My brother, age 9 in '78, was a KISS freak, somehow. I was 14 when the solo albums were released, not as big a fan, but since they played on a loop in our house and my brother and I shared a room, it was inevitable that I'd become a big fan.
Saw them twice in concert. No makeup, early 1990s, Deer Creek Music Center, Indianapolis, and they really, really sucked. Then later 1990s, in Binghamton (Ted Nugent opened for them), with the makeup back on and they ROCKED! Great show!
But back to the solo albums. Listening to them today on headphones at work, I've gotten through Paul Stanley's and Ace Frehley's. While there are a few decent tunes on Paul's, it's weighed down IMO by a bunch of sticky-sweet love songs that make this listener angry (I'm sure not the intent).
Ace's solo album is terrific top to bottom. Of course, everyone on BBI is familiar with his "hit" New York Groove, even if you didn't know it was from a KISS solo album. But I recommend listening to the rest of the record. Lots of good stuff, including the instrumental I linked.
Going to re-listen to Peter Criss's and Gene Simmons' solo albums either today or tomorrow. Just wanted to bring these back for some of you, and for others, give you a heads up, if interested.
Ace's solo album, really underrated. This song anchors it. - (
New Window )
On a related note, I recently made it through the full album of "The Elder." It is certainly bad, but mostly because it's boring. So it's not as hilariously awful as I hoped. There are some hilarious moments on it though (Paul's falsetto on "I am just a boooyyyy" or whatever song has the line about "you and I on wing-ed flight"...and a bunch of others).
That was nice thing about catching them in NY, Anton played the date. Scalped 2nd row tickets at the Beacon.
Anton live with Frehley's Comet - ( New Window )
Then and now, Ace’s solo was the only one I liked. His music with Frehley’s Comet was pretty good too.
As a band, I didn’t mind Lick It Up. Has some good tunes on it (Fits Like a Glove for example) and Creatures was a classic But Elder was terrible.
On a related note, I recently made it through the full album of "The Elder." It is certainly bad, but mostly because it's boring. So it's not as hilariously awful as I hoped. There are some hilarious moments on it though (Paul's falsetto on "I am just a boooyyyy" or whatever song has the line about "you and I on wing-ed flight"...and a bunch of others).
There are bands that did epic prog rock concept albums well. Rush for example.
However KISS was not one of those bands
I had no interest, though in the separate albums. I figured the Criss and Simmons ones wouldn't be worth listening to.
I've seen them live twice during their many farewell tours. Put on a good show.
For me the classics are Strutter, Love Gun, Lick it Up, Black Diamond, Cmon and Love Me, and I Stole Your Love.
For me the classics are Strutter, Love Gun, Lick it Up, Black Diamond, Cmon and Love Me, and I Stole Your Love.
Meant to also add that as a big KISS fan, I never liked any of the 4 solo albums. For me its full KISS or nothing.
Unfortunately, my parents and other relatives did not catch on quickly enough that I no longer liked KISS and I wound up with Destroyer and the Ace Frehley solo albums (which I traded) and eventually the double platinum album (got stuck with that one).
Quote:
You and Forever.
For me the classics are Strutter, Love Gun, Lick it Up, Black Diamond, Cmon and Love Me, and I Stole Your Love.
Meant to also add that as a big KISS fan, I never liked any of the 4 solo albums. For me its full KISS or nothing.
Anton Fig was the drummer on the Dynasty album, too.
I’ve always loved Ace’s best, just a straight up rocker.
Will Lee from Letterman’s band also played on some of Ace’s songs (Ozone, Wiped Out, I’m in Need of Love).
I never listened to Paul’s much back in the day, mostly because Hold Me, Touch Me is such garbage. But listening now on the whole I think the album is really good! It’s very much a mid 80s glam metal album, but came out 7 years ahead of its time.
And It’s Alright is the best song on any of the solo albums IMO.
Gene’s album could have been good but it’s sooooo overproduced. After listening to that album you can’t tell me Gene never did drugs; it’s a textbook example of what happens with too much cocaine and too much studio time. There’s like three ok tracks but even the ok ones have something stupid added that ruins them.
Peter’s is just hot trash. Funny that even Peter Criss didn’t want Peter Criss playing drums on his album.
Klassik 78 - ( New Window )
Axe's solo album rocked, and I dug Paul's.
Needless to say, that pisses Paul and Gene off.
Gene's solo album sucked.