LIVE TO WIN (2006)

Paul Stanley's career as a wax dummy was proving to be very lucrative...

Paul Stanley is back with his first solo album in almost 20 years!

And it's mostly kinda average. Not bad or anything, but nothing outstanding. The title track was pretty cool when it was on South Park. Lift and Wake Up Screaming both have a problem, where the music sounds like a cross between Hoobastank and Evanescence, while the vocals sound like Paul is singing on a Michael Bolton album or something. It's a weird juxtaposition that doesn't quite work. Everytime I See You Around is a pretty cool little semi-power ballad and Bulletproof is listenable. All About You is an example of where Paul lets his balls hang out and rocks the party.

Second to None is a box of cheese. Paul really likes these cheesy love songs. And then it's just more cheese, whether it rocks or is soft. I don't mind cheese - in fact, I quite enjoy it. But for some reason, the obvious nature of these songs just doesn't rock me. It all sounds the same.

If I want a Creed album, I'll listen to Creed.

The band, not the movie. Though I'd prefer the movie.
The trailer rocks and I'm really looking forward that film. Might have to do a Rocky marathon to get in the mood...


Highlights:
All About You, Reminding myself to buy my ticket to see Creed

Lowlights:
Loving You Without You Now - what the fuck does that title even mean???



Verdict = 3 Smoking Les Paul Guitars

HOT IN THE SHADE (1989)

The Sphinx tried its best to go incognito at the Kiss concert...

Kiss are back! And this time with their longest album ever! And Michael Bolton co-writing songs!

Shit.

Rise to It is your standard opener, with Paul singing and making hilarious innuendos. Betrayed is just the typical Gene trying to do 80s speed metal thing, just even less 'heavy' than normal. And his singing is less annoying. Hey, it's that Ace Frehley hit - Hide Your Heart! I really can't decide which version is better, as they both have equal merits and different things that make them equally awesome. Alas, the awesome gives way to generic 80s rocking songs, including Read My Body - which is just a direct rip off of Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me. Minus the awesomeness.

What is awesome, however, is Forever. Despite me mocking it for being co-written by Michael Bolton, it is without a doubt the best ballad Kiss have ever done. Probably more of a power ballad, I guess, but either way it makes this album worth the money. Silver Spoon is just icing on the cupcake with its swagger and cool. One thing that strikes me with these last couple of songs is just how good Paul's voice is on this album.

Anyways, back to the generic mediocre stuff for a while. Then Eric Carr finally gets to show off his vocal chops on Little Caeser. Not a bad song, but I'm fairly sure he could have done something years before this. He sounds like a ballsier Gene Simmons! Speaking of Gene, he closes us out with yet another speed hair metal wannabe song.

Kiss albums should not be this long. Unless they are filled with amazing songs - which this wasn't.


Highlights:
Forever, Silver Spoon

Lowlights:
Read My Body



Verdict = 3 Smoking Les Paul Guitars