Customer Reviews

Rockology

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4 star:		(1)
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As a member of KISS Eric Carr had the opportunity to play on albums that sold over ten million copies worldwide and to play to millions of fans on world tours in support of those albums. In turn, KISS (Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley) had the opportunity to work with a phenomenal drummer, AND a very talented singer/songwriter. They had the opportunity, but rarely took use of it. ROCKOLOGY shows just how much Gene and Paul missed the boat by not fully utilizing the talents of a VERY popular member of their band. "Eyes Of Love" is the best KISS song that never made it on to a KISS album. Recorded as a demo submitted for the HOT IN THE SHADE album, "Eyes" showcases Eric's strong vocals and has a better chorus hook than almost anything on HITS. One huge opportunity missed - it could have been a great single follow up to "Forever." "Somebody's Waiting" is a great Heavy ballad; it's not wimpy, but has a great melody and wonderful harmony vocals. Another opportunity missed. A song recorded as a demo submitted for the CRAZY NIGHTS album that should have been included on that album is "Mad Dog." Featuring a couple of great riffs, and a strong vocal hook (although no "real" lyrics - just a scat/guide vocal harmony track to write lyrics to), "Mad Dog" would have been a standout track on an album that desperately needed a kick-ass straight ahead Rock And Roll tune! "Heavy Metal Baby" (just a working title, he never got around to writing lyrics on this one either) is a mid-tempo down-tuned riff-heavy song with a great sense of groove. "HMB" could have been written for REVENGE, but the notes don't say whether or not this was the case. Regardless of whether or not it was written for REVENGE, it would have fit right on that album - AND been one of the best tracks! Another strong track is "You Make Me Crazy," which takes its musical cues from both Van Halen (think "Panama") and Bryan Adams (ditto - "The Kids Wanna Rock"). Again, no lyrics but a strong vocal melody and a killer set of riffs. In fact, some of the songs were written with Bryan Adams in mind, as Bruce Kulick (who plays all the guitars on the album, and produced it as well) attests to in his notes for "Can You Feel It?" "CYFI" is a strong track that would have worked well on HITS, as "Nightmare" would have as well. "Nightmare is another mid-tempo song with a great chorus hook. As an album ROCKOLOGY is not as cohesive as it would have been had Eric recorded it with the intention of these songs being released together as a solo album. Since he never got the chance to really work on a proper solo album, however, this is all that can be expected. Actually, it is much more than most fans DID expect, since the existence of most of these recordings was not common knowledge. Kudos to Bruce Kulick for taking the time to getting these songs as close to completion as possible. A MUST for die-hard KISS fans, and one to check out for the casual fans to find out what Eric was all about.

Thanks to former KISS guitarist, Bruce Kulick, this forgotten album of KISS's late drummer, Eric Carr has been released. This CD was made in 1989 with Eric Carr on drums and LEAD vocals and Bruce as the lead guitar player. Together, Eric and Bruce made a pretty decent album with some excellent songs and outstanding guitar riffs.

Eric Carr reflects his gifted talents on the drums and on LEAD vocals on this album. His openeing song, "Eyes of Love" is an outstanding tune that could have definitely been a hit if the radio promoted it back in '89. The lyrics are pure genious and the chorus is very catchy. The riffs are great and Eric does a great job witht the microphone. The next song, "Somebody's Waiting" is a softer rock ballad that is very strong standing from an emotional standpoint. I really like this one.

A couple more great tunes from the album are the instrumental "Just Can't Wait" and the ballad, "Tiara." The first one, "Just Can't Wait" is a very catchy instrumental piece. For those KISS fans that have heard Ace Frehley's "Fractured Mirror" instrumentals, then you'll love this. Then the ballad, "Tiara" is probably the second best song on the album next to "Eyes of Love." It is about a girl that Eric is in love with and the lyrics are extremely passionate.

Those four songs are the songs that make the album a decent one. The rest of the songs are either below par or unfinished. The rest of the songs I think could have been better. If you are a KISS collector and follow the solo albums of the members, you should definitely buy this.

Rest in Peace, Eric Carr.

After listening to this album, I realize how much more Eric could have contributed if he were alive today. The album is incomplete and reflects Eric's life... great potential that was not realized. The sound is dated and of poor quality, but the songs could have been classics if they were finished. It's too bad that Eric never had a chance to release more of his originals with Kiss. Eric was a great drummer that helped take Kiss to a new level even though his talents were underutilized by the group. If you are not an Eric/Kiss fan, you won't buy this album. But, if you are, then you have to.

Yes most of the songs aren't that special but the few that are really ARE.The first songs eyes of love is a spectacular solo effor that should have been a hit.It has some unusual drum work and a killer beat.Head Bang till you drop.The other song worth noting is Can You Feel It.One of the most emotional ballads ive ever herd.I love that song and Eric pours his heart out in it.Beautiful work Eric god rest ya buddy.

Special Thanks to Bruce Kulick who produced and finally had this great work released THANKS MAN

Eric Carr was definitely an underrated performer in this industry. This long awaited release of songs is a treasure to behold. Eric having passed on in 1991 only left us with great memories and a few offerings on KISS albums. The release of this new CD "Rockology" is what any fan of the late KISS drummer has dreamed of. Tracks like "Eyes of Love" Somebody's Waiting" and "Can You Feel It" easily could've been KISS classics and concert staples but they are better off here on his own album with no KISS shadow dwindle this much deserved spotlight. Some songs on this CD are not completed songs (I.E. no vocal tracks) but that doesn't mean they don't rock. Some songs even have a guide vocal to give you an idea on where Eric would've taken the song if he had lived to complete them. Fans continue to purchase demo tapes of bands with no vocals on them all the time, but the difference here is these are all top notch sound quality digitally remastered and produced by longtime band mate & friend Bruce Kulick. Rockology is one journey every KISS fan and Eric fan should partake in.

Eric Carr truely shines on this album. Although it kinda stinks that not all of the songs were completed, the ones that were finished are amazing. "Eyes of love", and "Can you feel it" are great rockers, while "Somebody's waiting" and "Tiara" are very beautiful songs.
Eric's drumming has always stood out on KISS albums, one just needs to listen to the Creatures of the night (1982) album, or "Carr jam 1981" on the Revenge (1992) album to understand that he was one of rocks greatest drummers. Sadly though, his voice was not featured much on KISS's albums. Apparently he did backing vocal duties, but only got to sing lead on a remake of "Beth", (1988's Smashes, Thrashes, and hits), and his own "Little Caesar" (1989's Hot in the shade).
On Rockology, he really does shine, it's a pity that more of his material wasn't used on KISS albums.
R.I.P. Eric Carr (Paul Caravello) 1950-1991

WHOA, the first song "Eyes Of Love" is real hard rocker. Could have been a great KISS classic. Eric Carr was the drummer for KISS after original member Peter Criss left. After 11 years behind the KISS drums (once looking like a tank, once being on top of an elevator) he died much too young after open heart surgery. Even the rest of the songs sounds a lot like KISS classics but after a having a look at the co-writer and - producer of this album you will know why: it is Bruce Kulick, the 4th Kiss guitarist (after Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent and Mark St. John). Carr and Kulick have been working on these songs in the 80's. Most of them are only demo versions (some only have scat vocals). After Carr's death Kulick decided to make a CD out of it. THIS is only for hardcore KISS and Eric Carr fans but for them it is a real treasure. Carr is singing, Kulick is playing the guitar and polished the rough demo versions. They could have made a good selling album out of it and it is very honorable that Kulick did not, seems like Gene Simmons did not hear it before, cause he is the KISS member with the $ in his eyes. Because of that you can hear how these folks create a song, work on the lyrics and try to find the best way to sing it. "Too Cool For School" was written for Carr's band The Rockheads. It shows his attictude and Carr's alter ego coming through in the lyrics. Eric had no problems with being cool. Eric, I really miss you at the drums ... but who knows what would have happened otherwise after the KISS reunion ... Anyway, this CD is a great remembrance! Thanx to Bruce Kulick!!! I rate it with 5 stars though the sound is not the best and some vocals are missing - but this is an album for real fans only and so the rating is as well!

This album contains the spirit of a lot of mainstream 80s rock. And if you are a KISS fan or like 80s rock you definitely need this album.

Eyes Of Love-A completely finished song with with a catchy beat and great lyrics.

Somebodys Waiting-A soft tender rock ballad, which sounds awfully familiar to me (even though this music wasnt supposed to be released until now) Eric Carr shows great vocal skills here.

Heavy Metal Baby-Opens up with heavy guitar playing and unfortunately this song is the first unfinished one (with scant singing from Eric).

Just Cant Wait-A very catchy acoustic-only guitar song....only music with no singing (not even scant vocals) and a drum machine banging out the beats. One of the catchiest on the album, another unfinished song.

Mad Dog-Again another unfinished song the only words you can make out from Eric's scant singing is "Mad Dog! Mad Dog!" The scant vocals are best here however.

You Make Me Crazy-Yet another unfinished song. Cant say too much about this one really...cant remember it from memory

Nightmare-Ah! Another great song (even tho only scant singing) the opening electric guitar sounds rather interesting and the rest of the song is a really wild ride.

Nightmare (Live Demo) (Version)-Same as the one above however it was recorded on a cassete deck with no noise reduction so the guitar sounds live and raw. Also Eric's scant singing in the background tapping out the beat was well. You can hear the cassete deck falling down at the end and Bruce and Eric laughing their heads off.

Too Cool For School-A finished song. Its about mostly about schoolyard rejection from that pretty girl we all could never get in school. And of course its about trying to be cool. Somewhat humurous lyrics here.

Tiara-A soft love song, with a Drum reverb that makes for a great hypnotic effect. One of the best ballads Ive ever heard.

Can You Feel It-A loud metal song. Again it sounds very familiar to me (maybe KISS released a few of his demos to the radio stations ??). Very memorable to me, like Ive heard it before....you probably have to.

Nasty Boys-A song that was amde for Erics cartoon characters called the Rockheads that perfectly shows their rebellious nature.

Its great that Bruce culled together the work tapes containing these songs released this album posthumusly for Eric so we at least would have a chance to glimpse Erics great talent. Its very unfortunate he never had a chance to start his solo career before he tragically died of Heart cancer in the hospital. Im sure he would of made it much farther than his former KISS bandmate Vinnie Vincent, because he was a much better person, easier to get along with (Vinnie himself said that he was the only genuine person in KISS).

Some of the songs on this CD are unfinished demos and the quality is not the best. It is a fun CD though and makes me wish Kiss would have allowed some of his songs to appear on their albums.

As a long time Kiss fan and a fan of the members, both solo and with Kiss. Eric Carr was my favorite Kiss member, simply put - He was the best. I have had this CD since it first came out, Sorry I am so late in doing this review. This CD is one that should not be missed. It has two completed Songs. Eyes of Love and Sombody's Waiting, Then it also has Four more Completed songs that were intended for Eric's Cartoon Project he was working on. In my opinion all 6 Completed songs show Eric's talent flat out. Obviously he can Drum, but he plays other instruments, while best friend Bruce Kulick added Lead Guitar years later. Adam Mitchell plays some keyboards as all three of them wrote the music. The main thing about this CD is Eric's Amazing Vocal talent. On His 6 Completed tracks, the Lead vocals are perfect. The Harmonies and Backrounds are awsome, as Eric sang all Vocals on this CD. The rest of the CD features songs that weren't completed fully. Overall this CD is a must, Along with Kissology Vol 2. THis shows Eric's talents as a singer, and Drummer and a overall performer. Rock on Eric, let Heaven be your concert Stage.