Peter Criss's solo album is not what you'd expect after hearing what Kiss has done over the years. He decided to go back to his roots prior to Kiss which was a combination of lounge music and ballad stuff. If you're expecting anything resembling a Kiss album, DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM. To tell you the truth, it sounds a little like the Georgia Satellites. It's a laid back album that has a lot of the type of music you'd hear at a wedding or what you'd expect from a lounge act. The first three songs, I'm Gonna Love You, You Matter To Me, and Tossing' and Turning all kind of sound like something the Georgia Satellites would do, except they're even more laid back from most of the Satellites' stuff. Don't You Let Me Down is a pretty boring song to be honest, it's slow and Peter sounds disinterested, like he just wants to get the song over (I couldn't wait for it to get over myself). Probably the best song on the album is That's The Kind of Sugar Papa Likes, which is a little more upbeat, but still not that upbeat, but at least there's a little more flavor to it and the drumming is actually pretty good. Easy Thing is another ballad. It starts out with acoustic guitar (and at first sounds like another yawner) and then kicks in a little with dynamic drumming and probably Criss's most inspiring vocals on the album. Rock Me, Baby is also a little more upbeat and sounds like it should be a theme song to some 70's TV show. Kiss The Girl Goodbye is another ballad with some nice acoustic guitar playing, but Criss's vocals again get a little tiresome as he sings higher which for him doesn't sound very natural. Next is Hooked On Rock 'N' Roll (this album makes me think Criss is actually hooked on ballads, but anyway) which is the closest thing on this album that resembles a Kiss song. He actually sounds kind of like Paul Stanley on this song, but the horns and piano make sure you don't confuse this song with one of Kiss's, not too bad of a song though. He finishes off with I Can't Stop The Rain, yet another ballad, and I'm like please stop with the ballads already. Peter Criss's solo album isn't anything resembling Kiss at their most mellow, except maybe Beth, which of course is the only song Peter Criss is really known for vocally. It's not a bad album, if you can sift through and endure the ballads. But it's not an album that'll get a lot of playing time either. Like I said before, don't buy this album in hopes of buying a Kiss album or anything close to it. I pretty much just bought it to fill out my Kiss collection, but I was definitely disappointed. If you don't set your sights very high or if you like lounge music (or elevator music), you might like this album. It's got a few decent songs, but not nothing really good. Beth might have been the reason that Criss decided to go in the direction that he did on this album. I give Peter credit for doing what he's comfortable with and showing his fans his roots, though, even if it's not what I really want to hear.Read full review
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.
The solo ablums (all released at the same time) were basically still KISS, but the vocals featured the band member as titled. I'm a CatMan Fan. Peter Criss was my favorite, growing up. This album features some of his style (always the soulful one, preferring jazz to metal), whereas in the typical KISS setlists the only exposure the audience has to Peter singing/leading is from the well-heeled "Beth"
Overall this was a very great collection of songs. You cannot go into listening to this CD expecting to haer KISS songs. You have to go in knowing that this is the man who wrote Beth and this is his style of music. Out of the 10 songs on this CD 7 songs are really great. The best songs are I'm Gonna Love You, Tossin and Turnin, That's the Kinda Sugar Papa Likes, Easy Thing, Rock Me Baby, and I can't stop the Rain. It is definately a softer sounding style of music but Peter Criss nailed it.
Pure listening enjoyment!! Thanks.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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