From: Jeremy Miller

First off let me say that this is album is not what I expected from KISS, but that is not to say that it's bad, just a little different. First a song by song and then an overall and comments.

Psycho Circus-Very strong opener, both for the album and the new tour. Strong vocals from Paul, nice bridge leading into solo, but unlike a lot of others reviews this is not my favorite, and I don't see it as strong choice for a single, great cut though. B+

Within-Some say the demon doesn't appear on this album. Well IMO he's right here, although in a moment of calm reflection. Gene really impressed me with the maturity in his writing on COS and it continues here. An excellent song and another B+

Pledge-Hey, a statement from Paul that he's a rock star and he's damn happy to be so. A great feel to this tune, sort of an anthem wanna be, but I've heard it from KISS to many times. C+

Void-Sounds like Frehley's Comet may have sounded if they could have afforded top notch production and support. Strong vocal and guitar work from Ace, although I've never really cared for his voice that much. Much like pledge though this song suffers a little from weak lyrics, never an Ace strong point, but it does have that Ace coolness, and a ripping solo.B-

We Are One-An acoustic based little rocker that sounds similar to something on Gene's solo album, and once again I'm impressed. It seems where most were trying to stay uniform to the former KISS sound, Gene experimented a little and it worked very well. One of favorites and a good choice for a single, as I believe this would fit a lot of radio formats. A+

YWTB-KISS trying to immortalize themselves in song, and it just doesn't work at all. Terrible lyrics, I mean some of the cheesiest crap I've ever heard. The music isn't bad, a pretty good jam with a strong Ace solo. But this doesn't cut it at all. What the hell were they thinking? D

Raise-Pauls strongest song on this album and it's a gem. This would have been my first pick for a single as you just can't get the melody or the lyrics out of your head. Awesome vocals, strong lyrics, and although it's a little Crazy Night's sounding in a way, it works so much better that anything on that album. A+

Finally-Peters spotlight on the album and not a bad one. I would have rather heard Peter do a more modern sounding ballad with more acoustic work and less orchestration, like Pauls I Will Be There from COS, but this is decent. It's kinda nice to here Peter croon again even if the song is a little weak. Nice harmony part with Paul on the bridge.B-

Dreamin-A song from Paul that recalls his solo albums work. Great vocal, Paul seems to just keep getting better in this department. Strong melody,which is another one of Paul's strong points. I really like this one and it seems to be growing on me more with each listen. The albums sleeper. A

Journey-A really cool way to end the album, and another strong cut from Gene. I'm now wishing he would have at least one more on this album. His singing voice hasn't suffered any, and he's alot better than given credit for in this department. The bridge is the same as Psycho but done with orchestration, very cool...A-

And now an overview. This is not as the KISS album I thought we would get, it's not real vintage sounding although there are hint's of the original sound all over the place, they our updated and fresh. I'm very impressed. Gene shines on this album. He has really expanded his writing and seems to have grown the most as a musician. Pauls sound and writing are what you would expect from him but stronger than in recent years, although I liked his COS writing which seemed to grow up some, it's Paul pre-COS, but stronger. Nice to hear an Ace solo in a KISS tune again, wish there has more of his riffing here though, my biggest gripe is his lack of playing, his style is just awesome. Peter is strong on his only vocal, and I believe he drums on most of the album, though not all of it as Gene songs sound like they use some sort of sequencer or drum machine if you will. Hey, it's KISS, we ask for we it, and we got more than this guy expected, I am very pleased. Thank You Gene Paul Peter and Ace.

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