In 1978, the year Paul Stanley released his first solo album, there was a dimwit in the White House (Jimmy Carter, history's greatest monster), and gas prices were skyrocketing.
Twenty-eight years later, KISS's legendary frontman has graced us with his second solo effort, "Live to Win." Historically, not much has changed-although gas prices are dropping. What about Stanley? Would it be possible for him to progress from where he was in the late '70s?
Actually, yes.
"Live to Win" has transformed Stanley from a makeup- and spandex-wearing rock star to a contemporary singer/songwriter, who now only sometimes wears makeup and spandex with KISS. Always the classiest member of that band, Stanley is now showing why he was also the principle songwriter. The album showcases all of Stanley's straight ahead rock, but there are some new twists.
"Wake up Screaming" is a stomp-along rocker with a big chorus, and also contains a looped techno beat for good measure. "Lift" is a perfect modern rock radio track, with dropped D tuning that sounds a bit like -- dare I say it -- Evanescence. There is also an edgy orchestra sample, giving the tune some extra weight.
The modernization of Stanley's music does create some strange moments, though. The ballad "Second to None" was co-written with Andreas Carlsson, the Swedish songwriter responsible for some of Britney Spears' and the Backstreet Boys' biggest hits. Take away Stanley's voice, and it could easily be a backing track for either of those acts.
Somewhere, millions of KISS fans are throwing up in their mouths a little.
But, to be fair to Carlsson, he did collaborate on two of the album's better songs: the up-tempo title track, which recently appeared in a "South Park" episode, and "Bulletproof," a catchy number complete with female background singers.
Stanley seems revitalized on "Live to Win." Perhaps getting out from under the KISS umbrella has something to do with it. This is a fresh record, and anyone expecting a throwback to the '70s will be surprised.
"Live to Win" arrives in stores Oct. 24.
Twenty-eight years later, KISS's legendary frontman has graced us with his second solo effort, "Live to Win." Historically, not much has changed-although gas prices are dropping. What about Stanley? Would it be possible for him to progress from where he was in the late '70s?
Actually, yes.
"Live to Win" has transformed Stanley from a makeup- and spandex-wearing rock star to a contemporary singer/songwriter, who now only sometimes wears makeup and spandex with KISS. Always the classiest member of that band, Stanley is now showing why he was also the principle songwriter. The album showcases all of Stanley's straight ahead rock, but there are some new twists.
"Wake up Screaming" is a stomp-along rocker with a big chorus, and also contains a looped techno beat for good measure. "Lift" is a perfect modern rock radio track, with dropped D tuning that sounds a bit like -- dare I say it -- Evanescence. There is also an edgy orchestra sample, giving the tune some extra weight.
The modernization of Stanley's music does create some strange moments, though. The ballad "Second to None" was co-written with Andreas Carlsson, the Swedish songwriter responsible for some of Britney Spears' and the Backstreet Boys' biggest hits. Take away Stanley's voice, and it could easily be a backing track for either of those acts.
Somewhere, millions of KISS fans are throwing up in their mouths a little.
But, to be fair to Carlsson, he did collaborate on two of the album's better songs: the up-tempo title track, which recently appeared in a "South Park" episode, and "Bulletproof," a catchy number complete with female background singers.
Stanley seems revitalized on "Live to Win." Perhaps getting out from under the KISS umbrella has something to do with it. This is a fresh record, and anyone expecting a throwback to the '70s will be surprised.
"Live to Win" arrives in stores Oct. 24.
