Kiss Music:

Editorial Review:
2005 Japanese pressing of 1978 original release, comes packaged in a standard jewel case. Mercury.

Gene Simmons Reviews:
Gene exorcises his Demons!
2009-11-12 - Gene did an excellent job on this album. He really took some risks with it, especially on the When You Wish Upon a Star song, which I happen to enjoy. This album has some great little ditties such as Man of 1,000 Faces, Always Near You/Nowhere to Hide, True Confessions, Mr. Make Believe, and Radioactive. Gene is the Man!

Enduring Circus, pt. 1
2009-10-28 - There's only 2 types of people in the world. I'm not talking about 3. Do you know what you want? Far out, or square. You don't know for sure. Stoned or sober. I put it up front, before the fact, honest and professional. Every time you did it, you did it conkered. No problem but I got the fact after the fact. Last to know. I'm tired of wishing on a falling star. I'm putting my faith in a loud guitar. Enduring circus. If you wanna be a singer or play guitar, you gotta sweat or you won't get far. Only 2 types of people in the world. Only 1 way to rock. No more boo hoo, 'cause its never too late to work 9-to-5. I'm not talking about 3. You can take a stand or you can compromise, you can work real hard or just fantasize. 9 lives, remember? Falling star. You don't start livin' till you realize. Far out, or square. First but not last, least and not lasting.

MY FAVORITE KISS SOLO
2009-10-12 - while there's no denying that ACE'S solo was the best. PAUL'S was a rock album much like the stuff he has done with KISS.PETER even had his audience and while he's talented,he seems more obsessed with trying to write another BETH.GENE'S album ran the gament. stuff that could have been on a KISS album and some stuff that would never be a KISS album. that's why his was always my favorite.

Disney's Tinkerbell meets Wicked Lester
2009-09-30 - Back in 1978, at the apex of KISS' commercial success, rumors were starting to churn with fans of the beginning of the end of the band. With the simultaneous release of each original member's solo albums, something that no active group had accomplished at that time, those rumors were fueled even more. Most fans at the time though did not know that KISS was under contract with their label, Casablanca, to produce the albums, with all four solos counting as two complete albums, out of a total of five albums.

Each member's inner-self and creative style showed through each album. Ace's, the number one selling album and only one to furnish a top 40 single with "New York Groove" which hit #13 on the charts, was a mostly hard-rock extravaganza, Paul's was typical KISS - hard/soft/ballad rock, Peter's showed his love of Jazz and slow ballads, and Gene's... well... Gene's was all over the place both musically and quality wise.

The album starts of well with "Radioactive". While the lyrics may be a little over simplified, the song in general has a good steady, somewhat hard rock beat to it. With a few exceptions though, such as the 1960esque "See You Tonight", "Man of a 1000 Faces" and it's Orchestral sound, and "See You In Your Dreams", another lyrically short but good hard rocker, the album slides into the abyss rapidly. A musically star-studded cast does not help this production recover. The bottom of the well is reached with Gene's cover of Walt Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star". Many have severely panned the inclusion of the song over the years. My problem is not in fact that Gene did a cover of a Disney song, but that the vocals are terrible. I mean really terrible. It actually sounds as if Gene is gargling with gravel in his mouth.

If you are a severe Gene Simmons fan, you will more then probably like this album, as it shows the man behind the mask. If you are a KISS fan, there are much better albums/solos out there to enjoy. As I said above, there are probably four descent songs on this album. Unfortunately, four songs do not make an album.

Would I recommend this to a friend? A friend probably wouldn't ask.

Mixed bag of tricks
2009-07-01 - I was SO EXCITED when these solo albums came out! I had no money so I had to choose which one of the four to buy first. I choose "The God Of Thunder", expecting a rockin' dark time!! How wrong I was. Gene shows off his influences (both good and bad) and interests (ditto) on this album. Lots of guest stars and some overproduced numbers here. That being said, there are some good songs (many of them more mellow) that I really enjoy. If you really like KISS, I highly recommend you continue your journey and get ALL four of the solo albums. I like Paul & Ace's the best. Peter's is NOT COOL, but you gotta hear it!! 11/27/09: Over the past few months I've noticed that 2 people haven't found this review helpful. Let me restate my case: this is a good album for KISS/Gene Simmons fans. However, if you are expecting a darker "in character" demon cd, you will be surprised by the songs. Gene writes in a variety of song styles and this album is proof of that. Very enlightening and fun stuff. Really, give it listen!