KISS - LOVE GUN

Like most 15 year old kids the idea of having three months off from school left me excited, thrilled, and bored out of my mind with a whole lot of nothing else but time on my hands. Fortunately one summer day while scratching my head pondering the uncertainty of high school one thing became abundantly clear...the freeing power of rock and roll, as I gathered enough allowance money together and purchased my first copy of LOVE GUN on cassette at K-Mart. The sweet sounds of summer had never sounded so good.
These were the tranquil days of high school innocence. Days before we were forced to don greasy black kitchen aprons and waste our summer breaks slaving away at a summer job. Days filled with nothing but slate free agenda…where the major decisions to be made were to shower or not. Days spent wandering aimlessly from room to room, the air conditioner cranked cold, and the double guitar harmonies of "I Stole Your Love" blaring from the bedroom boom-box. Now those were good times…
When I picture rock and roll success on any level I think of LOVE GUN. By its release in the spring of 1977 KISS were more than just a well oiled machine they were on the brink of becoming the mass merchandising machine the world would remember them by, and not always in a good way. "KISS will put there name on anything!", sneer the non-believers. My reply: "Yes…yes they do…and there ain’t a damn thing wrong with it." If I want to lie my head to rest at night on a KISS pillowcase?…so be it…and sweet dreams to me.
LOVE GUN not only introduced a more care free rock and roll sound to the KISS catalog but along with its release came the unveiling of brand new touring outfits, more ‘in-album’ goodies, and fresh new artwork by CREEPY magazine artist, Ken Kelly. The total package for impressionable youth of the day.
As a bright eyed innocent boy myself I was very taken in by the entire album. The spirit of rock and roll that exist from "I Stole Your Love" to "Shock Me" to "Almost Human" are made for the windows to be rolled down and the volume to be cranked to ‘10’. The title track alone quite possibly could be my favorite ‘rock’ song of all time. A guitar chugging anthem that transitions itself perfectly to the ‘live’ setting with one of the most simple, yet effective guitar solos I have ever heard. Add in the tongue-n-cheek innuendoes behind the title and the recollections of Paul Stanley writing the song completely by memory during a KISS flight to Japan, and you got it….hook, line and sinker…. I’m sold.
The album artwork remains my favorite to date. Gene’s boots have never looked so menacing. I would gladly share my bed with any of the "Love Gun Ladies" (modeled after artist Ken Kelly’s wife…lucky man), and yes, I have spent countless hours trying to find the parts of Peter’s costume in which Kelly claims to this day remain un-finished.
LOVE GUN was the opening chapter to my favorite era of KISS and perhaps that is why it has grown so close to my heart. It was that carefree era of the 70’s when kids were allowed to be kids. If things appeared a little hokey, you didn’t question it or ponder it; you just bought it with a smile on your face. It was the time in KISS sat on top of the world and we all raised our fist to the sky and cheered… "We Want KISS!"
One year later I would receive that very honor at my first KISS show. For the first time in years, "I Stole Your Love" was brought out of the catalog and placed as the set opener during the HOT IN THE SHADE tour…I was on cloud #9 and still am every time this album plays.

KISS - ROCK AND ROLL OVER

If you could travel back in time, where would you go and what would you do? Given the choice and a flux capacitor I would zip back in time and witness magic unfold. The date…September 13th, 1976. The place… the Star Theater in Nanuet, New York. The event…the birth of the classic 70’s KISS sound…the recording of ROCK AND ROLL OVER. What a time…what a record.
In my opinion the KISS sound that existed on the studio albums leading up to the landmark, KISS-ALIVE were left over sounds from WICKED LESTER. Although great songs existed on those albums at times they were a bit lame and a little bubble gum (not that there is anything wrong with that). It is just that they didn’t possess that quality I imagine when I think of ‘1970’s arena rock’. ROCK AND ROLL OVER had that quality.
After DESTROYER left me a little confused ROCK AND ROLL OVER lit the fire that burns in the pit of my stomach when I am lost in rock and roll. The songs, the guitar sound, the album art work…it all epitomizes what 1970’s rock is all about.
I can only imagine what it must have felt like that first day of summer break, no school session to attend, no parents at home, and the complete freedom youngsters in their bell-bottom jeans must have felt cranking "Take Me" through Mom and Dad’s home stereo speakers.
The release of ROCK AND ROLL OVER marked the explosion of the KISS marketing machine. For the first time we saw highly produced television commercials announcing the release of the album, as well as the first insert of ‘KISS goodies’; the inclusion of the giant ROCK AND ROLL OVER sticker that could be separated by band members, and KISS logo. How much fun is that?
Highlights from this album for me are the songs, "Take Me", "Mr. Speed", "Makin’ Love" and "Love’ Em And Leave’ Em"…a song I never cared for until recently. One night talking on the phone with Dan…he mentioned how two of his favorite guitar solos are on the ROCK AND ROLL OVER album. Listening closely later that night, I could see why he would make such a statement. The effect that is used in Ace’s guitar during the solo of "Love’ Em And Leave’ Em" is classic Ace Frehley. Not to mention this may the first time’s we hear his classic pick up selector ‘switch’ used in a studio recording.
Lastly…how can we not mention albums clever title? Sadly…the naïve boy who is typing this to you never noticed the sexual innuendo behind the records title until one day, thumbing though a HUSTLER magazine I noticed an ad for a porno with the tag line, "Rock and roll over"…now that is pure genius.
And to me…that is exactly what this album is. ROCK AND ROLL OVER is (in my opinion) the best KISS album…bar none. Rock and roll at it’s very best.