From: Sarachene Chlystek

It seems a shame that something that ALL Kiss fans should be celebrating (The first record from the boys in over 20 years)has stirred so much ire in some of the reviews, whatever happened to just being happy at hearing some new Kiss.

I have to admit I haven't been this fired up for a Kiss album since Creatures(gee, I wonder why)

It is very interesting that Kiss has created an album which almost no one in the internet community can reach concensus about(at least in the initial reviews)

Is it my favorite Kiss album, it may well be, it has been a long,long time since I've had a new Kiss song stick in my head, and even longer since an album has stuck in my cranium.

PSYCHO CIRCUS is an amazing track, the first time I heard it, it stuck and it has grown into one of my all time favorite tunes, I can't wait to see it performed live.

WITHIN is fantastic, a true gem, I've read some reviews that stated that Gene was out to lunch on this album, I couldn't dissagree more, If Gene was "loafing" we would've been treated to "Burn Bitch Burn".

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE I don't think any of the anthem songs on this album are on the calibre of "Shout it out Loud" or "RNR" but the guitars are superb throughout.

INTO THE VOID Oh my God!!! Welcome back Ace!! His best vocals, Great riffs, its more mellow than Rip it Out or Shock Me, but is catchier.

WE ARE ONE Wow, a truly cool song, good lyrics, great harmonies. I never pictured this from Gene, I expected Son of God of Thunder not this.

YOU WANTED THE BEST Very cool beat and guitar riffs, can't stand the chorus though

RAISE YOUR GLASSES Ugh, the only clunker for me. Don't like any of it. (But the tune does stay in your head)

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY A nice tune, beautifully sung(love Pete's voice)

DREAMIN' When I first heard this title I winced, but WOW! This is Pure Paul(as most have agreed)This is VINTAGE Paul Stanley, you know, the one from the solo album, not the high pitched Whooooooaaaohahhhhhhhhh guy. My word this is a great song, play it over and over and over(you get the point)

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS Gene didn't have a crappy song on the album in my humble opinion, and for me that is saying something, I rarely liked most of Gene's output in recent years.

Is this the most complete KISS album ever, No. I, as I'm sure most of you feel would've liked another Ace tune, substitute a song or two for a "really great anthem" A couple of more ripping tunes, a "down and dirty KISS ditty", I think you get the point, no one is going to be 100% satisfied, but I remember the initial reviews for Destroyer by some of my fellow fans in '76 were very nasty, and Rock and Roll Over was bashed quite a bit by those fans who wanted Destroyer.

Be happy that we get a new album from the originals, and if you get caught up in the "who played what" crap, ask yourself if 5 years ago you wouldn't have creamed yourself for this very album. Long Live KISS!!

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos