I have my second roommate at NMSU, Deon Arteaga, to thank for pushing me more into KISS's music, and Gene Simmons' solo album was one of the selections he had (among others).  I was expecting something that went beyond the boundaries of KISS's c-ck rock, say what he would actually do to Christine Sixteen, but no, the Demon displayed a conventional but eclectic mix of music as well as many guest stars.  Among the backing vocalists is Katey Segal, later of Married With Children fame, and producer Sean Delaney.
"Radioactive" is the most KISS-like song, easily fitting on either the debut album or Love Gun, but it's got too much of that early 70's (read classic rock) sound.  Radioactive is definitely one way to describe a real hot woman, but beware that radiation!  Bob Seger and Aerosmith's Joe Perry help out.
"Burning Up With Fever" starts with a nice guitar played in a kind of Oriental style, before going into rock mode.  One of the backing vocalist here is Donna Summer, also a Casablanca Records alumnus like KISS back then.
"See You Tonite" is one of a few songs with a Beatles influence, say a mid-tempo version of their Help! period, maybe even pre-Hard Day's Night era and it's a mid-tempo number with symphonic arrangements, courtesy of members of the NY and LA Philharmonics.
Per the innuendo "Tunnel of Love" means what it says, especially with the "you are the lock I am the key" line, meaning that the demon hasn't lost his satyr-like aspects.  Joe Perry contributes here.
"True Confessions" has a slowed down 60's-type soul/pop with a melange of backing vocalists, Helen "I Am Woman" Reddy, the Azusa Citrus College Choir (my favourite part of the song), and a piano boogie.
"Living In Sin" shows the tried and true demon KISS fans know.  Bob Seger and Cher guest here.  The soul piano and backing vocalists again make this a quick soulful number that could easily fit on Peter Criss's album, except that the electric guitar adds a rock dimension not too present on the Criss one, and Peter wouldn't have a woman going into fast-talking hysteria and then gasping in ecstasy while talking to him on the phone.
"Man of 1,000 Faces" is an ode to the James Cagney movie about silent movie star Lon Chaney, whose myriad disguises gave him that monicker.  The symphonic arrangements are present here.
Probably my favourite mellow song is "Mr. Make Believe" as it too has a Beatles influence, Rubber Soul era, maybe earlier, but with Phil Spector's symphonic wall of sound.
Of the KISS members, Gene's the only one to reprise a KISS song, and he takes Rock And Roll Over's "See You In Your Dreams" with the backing section of female singers making a difference.
That segues into a cover of the schmaltzy Walt Disney standard "When You Wish Upon A Star", the last song I'd expect him to cover.
The number of soft songs is amazing for the demon, whose human side comes out, and it's those I like more.  And the more rocking numbers fit more into conventional 70's rock than the glam metal familiar to KISS, so proving that he could do more than sing about his conquests or rock and roll, displayed his creativity and diverse influences.  For that reason, Gene Simmons' solo album ties for second with Ace's.
I have my second roommate at NMSU, Deon Arteaga, to thank for pushing me more into KISS's music, and Gene Simmons' solo album was one of the selections he had (among others). I was expecting something that went beyond the boundaries of KISS's c-ck rock, say what he would actually do to Christine Sixteen, but no, the Demon displayed a conventional but eclectic mix of music as well as many guest stars. Among the backing vocalists is Katey Segal, later of Married With Children fame, and producer Sean Delaney. "Radioactive" is the most KISS-like song, easily fitting on either the debut album or Love Gun, but it's got too much of that early 70's (read classic rock) sound. Radioactive is definitely one way to describe a real hot woman, but beware that radiation! Bob Seger and Aerosmith's Joe Perry help out. "Burning Up With Fever" starts with a nice guitar played in a kind of Oriental style, before going into rock mode. One of the backing vocalist here is Donna Summer, also a Casablanca Records alumnus like KISS back then. "See You Tonite" is one of a few songs with a Beatles influence, say a mid-tempo version of their Help! period, maybe even pre-Hard Day's Night era and it's a mid-tempo number with symphonic arrangements, courtesy of members of the NY and LA Philharmonics. Per the innuendo "Tunnel of Love" means what it says, especially with the "you are the lock I am the key" line, meaning that the demon hasn't lost his satyr-like aspects. Joe Perry contributes here. "True Confessions" has a slowed down 60's-type soul/pop with a melange of backing vocalists, Helen "I Am Woman" Reddy, the Azusa Citrus College Choir (my favourite part of the song), and a piano boogie. "Living In Sin" shows the tried and true demon KISS fans know. Bob Seger and Cher guest here. The soul piano and backing vocalists again make this a quick soulful number that could easily fit on Peter Criss's album, except that the electric guitar adds a rock dimension not too present on the Criss one, and Peter wouldn't have a woman going into fast-talking hysteria and then gasping in ecstasy while talking to him on the phone. "Man of 1,000 Faces" is an ode to the James Cagney movie about silent movie star Lon Chaney, whose myriad disguises gave him that monicker. The symphonic arrangements are present here. Probably my favourite mellow song is "Mr. Make Believe" as it too has a Beatles influence, Rubber Soul era, maybe earlier, but with Phil Spector's symphonic wall of sound. Of the KISS members, Gene's the only one to reprise a KISS song, and he takes Rock And Roll Over's "See You In Your Dreams" with the backing section of female singers making a difference. That segues into a cover of the schmaltzy Walt Disney standard "When You Wish Upon A Star", the last song I'd expect him to cover. The number of soft songs is amazing for the demon, whose human side comes out, and it's those I like more. And the more rocking numbers fit more into conventional 70's rock than the glam metal familiar to KISS, so proving that he could do more than sing about his conquests or rock and roll, displayed his creativity and diverse influences. For that reason, Gene Simmons' solo album ties for second with Ace's.