Kiss-Gene Simmons solo album
July 22nd 2008 09:00
Kiss- Gene Simmons solo album
Year: 1978
Label: Polygram
Track Listing:
01. Radioactive
02. Burning Up With Fever
03. See You Tonite
04. Tunnel Of Love
05. True Confessions
06. Living In Sin
07. Always Near You/Nowhere To Hide
08. Man of 1000 Faces
09. Mr. Make Believe
10. See You In Your Dreams
11. When You Wish Upon A Star
Gene Simmons’ solo album was released in 1978 simultaneously with the other three Kiss members-Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss’s solo albums. Ranking #22 on the charts, it was the highest rank of all the solo albums, although it has sold the least albums.
While many know Gene Simmons as the star of Family Jewels he is
also the tongue-waggling, fire-eating bass player of 70’s rock group Kiss.
Right from the first with the Demon’s howling laugh on ‘Radioactive’, you know that you are going to step into a horror-film inspired mind warp. Simmons’ is renown for his love of the theatrics, comics and old horror films and much of that influence has transpired onto his solo album.
While Paul Stanley’s Solo album is more like Kiss’ sound, Gene Simmons’ is the heaviest. Track such as ‘Radioactive’, ‘True Confessions’, ‘Burning Up With Fever’ illustrate this as does ‘Tunnel Of Love’ with it’s heavy bass.
But then this isn’t too surprising considering many of the songs he takes lead vocals on in Kiss are their heaviest. ‘Calling Dr Love’, ‘I Love It Loud’ and ‘War Machine’ are fine examples.
However Simmons also shows a softer side on tunes as well with ‘See You Tonite’ and the god damn awful ‘When I Wish Upon A Star’. I still have the urge to bitchslap him every time I hear him brutalise the Disney classic.
And what would a Gene Simmons be without a tribute to himself and of course, you guessed it, sex?
‘Tunnel Of Love’ and ‘Living In Sin’ are perfect examples of this. While I’m not a huge fan of ‘Tunnel Of Love’, ‘Living in Sin’ is one of the best tracks on this album. Simmons’ girlfriend at the time Cher guest appears on the track with daughter ‘Chastity’.
Gene Simmons solo album is a gaggle with guest singings that apart from Cher, also include Katey Segal (‘True Confessions’) Bob Seger (‘Living In Sin’) Joe Perry (‘Radioactive’) and Donna Summer (‘Burning Up With Fever’).
To help with the Beatle-influenced ‘See You Tonite’ he used the backing vocals of John and Paul from Beatlemania.
Simmons also covers a Kiss song. Not happy with the way ‘See You In Your Dreams’ was recorded on ‘Rock and Roll Over’ Simmons rerecorded it for his solo album. Personally, as much as I like the heavier sounds, I much prefer Paul Stanley’s backing vocals to the female backing vocals on this version.
For any Kiss fan, this should already be in your CD Collection along with all three other solo albums. For rock fans, this is a fine introduction to a man who has inspired many musicians from today and yesteryear.
I give this 4/5
buy Gene Simmons' solo album
Year: 1978
Label: Polygram
Track Listing:
01. Radioactive
02. Burning Up With Fever
03. See You Tonite
04. Tunnel Of Love
05. True Confessions
06. Living In Sin
07. Always Near You/Nowhere To Hide
08. Man of 1000 Faces
09. Mr. Make Believe
10. See You In Your Dreams
11. When You Wish Upon A Star
Gene Simmons’ solo album was released in 1978 simultaneously with the other three Kiss members-Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss’s solo albums. Ranking #22 on the charts, it was the highest rank of all the solo albums, although it has sold the least albums.
While many know Gene Simmons as the star of Family Jewels he is
Right from the first with the Demon’s howling laugh on ‘Radioactive’, you know that you are going to step into a horror-film inspired mind warp. Simmons’ is renown for his love of the theatrics, comics and old horror films and much of that influence has transpired onto his solo album.
While Paul Stanley’s Solo album is more like Kiss’ sound, Gene Simmons’ is the heaviest. Track such as ‘Radioactive’, ‘True Confessions’, ‘Burning Up With Fever’ illustrate this as does ‘Tunnel Of Love’ with it’s heavy bass.
But then this isn’t too surprising considering many of the songs he takes lead vocals on in Kiss are their heaviest. ‘Calling Dr Love’, ‘I Love It Loud’ and ‘War Machine’ are fine examples.
However Simmons also shows a softer side on tunes as well with ‘See You Tonite’ and the god damn awful ‘When I Wish Upon A Star’. I still have the urge to bitchslap him every time I hear him brutalise the Disney classic.
And what would a Gene Simmons be without a tribute to himself and of course, you guessed it, sex?
‘Tunnel Of Love’ and ‘Living In Sin’ are perfect examples of this. While I’m not a huge fan of ‘Tunnel Of Love’, ‘Living in Sin’ is one of the best tracks on this album. Simmons’ girlfriend at the time Cher guest appears on the track with daughter ‘Chastity’.
Gene Simmons solo album is a gaggle with guest singings that apart from Cher, also include Katey Segal (‘True Confessions’) Bob Seger (‘Living In Sin’) Joe Perry (‘Radioactive’) and Donna Summer (‘Burning Up With Fever’).
To help with the Beatle-influenced ‘See You Tonite’ he used the backing vocals of John and Paul from Beatlemania.
Simmons also covers a Kiss song. Not happy with the way ‘See You In Your Dreams’ was recorded on ‘Rock and Roll Over’ Simmons rerecorded it for his solo album. Personally, as much as I like the heavier sounds, I much prefer Paul Stanley’s backing vocals to the female backing vocals on this version.
For any Kiss fan, this should already be in your CD Collection along with all three other solo albums. For rock fans, this is a fine introduction to a man who has inspired many musicians from today and yesteryear.
I give this 4/5
buy Gene Simmons' solo album
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