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 first saw “KISS” in Syracuse on the Destroyer Tour in 1976 at the War Memorial. It was their 2nd time here. This time the curtains on the side of the stage caught fire but were quickly extinguished. SHOCK AND AWE….I still have that tour book. And we all get on Tommy Thayer but Eddie is right…he loved “KISS” just as much as we all do and he really has put in a lot of hard work for our enjoyment. I thank him much and have a lot of respect for him.
Thanks for this Eddie. As a fan that loves all aspects of Kiss and Eddie Trunk, it’s been tough listening to your most recent opinions. While I understand that it’s just the way you feel, it’s still hard to hear after all those Christmas/ Kissmas specials. Your review here lets us know your love for the core band and Tommy’s efforts as a fan still are in your heart.
I went to buy this last week, but $25.99 for this “on sale” is insane. I support the hell out of what’s left of the rock record business, but I’m not shelling out almost $30 bucks for a single bonus disc of extras. Ain’t pullin the trigger….
Is it really Peter Criss on the live tracks? I read on KissFAQ that there is some doubts about that.
Martin: Absolutely NOT Pete’s drum tracks. I think it’s a drum machine overdub and it sounds hideous.
Don’t believe everything you read on KISSFAQ, I doubt Peter was replaced with a Drum machine. If it does not come from the mouths of KISS themselves then don’t believe it. All the crap coming from KISSFAQ is made up from rumors and speculation from so called KISS fans who ramble utter non sense to get people to discuss things all KISS and KISSFAQ News is mostly garbage from a discussion room full of weirdoes. If it’s not official from the band’s Website then do not believe Internet hear say. Sounding different dose not always mean replacement, it could mean it was re-mastered in the studio for better quality.
Allen: How long have you been a Kiss fan? “If it doesn’t come from the mouths of Kiss don’t believe it”??? No offense, but did you start getting into Kiss during Sonic Boom? These guys lie like a rug, man!
Been a Fan since 1978, all I’m saying don’t believe something unless it’s made official. If Gene and Paul come clean and said “Yes, Peter’s drumming was replaced”, then I will believe it! I don’t believe in crap made up by Fans in a discussion room. I never said “Gene and Paul are honest!” I don’t believe is BS rumors from Fans. Example: If the Internet said, “Gene Simmons died in a car crash”, then hear Gene go to his Official Website to say “Hey, look here I am not dead!” who are you going to believe? That’s the point I’m getting at, just because a FAN OWNED AND OPERATED Discussion room says something is TRUE don’t make it true!
Eddie, I think it’s a testament to your professionalism and class that you can remain so objective about the music after all of the mudslinging Paul and Gene have thrown your way. Well done, sir.