KISS – Monster

October 10th, 2012 by jason

Loud & Proud/Roadrunner

I will admit I am not the world’s biggest Kiss fan but was mightily impressed by their last album ‘Sonic Boom’. Now we have ‘Monster’, an album which by the band’s own admission they have gone back to their classic 70′s sound and kept the music simple – no choirs, no pianos although church bells do pop-up on the bonus track ‘Right Here, Right Now’.

The single ‘Hell Or Hallelujah’ sets their stall out nicely – Paul Stanley in good form (Gene Simmons joins in most songs making them a joint effort), the riffs are classic Kiss and the chorus hits you first time around. ‘Freak’ is one of the us & our fans versus the world songs that the band do so well. One for their live set methinks. The riff on ‘The Devil Is Me’ reminded me of the Eagles ‘Life In The Fast Lane’! Not the best song on here it has to be said.

They will never will lyrical prizes as can be heard on ‘Take Me Down Below’. The song has more innuendos than a ‘Carry On’ film and an issue of ‘Viz’ put together! Still a great riff and chorus means you can’t help but smile and enjoy the song. Guitarist Tommy Thayer gets a chance to sing ‘Outta This World’, a decent melodic rocker and he sounds like Stanley and Simmons combined, bit bizarre. The only tune on here to really hark back to their mid-80′s sound circa ‘Crazy Nights’.

Song of the album is ‘Back To The Stone Age’, nice heavy bass line, couple of guitar solos, a killer chorus and a real 70′s vibe. Be very surprised if this isn’t released as a single at some stage.

Not as good overall as ‘Sonic Boom’ but still a strong album and streets ahead of much of their output since the late 80′s. Fans will love it and even the casual fan like me will like it too.

****

Jason Ritchie

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