From: JackStar74@aol.com

Alright, I've read thru about 7 reviews and I've absolutly had it with some of you "fans." Before you do a review you should do some research and not some snowjob of quickly listening to the album. I've had this album for 3 weeks and the first time I listened to it, I made sure I did it with an open mind. Not expecting Rock and Roll Over Part 2, Not expecting Love Gun Part 2, not even expecting the next step from Carnival of Souls. I knew it was going to be totally different with Ace and Peter's input and from a producer who they never worked with before. So for the first listen, i sat there and just absorbed myself in the music, not doing anything to distract me from it. After it was over, I said, its not the best...but its the first album I can say I fully enjoyed all the way thru since Creatures of the Night. Better than any 80's album they did. Since then 3 weeks have passed and I must've listened to it at least 20 times and I LOVE IT MORE than when I first got it. Ok before I make this too long, here is my track by track review with the grade:

Psycho Circus: Intense opener with that eerie circus music. Very cool classic sounding KISS with a 90's edge. Paul plays the solo but I wonder if he SPLIT it(a la I Want You and I Stole Your Love) with Ace. Even so, great tune. Nice drumming by Pete. Definitely the concert opener. GRADE: A+

Within: Definitely a COS feel to this one, but coming off the heels of that album, what can you expect from Gene. He admits this was written during the time of COS. I wasn't too crazy about it when I first heard it, but it grew on me. I like it. I like the backwards guitars...Ace doing his Hard Times, being experimental. Grade: B

I Pledge Allegiance: Wow, a really cool Paul rocker. Classic sounding with a real nice solo courtesy of our Spaceman. Paul speaking from his heart about Rock and Roll. He's got balls not trying to come off intelligent. But writing about what he loves. Nice appearance by Holly Knight in the writing stage. She cowrote the classic "Hide Your Heart" with Paul. Very cool tune. Hopefully will be played live. Grade: A

Into the Void: ACE FUCKING RULES!!!! What can I say? Classic from the Spaceman. No, it may not be as good as Shock Me or Rocket Ride...sounds a bit like Insane, BUT, sounds BETTER than his solo stuff. A lot catchier than his solo tunes. I don't know if Ace plays all the guitars on this, due to the fact that he said Paul helped him work out the guitar parts(read this in the guitar world interview). Nice solo...a bit of "Love 'em and Leave 'em" in there. I would assume he's playing the basslines too, although it could be the demon also. All in all a kick ass tune and my favorite song on the album from my favorite KISS member. Grade: A+

We Are One: Ok, I know a lot of you people are put off by this song and that is understandable. But you have to relize, this guy was heavily influenced by the Beatles. It is very beatley and he is experimenting like in his solo album daze. I love this song and I love the harmonies. The lyrics are phenomenal. This is Gene's tribute to how the band feels about the fans when they see them in the audience wearing their heroes makeup and acknowledging the power we fans give to the band. The only thing that would've made it better is if Paul, Ace, and Peter sang the backup vocals on it making the title ring true. But it is Gene doing his best John Lennon. Another great tune. Tho I doubt it will be played live. Grade: A

You Wanted the Best: Not what I expected for this song to sound like. Its not the best melodic catchy classic Kiss song that Gene wanted it to be. Yes he wrote it. The trading off of the lines is awesome. They all sound great, especially Peter growling in his best "Black Diamond" vocal. But its, lame. I like it, but it's not what I expected. This should've been an Gene and Paul collaboration. Paul writes the better hooks. Great solo by Ace. Even though I'm not too happy with this song, I'd rather hear this live than "Rock and Roll All Nite." Grade: B-

Raise Your Glasses: Wow, definitely what I expected. A Flaming Youth rallying cry song celebrating the band. It has an '80's sound, probably due to Paul's collaboration with Holly Knight. But it kicks ass. Nice solo by Paul. He plays the solo on this...very cool hammer ons/pull offs. Like Ace, he does a lot with playing the repetitive single note. This has to be played live. Grade: A-

I Finally Found My Way: First of all, understand this. This song was NOT WRITTEN BY PETER CRISS. It was WRITTEN BY PAUL STANLEY AND BOB EZRIN for Peter to sing. This song has what "Beth" lacks, drums and some guitars, tho acoustic. I don't mind the piano either(btw Bob plays the Hammond B3 organ on this). Too many strings tho. Doing too much of Phil Spector. I wouldn't mind some strings at all but this has too much. There should've been an acoustic solo by Ace, but that didn't happen. It's not a bad song for Peter. His vocal sounds superb in fact and the beautiful harmony on the bridge with Paul where they sing falsetto. Nicely done. Overall a nice song. I'd rather hear this than "Beth" live for a change and I hope they break out the acoustic guitars for this...no backing tape please. Grade: B

Dreamin': Paul's collaboration with Bruce Kulick has a bit of a dark edge to it. Definitely a song that could be on his solo album but with a darker edge, a nineties feel to it. Not my favorite on the album, but not a bad song at all. Very strong effort. Definitely would be stronger live and with Ace's presence. Grade: B+

Journey of 1000 Years: Very psychedelic song with swirling George Martinesque strings. Gene dropping acid? I don't think so. I like to think this is his "I am the Walrus." This song grew on me very quickly. One thing about Gene is that he did NOT use a collaborator on any of these released tracks. He's trying to prove a point at how diverse he can write and he comes across as a more brilliant lyricist than we believe him to be. Of course the critics will tell me how I'm full of shit, but when you set out to write a KISS album and you intend to NOT write about sex, the songs seem to come across more mature and definitely intelligent. The Demon as grown and matured(but he's still lord of the wasteland and will fuck anything that moves LOL). I love this song. I don't see how they could do this live..but I want it. Grade: A+

My closing statements in regarding the album: I'm sure I screwed up on some of my FACTUAL information so please don't flame me for being wrong. But from day one the Demon said that there will be no songs about sex. They wanted to create an album that stated how they feel about their fans and themselves. A celebration of the band upon its SILVER ANNIVERSARY. I Will go out on a limb and say that in my most humble opinion this the best album they have created since Love Gun. Call me crazy....but well that's what I am for I am a member of the KISS ARMY!

OVERALL GRADE: A+
One special note of thanks to a special lady in connecticut, who, if it weren't for her, I would not have the pleasure of enjoying this phenomenal piece of kisstory so soon ;)

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