I've listened to the full album now...I'd say 6-7 times. I never did read the track listings or titles...so I am going to wing that part and just talk about the record and the music...
I haven't bought a new non make up album ever....and that actually doesn't even make sense because this record they are in make up....so scratch that and let's start over. I've never bought a NEW NON-Original MEMBERS record....I am so used to seeing them in and out of make up...I am not even sure I notice now...which version I am seeing
I love the record. First listen I was into it....there were a couple tracks that really stood out, and a few that were a little too commercial for me (the one that Gene sings and sounds almost like a Bon Jovi song) but I was ready to give it another spin immediately (in fact 3 times in a row) (yes I did get the vinyl and not the CD....) but second time I listened to the record I was even
more into it...I was hearing little bits and pieces of great music I love...some Beatles (helter skelter intro) some Michael Schenker Group (Victim of Illusion) a little Zeppelin here and there....and a big spoonful of KISS/
Tommy's guitar playing was fresh and sounded great....good tone, a couple of really nice solos....good stuff...Paul's vocals sounded really good, the lyrics for the most part were really good and what you'd expect from any great KISS album.
I find myself walking around the house singing more than one of these tunes right now....
now here's the tough part.....do I rate this album as a stand alone.....because if that was the case....I'd give it probably a 4 or 4.5 stars.....but where does that give room for all the original albums...there's no breathing room for records like Dressed to Kill, or Dynasty....but I think it would be unfair to give this record a 3....because it's better than that.
so I'll stand by the 4.5 stars.....I think there's a few songs that aren't as good as the others....but to me it's a very well balanced record, a LOT of great music...and the few songs that are maybe a little too generic for me....are still good songs and I found myself singing and rocking out to it....without even noticing while walking through the house....so who I am I to say...clearly some part of my brain connected to it.
now this was what I'd mentioned before to you Chip in person....with the new Van Halen out this year...and both of these bands have HUGE 70's legacies.....how do the two compare....well first off...I really like the new Van Halen record.....but after listening to the KISS record several times and then going back to the Van Halen record.....for whatever reason, the KISS album seemed to have more DEPTH. I am not totally sure if it's because the KISS record is brand new to me, and I've heard the VH record more times...or what exactly this means to me....but I did feel in some weird way I liked the KISS record a little more.
Eddie's playing and David Lee Roth are awesome on the new VH record...but right now I've got KISS edging them out by a small margin.
we'll see if this sticks after a few more listens to each.
but yeah. Monster....does live up to KISS' hype. It's a great record and they should be proud of it. Live I'd like to see them play a good chunk of songs off it...I don't know with their HUGE catalog of hits and "must plays" if that would ever happen...but I'd have no problem hearing 5 or 6 of these songs live when they tour/