KISS/Paul Stanley - Paul Stanley

Artist - KISS/Paul Stanley
Album - Paul Stanley
Released - September 18, 1978
Genre - Hard Rock
Reviewed By - The Starchild (Talk about conincidence.)

In 1978, all 4 original KISS members took their chances and released solo albums without each others inputs with varying results. Peter Criss's album bombed (Why are we not surprised?), Simmons's took an experimental approach, Ace's showed his instrumental prowness furthur more while our boy Paul made a hard rock album which sounded like..well..a KISS album circa late 1970's. (Except this time it's Paul doing 100% vocals.) Not that it's a bad thing since Paul had always been a major force in KISS and has written several of their classics.

Unique thing about this album is, it's the only album out of 1978 solo albums which featured completely original material (Other 3 recorded cover tunes for their records.) Most of the album deals with themes of love, relationships and stuff similar to that, except this time it's much more softer and sounds deeper than "OMGZ LETS BANG A CHICK YO~!" formula you mostly see in KISS songs. One of the highlights of this record is the song Take Me Away (Together As One) a song which can be very well considered first ever power ballad in the vein of 80's hair metal explosion, and it's influence can be seen in bands that produced power ballads later on. Other highlights include "Love In Chains" and the steady opener "Tonight You Belong To Me". Stanley roped in a killer lineup of people ranging from Carmine Appice to Bob Kulick (A good friend of KISS members whose brother later on joined the band.) thus providing him steady backup.

All in all, it's a gread hard rock record which is a treat for Paul Stanley fans since we will have to wait for almost three decades to hear his next solo outing. If one wants a glimpse at what Stanley can do without KISS and why many consider him to be "life and soul" of the band, and is a fairly consistant record, but it leaves the feeling that it could have been done better. (Ace Frehley's album anyone?) Also it tends to leave the feeling that it's too damn short. If you are a KISS fan by any means, this album alongside with Frehley's 1978 solo effort, are must listens. Great hard rock album which maintains to sounds entertaining after several listens.

Rating - 3.5/5

Tracklisting -

1. Tonight You Belong To Me (Paul Stanley) – 4:39
2. Move On (Stanley, Mikel Japp) – 3:07
3. Ain't Quite Right (Stanley, Japp) – 3:34
4. Wouldn't You Like to Know Me? (Stanley) – 3:16
5. Take Me Away (Together As One) (Stanley, Japp) – 5:26
6. "It's Alright" (Stanley) – 3:31
7. Hold Me, Touch Me (Think of Me When We're Apart) (Stanley) – 3:40
8. Love In Chains (Stanley) – 3:34
9. Goodbye (Stanley) – 4:09