From: Thunderob@aol.com

First off, I want to explain that I have been a huge Kiss fan for 24 years. As a teen, I lived, ate, breathed, wore, loved Kiss. What a ride it was!!!! And I am one of those die-hards that believe that Kiss first stopped being old Kiss After Love Gun. Although I loved Carr and Kulick, it was a different band, and not true Kiss. I also believe the nineties (Revenge, III, COS) was not ever close to Kiss, the rock and roll roots were gone. I, as all true Kiss fans were, was excited about this new disc, Psycho Circus. BUTTTTTTT, unlike some of you, I knew that there was no way they could ever recreate the sound of 21 years ago, it just wasn't possible. This disc, if it is to be acceptable, would have to stand up on it's own. With that my review. Based on a scale of 1-10:

Psycho Circus: From "YEAHHHHHHHHH!" right on through this is great, obvious to be the tour's lead song. Paul's vocals, Ace's guitar both very strong. Give it a 10!!

Within: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! COS retrieved!!! Actually, if it was on COS, it would have been my fave on the disc, but I DESPISED COS, so that doesn't say much. Not as depressing, good background, it's a 7.

I pledge: Good solid kick!!! Paul is sharp, guitar is in your face, lyrics are good, solo is great, got to be a 9!

Into the void: If there is any song that it could be on the 70's disc, this is it. The moment you hear Ace's guitar, it takes you straight back to the old days. I have never been big on Ace's vocals, but it was so good to hear them on a Kiss disc again! Good solid 8.

We are one: Let me start off by saying I cannot remember what the last song I truly loved from Gene, but it's been a looooooong time. Yes, this one is more commercial, but the chorus is great, and it is now stuck in my head!!! Definitely a 9!

Raise your glasses: Okay, Paul can write more pop sounding tunes, but if you look throughout the Kiss years this is nothing new, and there is nothing wrong with it! It may be a little glossy, but it is still great. I give it a 9!

You wanted the best: Okay, so how many years have they tried to make this title a song??? They probably could have waited another year or two to get it right. The music is very good, and the concept of four singers is great, but the lyrics and the chorus are weak. If it wasn't for the guitar riffs, this would be the weakest song on the disc. Music gets a 9, lyrics a 4, give it a 6.5.

Finally found: I think my problem with this song is that it sounds soooooo unconnected from the rest of the album. It just doesn't fit. If you can put that aside, it is a really good song. It really would work better on a Peter Criss solo, but it is a great song. The only questions here: Can true Kiss fans really listen to it, and will it get ignored by the radio stations for being so unkiss like? It's an 8.

Dreamin: I still love you? Eighteen? Magic Touch? This is one from the Eric Carr era. Good song, Paul is what makes this song. His vocals make it happen. However, with finally found probably the soft song on the tour it probably won't make the reportoire. 8.5

Journey: Could have fit right onto the Elder, love the accoustic! strange song to end the album with, but still a good song overall. Give it a 7.5

Overall, Psycho Circus probably is the best album since Creatures and as a whole album, would put it since Love gun. Now, that does not mean it makes the top three list, but definitely in the top ten. In the eighties, Kiss did a real good job of putting out three song albums, meaning they would get three songs that were good (Usually Paul's) and then put a lot of never-to-be-heard from again tunes, Creatures the only exception to the eighties list. This is by far and away the most complete album in a loooooong time. And this disc blows the doors off all their poor attempts in the 90's.

Two other notes on here. As I was reading review notes, I noticed that a lot of you are downgrading the disc because Ace, Gene,Peter don't play on all the tunes. As memory serves, not since Alive has that been the case, and there are three very good albums included on that list. Granted, the four probably played more on the 76-78 albums than this one, but please do not discount the album because of that.

Second, and more importantly, get off Bruce Fairbairn's back!!! Crying out loud, fans O Kiss, he trash heaped a bunch of songs because of their content (or lack thereof). Can you imagine dealing with all four of them (especially $Gene$) and their differences on a day in, day out basis? This album does not have any "X in Sex" lyrics (Thank God!!!), is very strong throughout the whole album, and almost totally (within slipped through!) got rid of the dreaded COS virus, the WORST KISS ALBUM EVER MADE!!! I give Fairbairn a medal for returning Kiss to where it should be, on top of the music world.

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