By 1977, KISS were on top of the world after finally breaking big just two years prior. While some members were starting to show some signs of burnout, others began to really flourish musically. "Love Gun" was released at the apex of KISS' studio outputs in terms of popularity. This was also the time they were marketed in everything from comic books,action figures and lunchboxes to your very own KISS radio. However, does the album suffer from burnout? Or is the music still just as good as the image of the band? Track List
1.I Stole Your Love-My all time favorite KISS song! The main riff is so good and its really a great album opener with grrat verses and a powerhouse chorus. The production it seemed that Kramer went more bass and drum heavy with the snare really standing out in this one. A perfect opener in my eyes.
2.Christine Sixteen-A great little pop rock number that you...probably couldn't write today. Love the touch of Piano in the background as well. This one is very much in the vein of classic early KISS.
3.Got Love For Sale-A great sleazy rocker and one where Genes voice really shines. This is one where the bass really sounds forward in the mix and I dont mind it as it gives the song a bit of a heavier edge. Another powerful Chorus here as well and the album is three for three.
4.Shock Me- And finally, Ace is giving his time fully in the spotlight on vocals. This song just screams coolness. Aces swaggering vocals may not be as developed as they would be on his solo album and later KISS songa but dammit its still a great song. His solo really is amazing as well as the memorable as hell riff.
5.Tomorrow and Tonight-KISS delivers another throwback rocker with a very bubblegum rock feel similar to a band like The Sweet. A simple but fun tune
6.Love Gun-An awesome title track. I love the busier bassline here and the solo kicks ass. This is a song thats made for a live setting.
7.Hooligan- Very similar in style and structure as "Baby Driver" from the previous album. This one however doesn't hit as hard or is as memorable personally.
8.Almost Human- One of the hidden gems on this album. A really heavy riff with some good shuffled drumming with Simmons vocals sounding exceptional. It sounds so different from anything they had done before even with almost a psychadelic kind of vibe.
9.Plaster Caster-One of the bands best straight head rockers with some really heavy bass and a good sleazy feel to it.
10.Then She Kissed Me- This is the song that absolutely falls flat for me though. It just has a very generic feel and isnt a great closer. Just kinda leaves the album on a stale note.
Overall I give this album an 8.5 out of 10. Besides one clunker, this is a fun solid hard rock album and KISS knew it as they went out all through 77/78 and toured relentlessly culiminating in what I feel is their best live album...ALIVE II. This would however be the last full studio album with all 4 original members as burn out would slowly settle in.
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