Paul Stanley – 1978
The biggest problem with putting out a Paul Stanley solo record in 1978 versus Gene Simmons is that Simmons is not a musician. He’s a salesman. Stanley actually comes across as a musician. He would have done it no matter what. He would have ended up in Ratt or LA Guns or some band like Bandit. Gene would have sold designer jeans on the street to make a buck.
So, it’s no wonder that there are no surprises on the Paul Stanley record. He’s the chief songwriter in Kiss. (You can deny this and tell me that Gene is an equal but I would disagree on that and point to any Stanley song as a better work than Gene’s any day) So, nothing on this record doesn’t sound like Kiss.
Without Ace Frehley there just aren’t that many great lead licks. Other than that, it’s not like Kiss had any real musical identity to begin with. And any of these songs could sit on any Kiss record and you would never know the difference.
So, as a Solo record it’s piffle. As a Kiss record, though, how is it?
The worst so far. That doesn’t mean its as awful as Gene Simmons. Some of it is quite good. “Tonight You Belong to Me” is a fine Kiss-y opener. And “Wouldn’t You Like To Know Me” is as good a power pop track as Rick Springfield would put out 3 years later.
The rest is forgettable filler.
Grade C
ASide: Wouldn’t You Like To Know Me, AIn’t Quite Right
BlindSide: No surprises on this disc
Down Side: Hold Me Touch Me
