Pros: Enough good songs

Cons: RIP Classic KISS

In 1978, American rock band KISS were rather busy. KISS had finished up a world tour in the Spring. They also recorded the song Strutter '78 for their first Greatest Hits album called Double Platinum which was also out in the Spring of 1978. The band had each written and recorded a solo album and released the albums at the end of the Summer. In October, they aired their first film KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park on TV. The band started the recording of their seventh studio album (not counting the four solo albums) in early 1979 despite inner rebellion from lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. The two members had a penchant for drugs and alcohol and this probably affected their decision to constantly threaten cofounders bassist Gene Simmons and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley with leaving the group.

 In an attempt to squelch some of the arguments, Gene and Paul have enlisted record producer Vini Poncia for this up coming album. Peter Criss worked with Vini for his solo album a few months earlier which resulted in pretty good results. Peter was happy with that for a moment until the Dynasty rehearsals commenced. Poncia decided that Peter would have to sit on the bench whilst Anton Fig (drummer for most of Ace's solo record) would sit on the drumstool filling in for Peter on eight out of the nine songs on the album. Peter's drug use has finally come to the point where it affected his musical ability, the main reason why Criss was let go after the Dynasty tour. Criss last performed with KISS on December 16th, 1979. It was announced that Peter was leaving in early June to "pursue a solo career" and about a month later new drummer Eric Carr was announced as Peter Criss's replacement.

 KISS had acquired a newer and younger fanbase along the way due to merchandising and the kiddy movie in 1978, so the sales for KISS Dynasty were hardly affected, as these new fans hardly noticed or could care less. In fact, their new album climbed higher than any KISS record that had come before. The breakout single was Paul's I Was Made For Lovin' You, a song he had co written with songwriter/lyricist Desmond Child and producer Vini Poncia. Paul claims he set out to write a song with a genuine disco beat, to prove that rock and roll was more complex and that Paul Stanley was above such disco music. The results? Well Paul is no Barry Gibb, but I think he proved his point. The song reached #11 in the Billboard singles charts, and KISS had earned themselves a Top Ten album. I Was Made For Lovin' You had a harder edge with the lead guitar fills and Paul's vocal. It sort of falls into the same category as Donna Summer's Hot Stuff off of her Bad Girls album also released in 1979.

 Paul's disco-theme extended to one other song, Sure Know Something. While I Was Made For Lovin' You had a rapid heart-beating beat, Sure Know Something takes its time, yet the groove is reliant on the prominent bass lick, some choppy clean guitar chords and harmonics and a steady soulful drumbeat. Paul's vocal is filled with emotion and much more dynamic than what KISS fans are used to, but it is a welcome change. Sure Know Something was the other single from Dynasty but stalled before entering the Top 40.

 The one song that Peter performs on is his own composition Dirty Livin'. This is possibly a left over from his solo album, since the songwriting team is made up of the usual suspects, Peter, Vini Poncia and Peter's longtime friend Stan Penridge. Ace's lead guitar work is brilliantly and simply limited to a couple of notes and lots of controlled feedback.

 Ace Frehley has come out of his shell since his solo album and contributed two songs of his own and a desire to cover an old Rolling Stones song called 2,000 Man, originally from their Satanic Majesties album. Mick Jagger's nonsensical lyrics about a relationship with a computer seem to make sense with Ace singing them somehow. Ace contributed two other rockers, the first is the semi-autobiographical Hard Times, and the CD's closer Save Your Love.

 Gene Simmons, bass player and one of the main song writing contributors has only managed two songs on Dynasty. Charisma is the better of the two. The song captures Gene's personality within the boastful lifestyle he has grown accustomed to.
What is my charisma, what is it I've got
 What is it about me that gets you so hot, hot, yeah
His other song X-Ray Eyes is just about unsalvageable, the sound seems watered down with the ultra slick production, that it is my assumption that the song hardly resembles itself from the early stages.

 With Vini Poncia on board here as producer, he also sings background vocals on most of the songs, giving the overall sound of KISS a new feel. It's just one of the facets that signal the departure of the classic KISS sound, and starting from Dynasty KISS will never be able to get back. Of course with the multi personnel changes over the next few years, KISS seem to have lost the identity that originally set them apart from every other band. Yet, Dynasty sits on the cusp on the Classic, 1970's, original line-up, magical era of KISS' career and so it's hard not to recommend Dynasty as it becomes a part of classic KISS even if only by default. Plus with the exception of X-Ray Eyes and Paul's Magic Touch, the album's not bad.

the songs

 1. I Was Made For Lovin' You
 2. 2,000 Man
 3. Sure Know Something
 4. Dirty Livin'
 5. Charisma
 6. Magic Touch
 7. Hard Times
 8. X-Ray Eyes
 9. Save Your Love
Pros: Enough good songs

Cons: RIP Classic KISS

In 1978, American rock band KISS were rather busy. KISS had finished up a world tour in the Spring. They also recorded the song Strutter '78 for their first Greatest Hits album called Double Platinum which was also out in the Spring of 1978. The band had each written and recorded a solo album and released the albums at the end of the Summer. In October, they aired their first film KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park on TV. The band started the recording of their seventh studio album (not counting the four solo albums) in early 1979 despite inner rebellion from lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. The two members had a penchant for drugs and alcohol and this probably affected their decision to constantly threaten cofounders bassist Gene Simmons and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley with leaving the group. In an attempt to squelch some of the arguments, Gene and Paul have enlisted record producer Vini Poncia for this up coming album. Peter Criss worked with Vini for his solo album a few months earlier which resulted in pretty good results. Peter was happy with that for a moment until the Dynasty rehearsals commenced. Poncia decided that Peter would have to sit on the bench whilst Anton Fig (drummer for most of Ace's solo record) would sit on the drumstool filling in for Peter on eight out of the nine songs on the album. Peter's drug use has finally come to the point where it affected his musical ability, the main reason why Criss was let go after the Dynasty tour. Criss last performed with KISS on December 16th, 1979. It was announced that Peter was leaving in early June to "pursue a solo career" and about a month later new drummer Eric Carr was announced as Peter Criss's replacement. KISS had acquired a newer and younger fanbase along the way due to merchandising and the kiddy movie in 1978, so the sales for KISS Dynasty were hardly affected, as these new fans hardly noticed or could care less. In fact, their new album climbed higher than any KISS record that had come before. The breakout single was Paul's I Was Made For Lovin' You, a song he had co written with songwriter/lyricist Desmond Child and producer Vini Poncia. Paul claims he set out to write a song with a genuine disco beat, to prove that rock and roll was more complex and that Paul Stanley was above such disco music. The results? Well Paul is no Barry Gibb, but I think he proved his point. The song reached #11 in the Billboard singles charts, and KISS had earned themselves a Top Ten album. I Was Made For Lovin' You had a harder edge with the lead guitar fills and Paul's vocal. It sort of falls into the same category as Donna Summer's Hot Stuff off of her Bad Girls album also released in 1979. Paul's disco-theme extended to one other song, Sure Know Something. While I Was Made For Lovin' You had a rapid heart-beating beat, Sure Know Something takes its time, yet the groove is reliant on the prominent bass lick, some choppy clean guitar chords and harmonics and a steady soulful drumbeat. Paul's vocal is filled with emotion and much more dynamic than what KISS fans are used to, but it is a welcome change. Sure Know Something was the other single from Dynasty but stalled before entering the Top 40. The one song that Peter performs on is his own composition Dirty Livin'. This is possibly a left over from his solo album, since the songwriting team is made up of the usual suspects, Peter, Vini Poncia and Peter's longtime friend Stan Penridge. Ace's lead guitar work is brilliantly and simply limited to a couple of notes and lots of controlled feedback. Ace Frehley has come out of his shell since his solo album and contributed two songs of his own and a desire to cover an old Rolling Stones song called 2,000 Man, originally from their Satanic Majesties album. Mick Jagger's nonsensical lyrics about a relationship with a computer seem to make sense with Ace singing them somehow. Ace contributed two other rockers, the first is the semi-autobiographical Hard Times, and the CD's closer Save Your Love. Gene Simmons, bass player and one of the main song writing contributors has only managed two songs on Dynasty. Charisma is the better of the two. The song captures Gene's personality within the boastful lifestyle he has grown accustomed to. What is my charisma, what is it I've got
 What is it about me that gets you so hot, hot, yeah
His other song X-Ray Eyes is just about unsalvageable, the sound seems watered down with the ultra slick production, that it is my assumption that the song hardly resembles itself from the early stages. With Vini Poncia on board here as producer, he also sings background vocals on most of the songs, giving the overall sound of KISS a new feel. It's just one of the facets that signal the departure of the classic KISS sound, and starting from Dynasty KISS will never be able to get back. Of course with the multi personnel changes over the next few years, KISS seem to have lost the identity that originally set them apart from every other band. Yet, Dynasty sits on the cusp on the Classic, 1970's, original line-up, magical era of KISS' career and so it's hard not to recommend Dynasty as it becomes a part of classic KISS even if only by default. Plus with the exception of X-Ray Eyes and Paul's Magic Touch, the album's not bad. the songs

 1. I Was Made For Lovin' You
 2. 2,000 Man
 3. Sure Know Something
 4. Dirty Livin'
 5. Charisma
 6. Magic Touch
 7. Hard Times
 8. X-Ray Eyes
 9. Save Your Love