Customer Reviews

Paul Stanley

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are two great songwriters. I have a multitude of respect for both of them. There is a Kiss formula that is attached to all the songs they recorded - some years writers got away with more - but overall the criteria is the same. Paul Stanley writes with this formula very, very well. If you'll notice - more of his songs became hits than any of the other writers in the band. However, he can go beyond this formula. And he did on his solo album. THIS is why Paul is such a great writer - he injects the right hooks and melodies into the songs and then Kiss tampers with them enough to make them hard rock. Paul Stanley is a pop writer. And he's best that way. One listen to his solo album and you'll hear that he took it seriously - this wasn't a gimmick - it was a Paul Stanley album (I'm not so sure the other three had this attitude - especially <shudder> Gene). There are several highlights on the record. Tracks like "Wouldn't You Like to Know Me", "It's Alright" and "Goodbye" are the songs that could be found on a Kiss album. Tracks like "Tonight You Belong to Me", "Hold Me, Touch Me", and "Take Me Away" are songs that wouldn't have made the "cut". They are also the strongest songs in the set. "Hold Me, Touch Me" was the single from the album, and it doesn't surprise me one bit that it didn't chart. Not with the Kiss name attached to it...it was ignored. But it's arguably one of the best pop ballads to come out of the decade. Topped off with a melodic, moving guitar solo by Paul, the song really is a pop music masterpiece. I would never want Paul to leave Kiss because I love the band so much and he is an integral part of it, but I also know that Paul has great attributes beyond Kiss - as a slick producer, a distinct vocalist, impressive guitarist (his acoustic work on the album is extraordinary)...and most of all, as a writer. What a great album.

This album alone proves that much of Kiss' driving force, aside from Simmons' signature Kiss classics (and the tongue), comes from Stanley. His powerful, soulful voice and his memorable riffs have long been Kiss' staple, and his devotion to the craft have made him Kiss' long-standing frontman. Every track on this solo album is exellent and full of full-fledged rock. The ballad "Hold Me, Touch Me", a minor hit in 1978, also shows his depth, and the opening track, "Tonight You Belong to Me", shows his creativity and uniqueness when it comes to structure. Altogether, this is the best of the solo albums and one of the better Kiss albums.

Listening to this album makes me somewhat depressed knowing it's Paul's only solo album. KISS has its amusements, but I enjoy that Paul Stanley's songs are mostly from the heart than the groin. This album, for me at least, has a very lonely feel to it. Ain't Quite Right reminds me of Tea For One by Led Zeppelin, also a depressing song, but cathartic. At least listen to a few of the audio clips provided.

I think Paul's musical talent multiplied by his endless dedication was responsible for the success story of KISS. Gene is another equal driving force behind the band but most of his songs are not able to do it for the KISS solely. Ace and Peter are both GODS and its a great pity in my view that their lack of dedication prevented them from staying in the band and creating more great songs together.
This album just confirms that Paul is the most balanced and focused musician out of the four - a true leader of the band.

Paul Stanley proves why Kiss would never be Kiss without him. It seems that to pick a least favorite song from Paul Stanley one would have to resort to flipping a coin. Everything that he does has enough merit to warrant a listen.

This release covers it a all. Stanley delivers: a ballad, acoustic guitar, blazing rock, mellow type jazz; it's all here.

As always, the vocal performance is top notch. When he belts out "Tonight You Belong To Me," you believe it.

Simply put, here is the best voice in Rock, ever, and this is his first solo effort. How can't it be good?

Paul Stanley knows how to write a rock-n-roll melody. He very rarely misses. His solo effort proves this point moreso than his KISS records. There just aren't any *bad* songs here. The thundering rock of "Tonight You Belong To Me," the radio-friendly "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me," the power ballad "Hold Me, Touch Me" these are simply tuneful and energetic songs.

Without question, Paul Stanley is a 'rock star.' It's what he does. He didn't experiment too much with this record, didn't reveal any hidden talents (although "Together As One" is a much more interesting song than typical power ballad fare) he just wrote some great songs, probably some of the best of his career.

This album and these songs totally hold up to the test of time. Had they been on a KISS record they might be the staples of the catalogue they deserve to be.

Paul Stanley is KISS's songwriter. And on his solo album, that's what he did.

The four KISS solo albums from '78 were VERY different from each other. Gene Simmons made a bad LP of Disney tunes. Peter made a good r+b album, but not what hard rock fans would want. Ace made the best record, with original and interesting hard rock. Paul made a polished hard rock album. He could have gone solo and fit in well as a solo artist in the late 70's/early 80's hard rock scene. He writes well, and does a fine job of playing his own solos. He is a good guitarist, no matter what anybody says. The best way to look at the KISS solo albums, is as exactly that, solo albums. Forget about the connection to KISS. They were meant as a way to record away from KISS for the members. If you take them as solo albums, then hard rock fans will find two great artists to listen to: Ace and Paul.

You're washed ashore on a desert island, and you've been there a week...and you think...'Jeez I wish I could listen to Paul Stanley's solo album!' This set of sounds confirms to me that Paul is without doubt the best songwriter and most charismatic front man ever in rock. The man is legendary as is this CD. Set off superbly by big sounding crunchy guitar lovers production, and nine flawless masterpieces of pop rock, this album shows how much more Paul had/has to offer, whilst still sounding the most Kiss like of the four solo CDs. Words simply can't describe the majesty of such opuses as "Ain't Quite Right", which is a little Zep like and way beyond its time, "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me", with balls as big as footballs, and "Goodbye" conveniently the last song which is heartfelt and passionate! Okay enough ranting and raving...my recommendation is buy this CD, pour a large glass of fine wine, slip on the headphones, dim the lights and let this CD "Take You Away-Together as One" cause life on a desert island would not be a bad thing with this CD in tow! Now the only question would be how am I going to be able to play it on an desert island?

this is one of the all time great lps , chock full of great songs and performances and an absolute must desert island disc ,can't recommend it highly enough ! .

This is the best of the 4. Great songs, good sound and pretty heavy (as far as Kiss goes) at times. Tonight You Belong To Me rules! One of my favorite Kiss songs ever! (even though its not a Kiss song). Goodbye, Wouldnt you Like..., Its Alright, Together as one... are high quality songs. Just really cool and have stood the test of time. Even sounds fresh today. Of course you get the typical ballad (Hold me, touch me), but it is a great cd and the best of the solos. And yes, that includes Aces...
In fact this cd was much, much better than Pauls 2006 outing as well.