GENE SIMMONS — Gene Simmons (review)

GENE SIMMONS — Gene Simmons album cover Album · 1978 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
AtomicCrimsonRush
Ah yes, 1978, the year when Kiss decided to do solo albums. This was the 3rd best of the 4 because while it features some great tracks there are some that are cringe worthy. It starts off with evil laughing and a dark foreboding chant with horror movie soundtrack violins, and then finally the riff and drums kick in with Simmon’s pulsating bass. Radioactive became a hit single for the man and rightfully so, with its infectious melody and endearing lyrics.

Burning Up With Fever is a bit of a throwaway after a great start but is more than made up for with See You Tonite; a soft melancholy vocal and I like Simmons when he is not growling. This softer ballad is rather nice.

Tunnel Of Love never resonated with me as a teen into Kiss in the 70s and I still dislike this really. True Confessions is even worse with those dumb orchestrated moments and female backing singers. Man, this is bombastic nonsense.

Living In Sin is a real highlight with a great melodic hook and Cher features, speaking as an overexcited fan on the phone; love that bit.

Always Near You/Nowhere To Hide is very soft and builds gradually to a crescendo with very high, well sung vocals from Simmons; I count this as definitely one of my favourite tracks from Simmons. I absolutely love that melody in the verses, so heartfelt and beautiful with atmospheric music.

Man Of 1000 Faces is a moderate rocker I remember from the Kiss movie in particular, but it was never a favourite, a bit repetitive and dull.

Mr. Make Believe is just a pop song and I rather like Simmons either rocking it out or singing a ballad, not in between, however it is OK.

See You In Your Dreams is covered from a Kiss classic but the original is way better.

When You Wish Upon A Star is an hilarious attempt at Simmons singing a child’s song from Pinnochio. I always used to play this for a joke as a teen, and it is still a joke; really banal, inept singing and overblown orchestra only adds to its derivative clichéd nature.

So there you have it the good the bad and the Simmons all in one package. Not a bad attempt and buries his latest appalling Asshole album, make no mistake about that.
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