From: Jeff D

Well, I've spent the last hour reading all the previous album and single reviews. Some of which I agree with, many of which I don't. Having just heard the album, here are my thoughts:

With the many different eras of Kiss, there was no way they could please everybody with this new album. If they made a record that sounded close to Destroyer and Love Gun, then fans of the later stuff would think its dated and a rehash. If they made a record that sounded all like Carnival of Souls and the mid-90's Kiss, then fans of the old stuff would bitch. Meanwhile, fans of the 80's sound would be disappointed.

With that in mind, it seems that Psycho Circus has at least something for every kind of Kiss fan on this record. It really has a variety of styles, from power ballads to more experimental 'modern' tunes. If you like Carnival, you'll like "Within" and "Journey." If you like the pure pop sounds, you'll enjoy "Raise your Glasses" and "We are One". You even get the obligatory Peter Criss ballad. I wouldn't really call it disjointed though. Okay, they used outside writers....so what? I don't think it should matter. If a song is good, and you like it, does it really matter who wrote it?

Also keep in mind, the relatively short amount of time in which this album was put together. Its not like they spent 4 or 5 years putting this thing together. Some other bands spend that much time making a record and its not even half as good as Psycho Circus.

Everyone rips on Bruce Fairbairn....but hey, he must be doing something right, if so many artists want to work with him....and look at the successful albums he has produced......

I personally like this disc. I like all their stuff. You can't go wrong listening to Rock and Roll Over or Love Gun, but at the same time...there's nothing wrong with listening to Crazy Nights or Animalize. Psycho Circus fits well in the Kiss catalog.

One other item I'd like to mention is the fact that many other reviewers have based their opinions from just hearing short clips on the internet. These clips (Wave,Real Audio, Mp3,whatever) are not a good representation of how the final product sounds. You shouldn't really judge it completely until you hear the entire work as its meant to be heard. It sounds much better, trust me.

As far as who really plays on this record.....You know, I really don't even care at this point. I know when I see them in concert I will get a good show. Kiss is a great band...but they are not musical virtuosos. If Bruce Kulick plays on parts of this record, so what? He's part of the 'family'. When I saw Kiss at the Reunion show, it appeared that it was the original 4 on stage...and the sounds seemed to be coming from their instruments. Unless none of their guitars were plugged in, and a 'ghost' band was performing secretly backstage.

Realistically, who's to say that Ace couldn't play a song like "Within?" Dropped D tuning isn't that hard to figure out! I'm a drummer myself, and even I know dropped D. I bet some of you out there would just freak if you saw them play that song live. Like "WOW, Ace knows how to play something like this?" Well DUH, he's a good guitarist....Sure he's spacey, and if you believe the Kiss n'Tell book, a real goof...but certainly is a one of a kind guitarist. And is there a law that says Peter Criss can only drum like he did on "Shock me" or tunes like that? If that's him on all the songs on this record, it sounds like he's trying new things...experimenting a little. He's a good solid drummer. If he sucked that bad, they wouldn't have gotten him for the Reunion tour, don't you think? I just think people get carried away with speculations and rumors about other musicians being brought in.

Overall, I'd have to say Psycho Circus is just another piece of Kisstory. Some will hate it, some will love it. This record won't make or break Kiss at all. If anything,it will keep Kiss in the spotlight. Look at Carnival of Souls...it only received limited airplay, didn't sell really well...disappointed some fans. Maybe with this one,they will even make it back on the charts again. Its definitely more commercial sounding in places. Not that it really matters if they do. They certainly sell enough records, merchandise, etc. I give it up a thumbs up....I enjoy it. Hey, c'mon its new Kiss! Enjoy it while you can.... because they probably will retire in a few years! I don't think they will have an Alive/Worldwide Tour when they are 60.

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