KISS
- Psycho Circus
by
Keavin Wiggins
Artist:
KISS
Title:
Psycho Circus
Label:Mercury
/ Polygram Release Date September 22, 1998
Tracks
Psycho Circus
Within
I Pledge Allegiance
Into The Void
We Are One
You Wanted The Best
Raise Your Glasses
I Finally Found
My Way
Dreaming
Journey Of 1,000
Years
In Your Face
We got our grubby
little hands on an advanced copy of the most anticipated new studio album
of the year. This disc was 19 years in the making, the last time the original
KISS members recorded together was for 1979s Dynasty, (although Peter
Criss is credited on Unmasked and appeared on the cover, the Drum tracks
were record by Anton Figg, best known for his work on Aces solo album
and his gig with David Lettermans band)
Was this Disc worth
the wait? You will have to decide for yourself when you hear it. I for
one think it was, I have been a KISS fanatic since 1978 when my mother
gave me Destroyer along with the Beatles Pepper for my 6th Birthday,
I have stuck with the band through it all. Line up changes, genre changes,
etc. So am I excited about the new album? you bet! Enuff of my ramblings
here is the review. This is only my first impression, I have not gotten
to know the songs very well. I have made this review as brief as possible
in an attempt to not spoil the surprise you will receive when you pop this
disc into your CD player in late September. ( I may write a more detailed
review after I listen to the CD a few hundred times, so check back in a
couple days.)
The first track and
single Psycho Circus is a heavy rocker with the hard edge put on classic
KISS sound delivered with a 90s attitude, and Paul has never sounded better,
this is a major hit if I have ever heard one. The guitars are raunchy,
the lyrics will not let you down. By far one of my favorite tracks on the
CD.
Ace takes command
for Into the Void, this song Kicks A**. The vocal melodies do however
sound rather similar to Dark Light. Never the less, It appears
Ace polished his song writing skills during the years away from KISS.
This is not another Torpedo Girl. It is more in-line with Shock me and
Rip it out, this tune will soon be a new KISS Classic. His guitar solos
are as fresh today as they have ever been. An added note, Ace's guitar
style through out Psycho Circus has really developed to the next level,
he demonstrates a much greater range than he presented back in the old
days.
You wanted the best
is a typical KISS Anthem, with all four members switching vocal responsibility.
The title sums up the song perfectly.
Gene really shines
on the mellower track We are one. His emotional vocals really carry this
song, it reminded me a lot of World with out heros in that respect, this
is not a typical Gene Simmons Rocker, it is instead a beautifully orchestrated
example of the diversity of Gene's talent and ability. This might be one
of his best songs ever, that is quite a statement considering the catalog
of music attributed to Gene.
Raise your glasses,
has a steady rock n roll back beat and riff, a powerful intro, and Paul
really struts his stuff with the vocals on this song. This song is another
example of the excellent writing talents of Mr. Stanley he never seems
to loose his touch for writing great music. Aces solo proves that the
Space Ace has what it takes to be the Rock n Roll superhero that he is
considered to be by millions.
I finally found my
way. Could KISS make an album without a Ballad? No way. This song
brings the man who gave KISS their biggest hit with Beth back to microphone.
Peter has not lost his touch, his deep Jazzy vocals are prevalent on this
track, blending nicely with the orchestrated back ground music, Peter is
really in his element singing ballads, and I finally found my way is a
perfect example. This CD gets better as you get farther into it.
The rest of the tracks
on this album are also great from Dreaming to Journey of a thousand years.
KISS still has it, after all these years if you want the best, you got
it
the Hottest band in the World
.KISS
Overall I would put
this Disc up there with Destroyer and Revenge it really showcases the talent
of these four guys in face paint. It proves once and for all KISS is not
all Flash with no substance. They are indeed the Kings of Rockin!
To
learn more visit the The Rock n World Artist Forum for KISS
You
can find the lyrics to the songs and art work news etc at Kissasylum.com
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