11/11: KISS “LOVE GUN” DELUXE EDITION REVIEW
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.
Thanks for taking me back Eddie…Im 50 this week..but I remember LOVE GUN on my turntable, the KISS posters on my wall… (which my Mom hated!!)…..At our Junior high in Iowa…was some kind of party day…and we could play what records we wanted…some kid brougth the 45 rpm single to ROCKET RIDE…and I knew I had to get that record.
Putting all that aside, “Love Gun” is their worst 70’s album.
All the 70’s KISS records are masterpieces if you ask me… however, when it comes to the first 6 studio albums you are probably right. The only real flaw on Love Gun is that cover song, I liked it when I was a little kid but when I hear it now I cringe.
I have never been a huge fan of Rock and Roll Over, personally. Some good tunes, bad mix. I do like Love Gun better. Destroyer is probably the best of the 70s.
It’s really hard to choose a favorite record, there’s definitely a magic to Destroyer that no other KISS record has. When it comes to songs though, I think the first record has the best songs with Black Diamond, Deuce, Strutter, etc. …that was pure and true KISS.
Hey Eddie, maybe after this review, Gene & Paul will want to “kiss” & make up? LOL! 😉
We have seen this version of Kiss for the 2nd and last time. We’re not interested at all in anything that Kiss does today. We saw them on the summer tour with DL and honestly not only I but many people around us weren’t happy at the end of their show. Def Leppard on the other hand were fantastic. They are a Vegas act now and quite frankly, they have been a Vegas act since Peter and Ace left the band again. Terrible show, Paul isn’t even near the word “Fair” in regards to his singing. And somebody made a interesting point about Tommy Thayer, How can people say he is a great guitarist when all he has done is copied everything that Ace Frehley did?
I, too, saw Kiss (with Piper) for the first time in December of ’77 in Atlanta. It was awesome. Remember my friend bringing Alive II to sunday school and opening it up in the parking lot to show the classic fold out shot. Funny how things impact us. I also remember that, at this stage in the Kiss story, I was always anticipating the next great Ace solo. They came on his solo album, but sadly, not after that…Dynasty and on. I think he had peaked, and not surprised that his later involvement in Kiss was also unproductive. Sorry to see so much negativity towards Kiss now. Seems to be frustration from past serious fans… if you don’t like it, don’t buy it. They keep playing because people keep buying it.
Atlanta was my first show for KISS in 1977 as well – $8 for a ticket! full out assault on your senses. If you search for KISS Atlanta Live on Google there are actually some black and white images from that show which were fantastic and a cool find.