CRAZY NIGHTS (1987)

The Kiss mirror was recalled after complaints regarding reliability and vertical stability

Whoa!

After their first year off ever, Kiss are back! And even though most Kiss fans get all sad face about this album because it has keyboards and shit, I fucking love this album. Mainly because Crazy Crazy Nights is an absolute FUCK YEAH anthem and is the most classic Kiss song they've done since Love Gun. Speaking of which, Paul references it in Bang Bang You. Again with the emotional poetry. I actually considered counting how many songs on each album were just about sex, but that would have been futile, considering out the 725 songs I'm listening to I would venture to guess it numbers around 650.

Gene finally makes his arrival on this album at the fourth track. No wonder I like this album. Then he makes it a double with Hell or High Water, which is a really great song. Gene is at his best when he's not trying to do that cheesy 80s speed metal thing. Paul sings some super high stuff in My Way, which is in no way similar to the Frank Sinatra song. Aw man, I totally would have been keen for that. Perhaps he could do that on his next solo album? In fact, the next Kiss album should just be a cover album of old crooner hits. Who wouldn't want to hear Gene and Paul duet on Baby It's Cold Outside...

I have a live version of Reason to Live where Eric Carr sings the awesome high harmony in the chorus. I really like that version, for some weird reason. What's even weirder is someone throws a blanket or something and it hits Paul's mic stand. I mean, why would you bother throwing something like that? Not only could you injure a singer you've just paid to watch perform, but you also spent money on that blanket and now will never be able to use it again. Why don't people think before doing stupid shit at concerts? Oh yeah, the solo in this song is so ridiculous. I love Bruce Kulick, but Eddie Van Halen just died so he could join Mark St John in the afterlife and collectively shake their heads in disapproval, because shredding in a ballad is stupid. He plays a couple of 4 note licks during the last chorus and they are both infinitely better.

Turn On the Night is another 80s anthem where Paul makes you want to party. Where Gene sucked at 80s cheese stuff, Paul was tailor made for this. Then Gene ends it off with some stomping on Thief in the Night. Might not be the best Kiss album, but is probably the best one of the 80s. Perhaps Ace making awesome music again made Kiss step up their game and get back to making good music?


Highlights:
Crazy Crazy Nights, Reason to Live

Lowlights:
Knowing I don't have the guts to sing Bang Bang You to the hot temp at work wearing that tight dress today...



Verdict = 3 Smoking Les Paul Guitars and a thumbs up