Just got a copy of the recently released special edition of Kiss Love Gun. So many of the many reissues that I get are pretty pointless. Many times the remastering is not even done well and the artist is not even involved. Not the case with this one. This truly is a great reissue and worth the purchase. Everyone knows by now I am still a huge fan of CDs and they are very much by far still my favorite format. When CDs are produced like this it’s another reason why I love them so much. This deluxe edition of Love Gun has great packaging, photos, liner notes by Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, a great booklet and even a magnetic love gun (the original album had a cardboard one which broke after a few snaps!). The remastered original album sounds crisp and punchy without the over compression and volume that plagues some of these remasters these days. The bonus disc has some cool gems including a demo for a Simmons song call “I Know Who You Are” which hardcore fans will recognize as the song it became on his solo album the next year “Living In Sin”. There is also a real interesting recording of a young Paul Stanley explaining how a song goes that he just wrote called “Love Gun” which is a learning demo. I also found the 1977 Montreal radio interview with Simmons interesting when he talks about the band not taking any major turns in their music or being so pompous to make a concept record. Fascinating when you consider the next album had a disco song and The Elder would come shortly after! Love Gun was the bands sixth studio album and for the most part the final ever studio record from the original band (Anton Fig would play on Dynasty and Unmasked despite Peter being pictured). It holds a special place for many because it was when Kiss was on top of the world, firing on all cylinders, featured the vocal debut of Ace Frehley, and featured a tour and stage show unlike anything anyone had seen. It was Kiss at their peak. I saw Kiss for the first time in December of 1977 and it was a game changer for me and so many. This special edition really took me back to ’77 again, being that kid in my bedroom with Kiss posters all over the wall and dropping the needle on the start of “I Stole Your Love”. It encompasses all that was so great about being a kid and being lost in the music and mystique of Kiss while staring at the album jacket. Tommy Thayer worked on this reissue and regardless of how you feel about his current role in Kiss he was a fan first and foremost and he certainly has always done a great job when it comes to capturing the history the right way. I hope the rest of the bands catalog eventually gets this treatment on CD.
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I couldn’t have said it any better. I love the re issue and for so many of the same reasons. Aug 77 was my first show and being able to hear this with all the extras was worth the purchase.
What an absolutely wonderful and thought out review. Thank You.
Thanks Tommy
Owwwwwlll hello Eddie Trunk!!!! It looks like we’re gonna have ourselves a rock n roll party tonight whoooo, awww hey! You know Eddie, Eddie Trunk you and I go back a long long ways. It’s no secret, it’s no secret that you and I haven’t always seen eye to eye. You’re Waynes world-like parody of a TV show, awww hey, called That Metal Show, THAT METAL SHOW, has always been a joke to me. People let me hear ya!!!! With that said, Ed, hey that’s another rhyming inspirational line I just invented make some noise!!!!! Anyways with that said, Ed, you are now back on good terms with yours truly whooooaahhh!!! The day time is a fine time, but the night time is the right time to talk about my, my, my LOVE GUN!!! You’re unexpected and favorable review of my pocket rocket album has unlocked many doors that were once closed to you! I will come on to that metal show and you can hear about Kisstory all over again let me hear ya!!! I’ll tell ya all about ace’s orange and red sneaker, about Peter singing Ave Maria at some mob dive bar. You know, the usual story that’s been told a million times owwww!!! And I’ll even bash Ace & Peter without you having to ask. I must admit I’m a secret tms closet fan and I’ve watched all the episodes from day one with Lita Ford top the present. You always get gifts from your guests so I figured you would be honored, since I’m the best artist on the planet, to get a customized portrait of yourself painted by yours truly!!!! I’ll also make arrangements for the real spaceman and the real catman, I’m not talking about mom and dad, I’m talking bout’ Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer to be the guest musicians let me hear ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ànd I’ll bring some vintage never before seen photos of KISS for Florentine and Don wooooo!!! Kiss is not just a band, it’s a lifestyle. With me on tms, the roller coaster is about to begin, so hold on tight Eddie Trunk, you’re ratings are gonna go through the roof!!! Ok Gene is gonna sing this next one so Dana if you wanna get yourself some Kiss, meet us in the Ladies Room….
There always has to be some joker on this site that has to act like a complete fool. You didn’t let us down.
I enjoy RealPaulStanley more than the real Paul Stanley 🙂
I agree!! this guy cracks me up!!! this is second post ive written by him..and he just has me laughing…
I have never read so many funny peoples sayings about the bands!! Especially kiss!! I cant stop laughin!! I wonder what the next stupid thing Gene is going to say!! I would of rather of had a companion disc of a live show during that tour with the remastered disc than what someone said. also was tommy even born when this came out? I was a huge fan of kiss untill one day back in 78 when i turned on my radio and Running with the Devil came through my speakers and that was all I needed to hear!!
Are you kidding me, this guy has all the nuances down and is a huge Kiss fan for sure. He’s hilarious!
how many people out there like the real paul Stanley’s posts? I do! “keep em comin'”. incidentally, the dive bar where peter sang cara mia was called the kings lounge. In 1994/5, I played drums in a band with peter’s guitarist from the kings lounge era. true story.
Hold on, is this the “real” Elliot, the original? Or the Elliot Easton from The Cars?
doug r. , let’s not start that again. Puhleez.
LOL! Well the real Elliot always made me laugh! Besides, it’s not my fault that there’s like 120 Elliot’s around here now, or more, have to make sure! 🙂
I love this guy.
The Real Paul Stanley posts have become as much fun to read as the news posts themselves are. Very funny, keep them coming Paul!
PLEASE, real Paul Stanley, do NOT paint a picture of Eddie…your badly rendered orbs are way more than anyone needs, thank you. : )
LOL, Someone needs to hide his KISS Alive! album
Thanks Mr. Trunk for that “Insightful” article (lol…)… Honestly speaking…, Kiss will always and forever be that band that broke me into the rock scene… Ace’s solo and Alive II will forever be embedded in my heart forever.. But…, that ship has sailed and now looking forward to FARMIKOS!!!