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KISS: Paul Stanley-Solo (remaster)
 Paul Stanley's solo release, one of the four the band released in 1978, was perhaps along with Ace Frehley's the closest to the classic KISS sound, although slightly more accessible and melodic. This was classy and polished hard rock filled with hooks and guitars, and showed that Paul could perhaps go off on his own should he ever need to. The album had crunchy guitar work courtesy of Stanley and Bob Kulick (whose brother Bruce would a few years later replace Mark St. John as the bands lead player) that had the arena rock stamp all over it, and helped propel songs like "Tonight You Belong to Me", "Move On", and the party song "Wouldn't You Like to Know Me?", all which would have made great KISS songs. Other hot tracks include "It's Alright" and the single "Hold Me, Touch Me", which had great sing-along hooks and crystal clear production values. Paul's vocals sounded better than ever, and although Ace's solo album contained the best pure rock songs and was heavier, the songs Paul included here all could have easily been included on any KISS album from Destroyer through Dynasty.
The KISS remaster series all have greatly inhanced sound and the booklets remain faithful to the original LP, although no bonus material is included. For the casual KISS fan who is considering getting the four solo albums from 1978, start with Ace's then this one, then move on to Gene's and Peter's.
Track Listing
1. Tonight You Belong To Me
2. Move On
3. Ain't Quite Right
4. Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?
5. Take Me Away (Together As One)
6. It's Alright
7. Hold Me, Touch Me (Think Of Me When We're Apart)
8. Love In Chains
9. Goodbye
Added: April 16th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:  
Related Link: KISS Online
Hits: 3283
Language: english
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KISS: Paul Stanley-Solo (remaster)
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2006-05-10 14:50:41
My Score:
In 1978, KISS did the unthinkable and released solo albums for each individual member of the group. It allowed the band to showcase what drove them musically on an individual level. Paul Stanley had a number of things going for him on his solo that set him apart from the other members very quickly. The first was his being the "voice of KISS" to most of the world and this instantly recognizable sound immediately had his album referred to as the most "KISS-like". As you listen, you will find this vocally as well as musically across the majority of the recording. Ace Frehley had given us the most technically musical and heaviest of the solos while Gene gave the most experimental; Peter's would be the most out in left field. Of the four releases, owning the Paul and Ace album would be the safest bet for most listeners especially the casual listener. Paul also had some killer musicians joining him for the recording of his album, among them Bob Kulick (guitar) and Carmine Appice (drums). Kulick was a name that often came up as the recording guitarist on a number of KISS classics despite who is listed as doing it while Carmine is a legend in the drumming world and certainly not a slouch in that department. The amount of hit material present on Paul's solo made me wonder why Ace had the only stand out song of the four releases. Songs like "Move On" and "It's Alright" were rocking, and yet radio-friendly for the time of their release. Blockbuster Rock power was delivered on some of the songs especially on "Tonight You Belong To Me" and "Take Me Away". During these memorable tracks, we find Paul at his vocal best giving you both passion and power. I consider these the most stand-out of the entire recording despite my leaning to this whole album as a favorite. There were also a couple that would have been great KISS songs if they had been submitted as such; I found this to be the case with "Love In Chains" and "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me".
The main thing about the Paul Stanley solo release is that it easily becomes a consistent listen. You can place this CD in, and let it run to completion and often you will find yourself returning to a couple of songs for repeat listens. I view this and Ace's release as my own personal favorites and recommend them both for anyone who is looking into expanding their KISS remaster catalog if they have not already done so.
The KISS remasters are excellent in their overall sound quality but do not offer any additional or unreleased songs outside of what was on the original album. The original artwork is replicated and features the interesting graphics that often made up a KISS Album. If the artwork was limited, this is of course reflected as well. Music History fans will appreciate the included historical liner notes on the CD's inner section. Each release has information that is topical to the album and the bands history.
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KISS: Paul Stanley-Solo (remaster)
Posted by Hugh Dark on 2006-11-16 06:42:51
My Score:
This solo release represents an effort to satisfy a recording contract signed in 1976 that would term in 1979 for a total of 5 studio releases. In effect, the 4 solo releases would act as 2 albums off their contract. In fact, some of these solo albums were being prepared as early as 1977! Why, you ask? Kiss management was going to release these albums along with the Kiss Meets The Phantom of the Parkmovie and set off each individual member into the stratosphere of popular consciousness. Well the movie was a critical and artistic flop and the solo albums were over printed to the sum of about 3 million copies. This tendency to overproduce would send many Kiss albums into the cut-out bins and would set them up for a lawsuit with Polygram later on. Kiss had deluded themselves that they were bigger than the Beatles after breaking some attendence records in Japan and this would be the project that the Beatles never finished. Good thing, it would have fractured them as well. The kiss company had out-smarted themselves and this would not be the last time either. If you look at this chronology of events you can see just how manipulative and smug the band, along with their management, had become. As for this solo release, I believe that it is without a doubt the best of the 4. In fact, it may be the best album to wear a Kiss moniker. It still holds up today and Paul Stanley was at his peak in terms of vocal delivery. The success of Ace was a fluke and this one is the real thing . I like every song on this and like other Kiss releases they are best when other people are playing the instruments. Well, at least until the 80's come around. It is then that they hired permanent session musicians!
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