A Review of KISS’s New Album, “Psycho Circus”

by AIMEE FRANCO

This fabulous foursome has offered fans the best once again, only one notch up from before. The "enhanced CD" which comes with multimedia applications, (screensavers, kissonline.net, pics) are classy and professional-the KISS way, that is. Boldly colorized, holographic, and razor-sharp are only a few choice adjectives to describe the CD case, before you even open it and put on the music!

The music? It is still unmistakably KISS inside and out, but the songs on this one guys, compared to so many of the older ones, are not quite the same medicine. If you expect another "SHOUT IT OUT LOUD", with heaping helpings of dance-around-the-room side-effects, then go dig up the vinyl and reminisce because this one doesn't have it.

The title track, "Psycho Circus", which has gotten significant air play lately, is similar to 'Detroit Rock City', in that it is memorable and catchy with two scoops of hard edge. But as for the other nine tracks, there are none that would constitute a nouveau 'Rock and Roll All Night.' However, I highly recommend it to the "faith-fullest" of faithful as a collector's item and as a nostalgic collection of ballads that paint the portrait of KISStory.

Lyrically, the album is superb. All bands grow and develop throughout the years, and "Psycho Circus" is a perfect example of the musical castle that can be built over time when all of a group's work, beginning with the roots and foundation of their career, is constructed with utmost care and wisdom. If musicians make wise career moves and continue to strive for their creative gold the way that KISS has since 1975, then those musicians will end up with a strong-arm palace which they can benefit from with each stone that is placed atop the other.

Just to give you some background info, I have been a KISS fan ever since I was four years old. I could not help but fall for the theatrical, make-up clad, Detroit-rockers. My uncle and his pre-teen buddies were proud cadets in the KISS Army and KISS tunes filled the air in my house, with me as a seemingly innocent, Strawberry Shortcake-sweat suit-wearin', Muppet-lovin' miniature family member. I was a tiny little thing, singing along to my 'Chipmunk Punk' album when, much to my mamma's chagrin, I was intrigued by those rock-hard melodic tunes. I knew how to utilize the household entertainment equipment (i.e., the turntable.) So when my uncle and his entourage went off to play GI JOE outside, it was my cue to pitter-pat down the hardwood stairs, break into his tike-proofed room and get the goods.

I was like a little stealth bomber tippy-toeing back up to Mom's room, carefully (as can be expected of a 4-year-old con-artist) placing an album of choice on the turntable and fumbling with the needle until I was rewarded for my top secret mission impossible! Those clown-lookin' gents were then singing to me as I set up shop. You see, in my world, I was a DJ just like in WKRP in Cincinnati! I strapped on the big headphones, plugged them in, and propped my feet up on the dresser waiting for someone to listen to me tell a story not unlike this one? Maybe so.

KISS STATISTICS

Gene Simmons/The Demon:(born Gene Klein in Haifa, Israel) *former elementary school teacher *bass player * the "Bat Lizard"

Paul Stanley/Star Child: *singer/guitarist *original member along with Gene, of a band called Wicked Lester *Gene's partner in conceptualizing the makeup/ cartoon character image that would make KISStory

Ace Frehley/Spaceman: *rythym guitarist *looking rough these days b/c of severe substance abuse! *sings 'Rocket Ride' *brought into the band through a classified ad in The Village Voice

Peter Criss/Catman/ My Favorite!: *drummer *sings the infamous sappy 'Beth' *recruited by Gene & Paul through an ad in Rolling Stone Magazine

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Comments:

Name: ESSEX
Major: ALBRIGHT GREEN (Yes that is a shameless plug for my band...)
Comments:
AimeE!! KOOL artikle on the kolossal kostumed kharacters from KISS! They definitely stay one step ahead of everybody else in the music biz...but I'm studying hard and learnin fast! See ya next time we are in town at Rileys..December 5th..another shameless plug...... LATER! SX

Name: Highway Star
Major: Spam
Comments:
You know, I think I shall have to agree with the lovely and talented Mr. Arbuckle. KISS was good back "in the day", as we may say back in the hood, but rather are better embodied by those gods among men, GWAR. Give your soul to GWAR, Aimee. Let them devour it.

Name: Fatty Arbuckle
Major: Asshole
Comments:
Dearest Aimee, Give up on the clown faced freaks from yesteryear and force yourself into the gillet of the world maggot. Sacrifice your soul to GWAR.

Name: Shannon Barbe
Major: Sports medicine..no major for punk music!!
Comments:
Hey Kiss used to RULE!!! but now i think the nostalgia is all thats left..i havent listened to the cd but i wish the Clash would have a holographic cover!! Anyway nice write up and keep up the journalism..nacho momma!!! Go Ninja Spice :O)

Name: Mike Barbe
Major: Life
Comments:
Great story punk rock girl! That explains alot about your background and musical taste!I havent got the disc yet but now I will!! DudeDNGR