio stations or MTV will be playing it, but I feel this is the best song on the album. Now mind you, I didn't have a copy of the liner notes with my tape, so I am only guessing, but this song has Desmond Child written all over it

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY- the last song on the album by Gene. It did leave me thinking about THE ELDER album. Not a bad song.

DREAMING- What the hell is wrong with Peter?. Didn't KISS do Beth back in 1976?. We don't need to hear a rehash of it again. Peter has always had a penchant for the sweet, sappy , sugar coated ballads, and while they might sound good on his solo albums, they have no place on a KISS album.

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS - A real good song by Gene. I like the way this song moves from the grooving bass lines to the brooding guitars. A real gem by Mr. Simmons.

A Final Thought........ As you can see, I was brutally honest in my review. I have been a KISS fan for a long time and have played guitar, bass and drums for over 20 years as well, so i try and look at the OVERALL picture (songs, songwriting, production, etc......) when reviewing this album. I will not sit down and glamorize these songs for the sake of the fans. Anyone who wishes to contact me with their own comments may do so at MRVEE163@aol.com or NYFIRE163@aol.com.

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