This review contains my initial reactions to the "worst KISS album ever". All opinions herein are my own and are as unbiased as they could be after hearing other people’s opinions. I have tried to overlook those views and be as honest as possible and try not to say “I hate it” just because someone else does, or say “I like it” just to prove them wrong.
Album: Music from The Elder by KISS
| Track 1: fanfare |
Notes: Flutes, clarinets and chanting. Not your typical KISS album. An interesting start. It’s almost a warning “Forget the KISS you know” RATING:1 |
| Track 2: JUST A BOY |
Notes: Paul’s voice is allowed to do so much more than on a typical KISS album. Beautiful collaboration with his voice and the instruments. A very pretty song but not KISS at all! RATING:1 |
| Track 3: ODYSSEY |
Notes: Piano??? Wow so not the usual. Not as impressed with this song until you hit the chorus and it’s a bit better. Is someone singing with Paul? It almost sounds like two Paul’s (hehe nice thought J). When it’s just him singing with hardly any instruments it’s very nice. The song is almost too long, however, and seems to just drag on for a minute too long. RATING:2 |
| Track 4: ONLY YOU |
Notes: Love that intro (it’s so a Gene song, even though it’s not typical, you can still tell). Gene’s voice is interesting. This song is heavier than the previous songs. (more KISSesque but they still aren‘t singing about women) Ooh more Paul. It’s a very Paul-y album for vocals. This one could almost be a single. (almost) Enter KISS-like guitar. RATING:3 |
| Track 5: UNDER THE ROSE |
Notes: Whoa! What is this???? Is that Gene??? Our beloved demon? Ahhh! Never has he been scarier (even while spewing blood!!!) Oh, good. It gets better. Wow. More guitar again. The chorus is good. Haunting and hypnotic. RATING:3 |
| Track 6: DARK LIGHT |
Notes: Okay? What came first this song or JAWS??? Hehe. Catchy. Sweet guitar. Whoa! Is that Ace singing?? He spoiled the whole song! I’m serious. Gene or Paul should have sang it. The best thing is that guitar. Interesting percussion during the solo. Catchy. RATING:2 |
| Track 7: A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES |
Notes: I’d heard this on MTV Unplugged so I thought I knew what to expect. It’s much different here. Very haunting and powerful. Gene’s voice is very interesting here. A cool song. RATING:4 |
| Track 8: THE OATH |
Notes: Powerful guitar. It’s sooo not Ace playing. Ooh Paul again. Everything but the vocals in this is very KISSlike (well as KISSlike as you can get without them singing about Love Guns and such). Also note the drum work. I was about to say “Wow, Peter!” But it’s not Peter, it’s Eric. So “Wow, Eric!” RATING:3 |
| Track 9: MR.BLACKWELL |
Notes: Haunting beginning. Again with the sounding like there are two Genes singing. Catchy. Gene’s vocals kinda remind you that you’re listening to KISS. RATING:3 |
| Track 10: ESCAPE FROM THE ISLAND |
Notes: Definitely the climax of the “story”. Neat guitar work, once again it’s so obvious it isn’t Ace playing. And good drums again. No vocals??? Yeah but the guitar makes up for it. RATING:2 |
| Track 11: I |
Notes: Are they trying to go for “shortest song title” or something? Catchy. Again with the guitar. The vocals in the chorus meld well together. And what’s with the end? It just reminds you that you’re listening to the album that started so weird but you ended up enjoying. RATING:2 |
Overall Notes: Definitely not an album you want to listen to expecting the usual KISS or you’ll be very disappointed and not give the album a chance. You have to forget who it is. It’s not KISS, but it’s good. I enjoyed it. I have to honestly say that I was getting in to the songs. I don’t really follow the story but hey it was good.
RATING:2
