Sorry for the awful title, but hey this is a KISS review after all. Like a few of you may already know, the original four members of KISS had each simultaneously released a solo album on the same day in the Fall of 1978. They came out at almost the same time as their debut TV movie, KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. I suppose each product helped advertise the other event. Nice move for KISS, they made lots of cash. Unfortunately, with four solo albums released on the same day, one album has to be the loser of the four. Sadly for Peter, this was his solo album. That doesn't mean it's all bad, because in actuality it has some good cuts. I believe the sales had nothing to do with the songs that were on the record. Peter, being the drummer of a supergroup was probably the least popular had therefore sold the least records. If the Beatles pulled this same stunt, George or Ringo would have sold the least.

Peter's album starts off with a strong track, I'm Gonna Love You. The song was written by Peter and longtime friend Stan Penridge. The late Stan Penridge was band mates with Peter before KISS came along in a band called LIPS. The song has a honky tonk rock and roll groove and the hook comes in with the chorus. Right off the bat the listener can hear the immense difference between this song and the typical KISS sound.

You Matter to Me was the choice for a single, and in my opinion it was a great choice. It has a danceable beat, and it is very radio friendly. This song had always reminded me of Rod Stewart's super hit; Do Ya Think I'm Sexy and it makes me wonder why this single was completely disregarded.

Peter or someone in his camp thought it was a good idea to cover the old 1961 Bobby Lewis classic Tossin' and Turnin'. I think it's cool to make a statement, and Peter's may perhaps be that he wants the KISS listener to distinguish that he has a more diverse taste in music than his band mates. Duly noted, but I think Peter could have thought of a better song to cover. This is the only song that KISS performed live from Peter's solo, (they performed one song off each member's solo record), and KISS's version was even worse. Here within the studio version, Peter's voice sounds fine, and the production sounds slick. The horns and the female backing vocals take away from the song's potential charm. I never listen to this song; it spoiled the continuity of a streak of good quality songs.

The best song here is effortlessly the melodious Don't You Let Me Down. I'm not sure what Peter was striving for, but it has always reminded me of a David Bowie style of song, particularly his vocal. This song was again written by Peter and old comrade Stan Penridge. It has a very intimate sound with a prominent groovy bass, and electric keyboard accents.

That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes, written by Peter and Stan again, sounds to me like Peter's attempt to write a Motown type of classic almost in the same vein as Tossin' And Turnin'. This song is not dreadful; it has a slight edge to it with a guitar solo from Steve Lukather.

Easy Thing written by Peter and Stan is also easy on the ears. This song is in the same stratum as Don't You Let Me Down, perhaps they're just all old LIPS songs in any case. The drums were performed by Allan Schwartzberg as a substitute of Peter for some reason. Conceivably because of the swelling strings and choir-like backing vocals, the drumming demanded something a bit more sophisticated than Peter was accustomed to, Allan's drumming here is in such contrast to Peter's. Peter hits the drums so much harder than the sound produced by Allan.

KISS manager, Sean Delaney offered one of his own songs for Peter, Rock Me, baby. The song is again in the same genre as Tossin' or That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes. Allan Schwartzberg again replaces Peter on drums. KISS the Girl Goodbye is another LIPS style song. It's a nice quiet intimate sounding song. With prominent acoustic guitars. Peter's percussion really adds to the mood to the song's sound.

Hooked on Rock And Roll is again that early 60s style that Peter had provided this whole album. I'm not a fan of this genre and I detest it instantaneously. This song also features a guitar solo by Steve Lukather; it seems to be the only mildly interesting part of the song. This song sounds like the poor man's Bob Seger, no disrespect to Bob Seger.

Sean Delaney again delivers a song that spotlights a solo writing credit to himself. I Can't Stop the Rain is the longest song, clocking in at almost four and a half minutes. Allan Schwartzberg replaces Peter for the last time on the album. This is sort of Meatloaf without the voice. Peter's voice sounds good though. The song is very commercial with lots of fluff, there is a lush string section backing the ballad.

When the four albums came out, the fans didn't get Peter's album, I know I didn't but then again I was barely eight. I believe Peter's album aged well, if I had written this review when I was eight, I probably would have given it one and a half stars. Today, I think three stars are fair. The good songs are good, not great and the bad songs aren't so awful. Besides all of the anthology packages that KISS had shoved down their fan's throats these last ten years or so, this album should be your last stop in discovering KISS, which is, if you really want to.


KISS
Peter Criss
Length: 34:57
Released: 09/18/1978
The Songs
1. I'm Gonna Love You
2. You Matter To Me
3. Tossin' And Turnin'
4. Don't You Let Me Down
5. That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes
6. Easy Thing
7. Rock Me, Baby
8. Kiss The Girl Goodbye
9. Hooked On Rock 'N Roll
10. I Can't Stop The Rain


~~~~~~~~~~~~For More KISS Reviews~~~~~~~~~~~~
Destroyer
Rock and Roll Over
Love Gun
KISS Alive II
Gene Simmons - Solo Album
Ace Frehley - Solo Album
Peter Criss - Solo Album
Paul Stanley - Solo Album
Lick It Up
KISS: The Deluxe Box Set
Symphony: Alive IV
KISS - Gold

Recommended: No