Kiss
Anwar Hussein/Hulton Archive
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Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the '70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry ice, smoke bombs, elaborate lighting,... Read More
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AJ
August 17, 2009 - 09:18 PM GMT
These guys have a new one coming out in October called "Sonic Boom." It's Paul and Gene with style-free session guitarist Tommy Thayer and good 3rd drummer Eric Singer (depicted on the cover as clones of Ace and Peter), and what is being billed as an honest return to form.
After what? 30 years? They actually all wrote and performed with no one from the outside helping this time. Gene did all his basslines and Paul didn't call on prissy balladeers like Michael Bolton to write garbage for him. I am sure Tommy shows up on time on a dime, so no one needs to cover for Ace anymore. They're getting too old for this sort of thing
I loved KISS growing up because they were like Marvel superheroes singing about sex. And as I grew up, I appreciated the raunchy solos Ace could coax out of his Les Paul, and what Pete was doing beyond just keeping the beat. Owners Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were iconic,
The solo albums proved that Ace was actually a major force in the overall sound of KISS in the '70s. Just listen to what came later, and what he did as a solo artist afterward.
Eric Carr (RIP) was a fabulous drummer, as was/is Eric Singer. But the current attempt to duplicate the classic lineup still makes me nauseous. And now we have a new album by the old farts about...screwing? That's what KISS is about. No criticism 'til I listen, but I'm pessimistic.