Kiss – Rock and Roll Over – 1976
Rock and Roll Over is the first Kiss album so far that sounds like 70s rock. Smells like the front stoop of a roller rink. It’s the first time I’ve listened to Ace Frehley’s guitar and thought, “Shit, that guy can shred!”.
It’s that good.
Peter Criss is a monster on the drums here. Even the vocals finally fit. It’s terrific.
Look. There is a freaking cowbell on Calling Dr. Love. For god’s sake, what’s more 70s than that?
R&RO is a left turn away from the theatrirock of Destroyer. It’s a good time from the time you put the needle down. It’s really hard to pin down the best songs since the record spins at just over 30 minutes, never overstays it’s welcome and while just about every song is about the same thing: sex, girls, how great the guys are, it’s okay because I really want to pull out a bong, put on a tight t-shirt, bang my head and air guitar.
When I read that Hard Luck Woman was written for Rod Stewart I thought, well, duh. It sounds like a Maggie May ripoff. Like it was written for Every Picture Tells a Story but didn’t make the cut.
But, the thing is, it actually draws the line between Stewart and….wait for it……Guns N Roses.
There is no doubt in my mind that Izzy Stradlin and Slash listened to this record. It’s impossible, after hearing, not to think of Appetite for Destruction as Rock and Roll Over Part 2.
Yeah. You read that right.
Grade A+
A Side: Calling Dr. Love, Mr. Speed, Hard Luck Woman,
BlindSide” I Want You, Baby Driver, Love em & Leave em, Makin’ Love (Holy shit, Frehley is incredible)
DownSide: Nothing. Again. This is getting weird. Do i like Kiss?……..
