KISS Retrospective part 20:Carnival of Souls The Final Sessions(1997)

KISS were starting to decline after their 92/93 tour wasn't as big as they had hoped. Grunge by this point had taken over the world and Gene wanted to essentially give this kind of sound more of a go. Paul was not hugely keen on the idea but decided to as well. While the writing for this album commenced, the band would host large KISS conventions and even do Unplugged performances where Ace and Peter would join for a few songs. At this point the writing was on the wall: A reunion tour was going to happen. Paul and Gene decide that the album release would be put on hold while they did this major tour and come back afterwards with their new darker sound. However, this reunion ignited the classic lineup of KISS and made the record company weary of the album coming out. Basically, once bootlegs started to come out, they just threw it on the shelves with no promotion and that was it. No tours, nothing. This would be the final album of the nonmakeup years and Bruces true finale with the band and it went nearly completely unheard. However, with this still being an official studio release, the albim deserves another glance.

Track List

1.Hate-Right away, this album smacks you with this lower tuned dryer almost doomy sound. The band took those aspects from "Revenge" and amplified them. I really like this one the riffs are really heavy and Genes voice really fits it well.

2.Rain-I love the almost Alice In Chains feel here especially in Pauls voice I like when he uses his lower register a bit more. I also like when he releases his voice more through the simple chorus with some nice string bends.

3.Master & Slave- This is my favorite song on the album with its heavy bass oriented groove. The chorus is pretty catchy as well. I like that Bruces solos all over this album too rely on creating an atmosphere than displaying technicality its a bit different and fresh.

4.Childhoods End-This one has this more melodic yet depressing feel to it that works in parts and falls flat at 9ther moments. I really like the cleaner guitars for how sharp they are but Genes voice could us a bit of reverb to give a bit of depth to it. The chorus is something reallt different it takes a few listens to get used to. The creepy kid like chorus near the end is an interesting addition as well.

5.I Will Be There-A darker acoustice driven track that Paul sounds a bit more tune with to his style. I really like the guitars throughout but it runs just a bit too long. Overall not bad.

6.Jungle- I love groove on this one with the really heavy bass being a major highlight. The chorus also has a big feel to it thwt makes this one stand out as well. It does again, last a bit too long almost going for a more psychadelic vibe to it toward the end but it isn't bad overall.

7.In My Head-This is where the album starts to feel a bit repetitive with the overaly slow chugging feel. Its not a bad track and doesn't overstay its welcome though.

8.It Never Goes Away- Another very doomy track that actually feels alot like something Dio might have done on "Strange Highways". This is one of the beat songs on the second half of the album for sure.

9.Seduction of the Innocent-This is very different sounding for KISS with almost a dark middle eastern musical influence. Think KISS doing Godsmacks "Voodoo" and you are pretty close. Besides the more atmospheric solo, it doesn't hit as hard.

10.I Confess-I almost get a 90s Ozzy vibe from the intro of this one with a dark atmosphere to it. This track is a bit of a slog as it doesn't change a ton throughout. It lasts on these softer dark verses that seem to take awhile to get going.

11.In The Mirror-This one feels a bit more upbeat but the production feels a bit flat. If the guitars were up front a bit more this would be a juggernaut of a tune. It just doesn't quite reach the potential it could have had.

12.I Walk Alone-And for the final song, this one hits a bit of a more creative stride with Kulicks vocals and alot of reverse tracking in parts.  It takes a but to get going but its got a good flow to it. Not a bad ending track.

Overall, this album gets a 6 out of 10. Its an album where when KISS gets a good song out of this formula its a pretty damn good song. However, they are too far and few between and the album mostly melts together and overstays its welcome. It just doesn't work exactly as a KISS album per say. This would have had potential if it was a side project like if they reversed the name to SSIK or something to a wink and a nod to the members. But, in the end, it didn't really matter as the album did nothing to tarnish the band nor promote them. Ace and Peter were back and a new reunion album was now in the works...sort of.

KISS Retrospective part 19:ALIVE III(1993)

Aa the "Revenge" tour started to wrap up, the band decided it had been long enough since they released a live album since the epic "Alive II". This would be the only live album from the non makeup era not counting the unplugged one. It would also be the first of theirs to reuse songs that were featured on previous live albums. 

We get off to a very strong start with "Creatures of the Night" and the band is on full force here. Even though it is quite bittersweet personally that Eric Carr is not included, Eric Singer proves his worth as a very tight competent player esepecially adding his tight fills to a lot of the classic songs. I do wish we got more representation from the 80s records deeper cuts but its still a solid setlist nonetheless. Bruce Kulick especially is a major highlight throughout with his added flair to some of the classic songs like "Deuce" and "Detroit Rock City" but still stsying very true to what made Aces solos work so well. His sort of tribute to Hendrix in the ending version of "the star spangled banner" is a pretty cool touch as well.

Overall, I give this live album a competent 8 out of 10. While I would have liked some songs in place of the usuals, what we get is still pretty solid and this version of the band is one of the best musically. Personally. This is where the KISS live albums kind of stop for me as ALIVE IV was not my cup of tea and live albums with orchestras are not a big thing for me so I am a bit biased in that aspect. This and ALIVE II are definitely my favorites however and the band would decide to keep with this line up as they worked on their "Carnival Of Souls' record but as the reunion became a huge deal in 96', that album would become one that never got the reach it should have and that is exactly where we will pick up. 

KISS Retrospective part 18:Revenge(1992)

After Eric Carr was diagnosed with Cancer, Eric Singer who had previously played in Pauls solo band along many other greats, joined until Carr could play again. Unfortunately through the recording of their next album, Carr would pass away and Singer would officially be the drummer of KISS. The band lost a massive part of what made alot of their 80s outputs so powerful but with the release of "Revenge" in '92, the band made it clear they had to fight on and even dedicated the album to Carr. This is my favorite album Ezrin produced as it sonically is so much better than the album before it. The band also went a bit darker to combat the onslaught of Grunge at the time.

Track List

1.Unholy-The album gets off on a very heavy start with a sinister rocker thats all Gene. This song reaply brings that feeling of the Demon with Genes super gruffy vocals. The chorus also is simple.and catchy bit with that heavy oomph from the bass up in the mix. The slick production really helps boost the guitars here as well.

2.Take It Off-This is a great sleazy rocker that I would love to have heard live. The riffs are big and Paul still sounds terrific. Its a song that wouldve fit on their 80s albums but its got a heavier 90s feel to it.

3.Tough Love-I really like the verses on this song as they have this kind of 90s alternative feel to them. The chorus however feels like its missing a lot of energy and is a bit generic. Its a song where 50% is good and 50% is a bit forgettable 

4.Spit-This song has a bit more energy with a more zeppelin-esque feel too. It speeds up in the middle too which is a nice surprise but it doesn't last as much ad I wish it did. Overall, not great but not bad.

5.God Gave Rock N Roll To You II-This is the most well known song on the album. Its a reoworked cover that honestly more people probably know than the original by Argent. Its got a great huge chorus and a real nice upbeat vibe. The video in particualr features the last ever performance of Carr as Singer played on the track but was not in the video. Because of this, the song will always be felt as a tribute to him and its a great one.

6.Domino-This one has a realoy heavy ACDC feel to it and is a bit cheesy but very fun. Its another song thats total Gene and he kills it. The solo for this one really is a highlight too.

7.Heart Of Chrome-This is a heavier mid tempo track that realoy embraces the more 90s rock feel KISS are going for. Its got more sinister riff and the chorus has a pretty good hook to it.

8.Thou Shall Not-This is my favorite song on the album and one of KISS' heaviest. Bruce really rips it up on the solo as well. This one I catch myself headbanging to when i listen to it as Gene vocally goes for the throat. The guitars are also super crunchy as well.

9.Everytime I Look At You-This is a generic ballad that really never feels like its going anywhere. Its nicely produced but I dont really ever feel the need to go back to it.

10.Paralyzed-This one definitely screams early 90s with a bit of that 80s KISS feeling in its structure. The lower tuning and Gene almost sounding a bit Rob Zombie-ish give it that slick 90s edge. Not a bad tune.

11.I Just Wanna-Another Paul song that echoes a bit of "Summertime Blues" mixed with "Uh! All Night". Its a decent rocker and fun and catchy enough to please live crowds which it did when it was released.

12.Carr Jam 1981-Finally, we have an unreleased jam Carr did with Frehley back in 81 with an incredible drum solo that I wish lasted longer. Kulick overdubbed his playing over Ace's which is the only real edit done to the track. A great tribute to the Fox.

Overall, the album gets an 7.5 out of 10. This album was a huge improvement over the last with a heavier feel and a tighter tracklisting. Carr is sorely missed but Singer definitely shows his worth. While there are a few duds, theres enough to like to warrant a listen once in awhile. The album wasn't a huge seller but was enough for the band keep afloat and a decent tour for it. However, the band would dive deep into the Grunge sound as the rumblings of a reunion of the original members was beginning to shake the ground.

KISS Retrospective part 17:Hot In the Shade(1989)

After touring heavily through 1988, KISS went back into the studio in the summer of 89 to record their final album to ring out the 80s. Aiming for a more stripped back sound, the presence of keyboards has been forgotten here and with 15 songs you'd thing the band were hitting some pretty creative highs. However, this is one of the main problems with the album:it sounds like a band fatigued with a flat production and flatter writing.

Track List

1.Rise To It-Opening with some nice slide guitar which is a nice addition, this is an okay opener. Right away you can tell how much flatter this album sounds compared the the last three or four albums. Everything feels a bit too blended with eachother. The chorus is nice but feels a bit tired.

2.Betrayed-The energy on this one is pretty nice but the verses feel a bit underwhelming. Gene sounds his weakest here out of all the 80s albums. Again, a nice simple chorus but would hit harder if the production was amped up more.

3.Hide Your Heart-This is the first song on the album that I quite like with some catchy segements and the chorus, as generic as it is with the chanting, it definitely is made for a live setting.

4.Prisoner Of Love-I like the rhythm of this one but I wish the drums just sounded a tad bigger. Genes vocals work a little better on this one with a nice swagger to it. Simple but a hidden gem here.

5.Read My Body-This one feels like a track left all the way back from the "Animalize" album. The lead guitar feels buried here which is a shame as Bruce gives a damn good solo. A bit of a forgettable song honestly. It feels incomplete in parts.

6.Love's A Slap In The Face-This is personally one of my least favorite KISS songs just for how bored it sounds. I know there were some tracks that used electronic drums which, when you have Eric fucking Carr, makes no sense. Anyways, it definitely feela like they used them here. The chorus literally repeats what "hide your heart" did. Bruces leads however sound a little bit more vicious here.

7.Forever-Easily the best and most well known song here. This was KISS biggest hit since "Beth" and it deserves it. Kulicks acoustic solo is great and is something different for the band that works great here. The chorus is huge and gets stuck in your head as well. KISS, especially in the 80s, knew how to write great ballads.

8.Silver Spoon- This one has a good energy to it with Pauls vocals sounding great throughout. Its catchy and the instrumentation sounds better than on most of the album. Bruces solo is still a bit buried in the mix but its a great solo still.

9.Cadillac Dreams-KISS almost steal a bit out of Aerosmiths playbook on this track with the horn section which I love. This is a fun track with a good rhythm to it you could dance to easily.

10.King Of Hearts-This is a great melodic rocker with that good 80s pounding rhythm to it. It builds to the chorus nicely with some nice walking bass in the pre chorus. This song probably has the beat solo from Bruce on the album as well.

11.The Street Giveth and The Street Taketh Away- Featuring Tommy Thayer on electroacoustic guitar, this one is very middle of the road for me. It just feels very generic structure wise.

12.You Love Me To Hate You-This isn't a bad track though if it sounded a little bigger it would benefit from it. Pauls low vocals are a nice addition but again it feels a bit tired.

13.Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell-This is a slower tune with with some nice riffing but again it sounds a bit tired. Luckily the last two tracks pick up.a bit.

14.Little Caesar-I like the blusier feel on this one but the real draw is that finally FINALLY Eric Carr gets to sing on a studio track. After showing live that he has the voice, we finally get it here. Its a little bittersweet as a lot of material Eric and Bruce had was heavily cut. Check out Eric's album "Rockology" for what happened with alot of these songs. 

15.Boomerang-The bands one of their most tired albums with a banger and one that lets Eric and Bruce fly freely. I really wish the drums sounded like they did on "Asylum" though as they still feel a bit pushed back still. Still this is one of the highlights on the album.

Overall, this album gets a 5.5 out of 10. This is easily my least favorite KISS album for just how tired and flat it sounds. Its too oversaturated with mediocre songs which makes it  a slog to get through. There are some gems here and there but its mostly forgettable. If this album had a bigger sound i think it would be remembered at least a little fonder. The band toured heavily in 1990 on the album but this would be the end of an era. Eric Carr would be diagnosed with cancer and in 1991, one of my favorite drummers would pass away leaving behind a damn good legacy. Eric Singer would officially take the job as the band would move onto the next album in an ever changing music scene.

KISS Retrospective part 16:Crazy Nights(1988)

In 1987, Glam Metal was reaching fever pitch with bands like Bon Jovi and Whitesnake hitting extreme highs that would define their careers. Paul wanted his "Slippery When Wet" moment with the bands next record badly. He finally pulled Gene back in so his half assed writing would stop hindering the quality of their albums. They even pulled producer Ron Nevison who worled with many bands to get this album sounding as big as ever. While this album was not their biggest seller nor as big as those mentioned before, it is my favorite of the non makeup year albums and one of my favorite KISS albums period!

Track List

1.Crazy Nights-The most well known song on the album and it its 80's pop metal excellence. Its got a simple main riff but its definitely top tier arena rock with a simple shout along chorus and a good time feeling to it.

2.I'll Fight Hell To Hold You-This is the first song to show that keyboards are definitely creeping into this album but they fill the sound out great. This is a great mid tempo rocker with another ear worm of a chorus. Bruce also nails the soloing here. This album is is and Eric Carrs for the abundance of wild yet tight and precise solos and Eric playing his heart out. 

3.Bang Bang You-Another mid tempo more sleazy rocker. I love the pre chorus here it gets you in the mood for the simple yet fun chorus. Another great tune meant for the arenas of the 80s.

4.No, No, No-The most energetic track and definitely Bruces centerpiece he is all over the place here. Gene even sounds great and the bass sounds a bit grittier in the mix as well. 

5.Hell Or High Water-One of my favorites and another absolute ear worm. Its got a great build to it as well. You can't not sing to this one its so catchy.

6.My Way-The most keyboard driven song on the album that it almost rivals Van Hagar at the time. Its a great up beat track though. The production is great with some very rich keyboard sounds giving the band an over the top melodic edge that no album had to this point.

7.When Your Walls Come Down- Another harder rocker that I would love to hear live. It isn't as over the top but its a fun simple rocker.

8.Reason To Live-My favorite track on the album. Pure made for radio melodic rock at its finest. The chorus is so up beat and its honestly a great uplifting song. Its also one of my favorite KISS songs. Bruce's solo has some great emotion to it as well as the softer verses it works so well.

9.Good Girl Gone Bad-This is probably my least favorite track on the album. Its still not bad at all the chorus just doesn't have as much power as some of the others. I still enjoy it quite a bit it just doesn't hit the same as the rest of the album.

10.Turn On the Night-Paul brings a bit of power back. I know I sound like a broken record but this record is just that good to me. I love the heavier emphasis on the poo rock feeling. It captures an era thats long gone today when bands sounded alot more fun and were cheesy as hell and everyone loved it.

11.Theif In the Night-This is a great closer it reallt nails the hook in the chorus. Its another super simple mid tempo rocker but Genes voice sounds great and the build to chorus is great too.

Overall, this album is a 9.5 for me easily out of 10. The band really hit a high point of their 80s career I think with this album. It toally fit in with what everyone else was doing at the time. The band did a huge world tour throughout 1988 and even played the Monsters of Rock festival as well showing just how big they managed to still be. They still would have one more album to pull out of their perhaps second most famous line up very soon ending the 80s on a high, yet bittersweet note.

KISS Retrospective part 15:Asylum(1985)

Into 1985 and KISS with another lineup changed kept the train rolling with yet another album. The band was in the middle of the decade where new bands were popping up on literally every street corner. They had to continue to provide big powerful songs to make everyone know they were still a force to be reckoned with. Luckily with "Asylum" the song quality is a bit better than that of "Animalize".

Track List

1.King Of the Mountain-This is a great opener with Eric Carr opening up on the drums right from the start. Bruce Kulick has a great solo as well and you can tell he and eric really gelled as musician. Pauls voice is still just as strong here as well this would definitely be a great show opener.

2.Any Way You Slice It-This is one of Genes better songs from thr non makeup years as it doesn't sound as generic. Its got more power and its got a pretty good hook as well.

3.Who Wants To Be Lonely-This song has a really good melody in the chorus that would be a very prominent sound on "Crazy Nights". Its another simple yet catchy AOR type tune.

4.Trail By Fire-This is a great tune that has almost an ACDC type groove to it. Its got some great pop vibes to it especially in the vocal harmonies.

5.I'm Alive-KISS ratchet up the speed with an absolute barnstormer. Pauls soaring vocals, Erics pounding drums and Bruce showing why he is such an underrated guitar hero is all so prominent here.

6.Love's A Deadly Weapon-"I'm Alive" slides almost seemlessly into this song which is another break neck speed metal cut. Gene sings on this one which adds a bit of gruff to it. Bruce's solo is the major highlight where he really gets the spotlight as the other only guitar during the solo.

7.Tears Are Falling-This is the more hit off the album that kept KISS in heavy MTV rotation. Its got a great feel and the chorus has a very big sound to it. Its tracks like this why I love 80s rock so much.

8.Secretly Cruel-This one has a bit of that old school KISS feel to it and its a decent tune. Definitely not a highlight but for a b side its pretty decent.

9.Radar For Love-This one has a heavier bluesy feel to it i like. The chorus also has a great swagger to it that makes it more memorable as well.

10.Uh! All Night-This is such an amazing 80s feel good song. Its simple, cheesy abd very over the top bu that damn chorus. It is so catchy. It reminds me of the beastie boys "you gotta fight for your right" a little and it definitely isn't a bad thing. 

Overall, the album gets an 8.5 out of 10. This is one of 80s KISS' most solid albums. The band is slowly becoming a solid unit once again with Bruce being the shot in the arm the band needed in terms of a team player. The band would tour strictly America for this album to absolutely make a stamp on their home turf. KISS were finally hitting high points they were feeling in 78 and unlike then those times would continue to flourish now.

KISS Retrospective part 14:Animalize(1984)

After hiring on new gun Mark St. John, KISS shot back into the studio to capitalize on their rising fortunes once again. Producing themselves, "Animalize" would further solidify their popularity in the MTV generation however with Paul taking the reigns more than Gene who was extremely absent through the record, the songs lean more on Paul in terms of memorability 

Track List

1.I've Had Enough(Into The Fire)- This is a great opener and actually reminds me a bit of Dokken a bit. The soloing is very flashy as Mark was definitely more of a kamikaze type soloist. The chorus is big and the drums also sound more full here than on "Lick It Up". A great start to the album.

2.Heaven On Fire-An excellent pop metal tune. Its incredibly simple with just the right amount of sleaze to it to make it such a fun song. The main riff and chorus has a good swagger it gets stuck in your head.

3.Burn Bitch Burn-One of Genes penned songs and its honestly quite generic. Its more up beat and has some good riffing but it sticks around too long. Also the lyrics are juet terrible. Granted a lot of glam metal bands didn't write thought provoking lyrics but here it just sounds so generic.

4.Get All You Can Take-The slower pace leads to a more zeppelin-esque kind of riff with some catchy moments throughout. This one brings a bit more power with Pauls incredibly energetic vocals. The chorus falls a little flat but overall it isn't bad.

5.Lonely Is The Hunter-There is a bit more of a blues kind of feel on this one and the instruementals are great with some great tempo changes in the middle but again it feels a little derivative throughout.

6.Under The Gun-This is KISS at their full speed metal potential and the soloing is insane it reallt sends the song over the top. Its totally what makes 80s metal and 80s KISS so great when it goes completely over the top.

7.Thrills In the Night-This is my favorite song on the album and one that should be a staple on any 80s rock playlist. The solo is also my favorite on the album and its a shame as I would have loved to see more like this with Mark on future albums. Its extremelt catchy as well and a major highlight of the non makeup years.

8.While the City Sleeps-This is the best of the songs Gene sang on with a great main riff and a simple but effective chorus. The lyrics also are not as cheeay as before either.

9.Murder In High-Heels-This is a weaker closer with another slower kind of bluesy riff that flows through pretty much the entire song. It just feels sort of unfinished and half assed.

Overall, I give the album a 7.5 out of 10. The album shifts in quality quite a bit with a little over half of the album being filled with great songs and then the rest is quite forgettable. Gene phoning it in really hurt the quality for sure. However Mark St. John is a major highlight I do like his tone alot as well as Bruce Kulick who played on a few tracks. St. John would barely last as the tour was about to start, he developed a bad type of arthritis that kept him from playing live. This is where Bruce Kulick came in officially as the band yet again was getting higher and higher and finally had a lineup that would last through the rest of the decade. 

KISS Retrospective part 13: Lick It Up(1983)

KISS had ended a chapter and begun another in 1983. Paul and Gene decided that it was time for the make up to go as fans were leaving in droves. They figured it would attract at least curiousity but their sound would mark a huge change here as well. With Eric Carrs masterful drumming and Vinnie Vincents more shredding capabilities, KISS would evolve into a more straightforward heavy/glam metal band. Thus with the release of "Lick It Up", KISS' non make-up era (and my favorite era) would begin.

Track List

1.Exciter-A very energetic heavy opener that rivals "Creatures". Rick Derringer actually plays the solo here and he really tears it up. The chorus is awesome and Paul is on his A game here as well.

2.Not For the Innocent-Genes more mid tempo sleazy rock tune with a huge chorus to it. The vocals are really good here as well as some nice big riffs as well. Vinnies solo is awesome here with alot of tremolo to it.

3.Lick It Up-The track(and amazingly weird music video) that would put the band back on the map. Its so simple yet a total fun time. Very catchy and gets stuck in my head anytime i hear it. Its an essential party rock song.

4.Young and Wasted-The energy ramps back up with another harder hitting track. Even though gene sings it, the live version with eric carr i prefer more. However, this is still a powerhouse of a track. Definitely one thats made for the live setting.

5.Gimme More-One of KISS' heaviest songs. This is borderline speed metal excellence. Pauls soaring vocals are as strong as theyve ever been and the solo is really nailed as well. Easily the most intense song on the album.

6.All Hells breakin loose-This song has a more bluesy feel to it with Paul almost rapping the first few verses. Another insanely catchy tune plucked right from the decadence of the 80s.

 7.A Million To One-This is the closest to a ballad on the album and its still pure 80s melodic rock. It almost borders on AOR as well which I love.

8.Fits Like A Glove-Another break neck tune with Gene spitting pure cheesy lyrics but fun nonetheless. Its another one thats got a ton of power behind it.

9.Dance All Over Your Face-This is the only song that feels a bit like a throwaway. The power just isnt there and it doesnt feel as exciting. The solo spots are pretty good though.

10.And On The 8th Day-This is sort of the anthem on the album. Its very cheesy but its not a bad tune. The main riff doesn't do much for me but the chorus has a big feel to it.

Overall, This album gets a solid 9 out of 10. While not as solid side to side as "Creatures of the Night", most of the songs are fantastic and breathe new life into the band. This could easily have been the death knell for the band but in fact it was a breath of fresh air. However, even with the highly successful 83 tour,  Vincent and and Paul specifically were at eachothers throats and he was out. As their popularity began to build once more, it was time to find yet a new lead guitarist.