From: Cory Wilson

The more I listen to Psycho Circus the more I like it. The first time I listened to it, I thought "that was different." After that I started liking it. I don't think you can compare it with any other KISS album period. Sure, it sounds different. You take 4 guys that haven't played together in 18 years and it will sound different. These guys have played with and been influenced by other musicians over the last 18 years. I'll give Ace, Peter, Paul, and Gene credit, atleast they didn't just spit out a 70's revival album full of demon lust and carnage to please the fans. In fact this album has no sexual innuendo on it, which is kind of cool in its own way. It's 4 almost 50 year old guys looking back over their careers and their reunion and saying "Fuckin A, We made IT!"

It's a very loud album. The mix is squeeky clean. It'll rock live where it'll be much rawer.

We have to look at KISS as a contemporary band not just a 70's band. As far as music and albums go in the 90's, Psycho Circus flat rocks. I'll take this over any alternative(to rock) anytime. Some of it's internal, some of it is party music.

I have no idea who played on the record, it's so layered and tuned that anyone could have played on it. I do know who will play it live though!!! KISS has always been a better live band. In the 70's KISS wouldn't have made it on the merits of KISS, Hotter Than Hell, or Dressed to Kill. Alive! put them across.

It's funny, Psycho Circus is anything but a Psycho Circus. Gene's his tamest here. It's like his tongue got caught in a vice-grip. I like it though, and I'll take it. Being the meglomaniac Gene is, I'm surprised it wasn't full of demon-like songs. Ace is the heart of this band, and I didn't hear enough of him. I like the "Rocket Ride" licks in "Into the Void" though.

I really like the 70's KISS full of "cock rock" and party anthems, but I like a mature KISS to. I like the fact that they can do something like Psycho Circus. I'm not saying I want another one though. If Gene goes back to showing Christine Sixteen his Love Gun, I'd be happy.

Songs:

PSYCHO CIRCUS: cool intro, welcome to the first song of the concert WITHIN: backwards gee-tar..gotta love that. Simply ok, not great. Needs some twisted demon lyrics. I can't see Gene in makeup singing this. ok..

STATE OF ROCK AND ROLL: Gene and Paul have bashed the "state" of rock and roll with all it's negative alternacrap leanings. Why would they pledge allegiance to that. A little too slick on the album, maybe it'll rock live. It's above average. I like it, but it doesn't make me want to get up and stomp on someone.

INTO THE VOID: You can't beat Ace. There just isn't that soaring guitar sound on this album. More Ace would have done it wonders. I wonder if Gene and Paul are afraid to give over a little control?

WE ARE ONE: My favorite song on the album. Not because it's a great KISS song, but because it's a great song. It's the Beatles. i love it when Gene sings about looking out and seeing his face staring back at him. This song could be a single and be surprising. YOU WANTED THE BEST: Yes I did, but this isn't it. It's good though. This whole album is KISS 1998. I appreciate that, that they can move on.

RAISE YOUR GLASSES: What kinda KISS fan drinks out of a glass? It'd be better as "BOTTOMS UP." Let Ace loose with a good drinking song and he'll bring you Cold Gin, Paul just brings you a song about conquering and winning. It's ok...but it sounds like a commercial jingle. Maybe Paul should "RAISE HIS READING GLASSES" and look at this song. I'd be putting that glass down and topping it off if I were him.

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY TO YOU: Very produced, and I love it. More Beth than anything. I always thought "HARD LUCK WOMAN" was a better song than BETH though. Of the 3 I like this one. Peters voice is much better. As on their 96 tour, all their playing and singing is better.

DREAMIN': wohhhhh ohhhh tears are fallin.........ok, smacked of Kulick...not that that's bad. ok....damn, it seems like I've said ok a lot.

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS: No, just 18. And it's good to have KISS back. I do wonder though what the songs they cut off this album sounded like. Must have been "I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA" or something like that. what they did cut was a lot of Ace or so I've heard. they rejected some of Peter's material.

As an album I love it, it's a concept album. It's the concept that 50 year old guys can reunite and put makeup on and run across stage infront of 20,000 people everynight. I'll give them credit for ambition. Atleast they haven't brought back Vinnie Vincent yet..

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