The KISS Solo Projects, Who Had the Best on Three Sides Of The Coin
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Visit www.ThreeSidesO... and join the conversation. Three Sides of the Coin is a KISS podcast featuring Michael Brandvold, Mitch Lafon and Tommy Sommers.
In episode #17 we discuss the KISS solo albums and the post solo releases by Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick, Eric Carr, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. What are each of our favorite releases.
Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS' official website. Mitch Lafon, a renowned rock journalist, first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1980 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers, a successful residential real estate agent in the Minneapolis St. Paul metro area, has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.
It's only our opinion... it's neither right nor wrong.
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Three Sides Of The Coin is unofficial & unsanctioned and has no affiliation with the band KISS.
Michael, Your mic has the best eq out of the three but it needs more volume to make all three equal. They are louder than you! Not that I can't hear you but, just something I noticed.
Thanks for checking us out, hope you enjoy all the shows.
Thanks so much, hope you enjoy the other episodes.
Thank you.
Frehley's Comet I think was A very Strong Album. The band was solid, Ace a had point to prove and I think he did it with class. It sold like almost 500,000 copies
Pretty Competitive!!!!
Loved the production, the song writing, the vocals, the lead guitars.
Words are not enough.... Absolutely great song. Excellent mention Tommy.
Thanks guys
I couldn't agree more with that. Kramer's work with KISS met the standards of the day with great simplicity. He illustrates both of our points well.
I still love to listen to Ace's & Paul's first solo albums in their entirety to this day.
No one ever did it like them. You don't see many players who play the chords an octave higher. It gave the sound a jangle, and it sure sounded huge. Ace took this with him. It became more standard (like AC/DCish) when Ace left.
The way they worked together also influenced the way I play rhythm guitar. I learned to play both parts at the same time, which has influenced the way I write riffs.
The four solo albums, released Sept. 18, 1978. The 18th anniversary of the death of Jimi Hendrix. My order: Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss.
Exactly my point, its all just personal opinions as to what sounds good to your ear.
Indeed, he does! Good call!
Great choice. Love all of them
sept 78 got all 4 at once ON release day. went freaking nuts
Live to Win AND Paul's Solo album in MY estimation are head and shoulders above the rest.I sometimes wonder how far Paul could have went... on his own.I thought Peter's was crappy.It would be ok if you were your your granddad. Gene's had some COOL stuff. Man of a thousand faces.Ode to Lon Chaney sr.Ace's rocked ass.I wish Paul COULD have a solo career. I played love in chains on drums fall '78 in an 8th grade talent show. ALWAYS loved Paul.
Best of the Bunch: 1) Live to Win 2) Trouble Walkin 3)Let Me Rock You
Best unreleased demo: 1) Back into My Arms-Ace Frehley a great song!. Question: Waiting for the Morning Light sounds like their is some cheap Casio keyboard in the background or am I dreaming?
However, I will give credit to Gene as I enjoyed Sweet and Dirty and Carnival of Souls . I think with Gene he either hits the mark or miss by a mile.
True Confessions!
Wow! That amazes me. Crazy Nights and HITS are the two KISS albums that I NEVER listen to. I listen to Unmasked and Dynasty more than those two records. I compare the 4 albums due to all of them having a "pop production."
Alive! is my favorite record of all time. It's what got me into KISS. It's what made me want to play guitar and be a musician. Alive II is very awesome, but Crazy Nights? WHEW! Also, not to drag Alive III into this, but I can't believe you would rate THAT album higher
I had all of the solo albums and I say 1.Paul 2.ACE3.Gene ..............4 Peter?
It's hard to try and rank the albums against each other as they all have different styles. I really like all of Ace's solo records and Peter's 2nd post KISS album. I also enjoyed the White Tiger record a lot. I'll have to go with a tie for some of these: 1. Ace Frehley - Anomaly. 2. Frehley's Comet/2nd Sighting/Trouble Walkin'. 3. Peter Criss - Let Me Rock You/White Tiger.
LOOOOOOVEEEEE YOUR PODCAST!!! :)
YOU HAVE A BIG FAN HERE IN CROATIA! :)
Bit difficult to use a windscreen on a iphone headset mic.
Top 3 solo records post-KISS:
-Bruce Kulick: BK3, an amazing album (5/5)
-Paul Stanley: Live To Win (4.5/5)
-Union: The Blue Room (4.5/5)
Imagine Paul and Ace together....that would be sweet.
Ace's licks with Paul's riffs and vocals.
Love Alive III. Fav albums... RARO, Destroyer, Revenge, Crazy Nights. Fav live... Alive II, Alive III then Alive!.
Thanks, I wish I could say we changed something to improve things, but we didn't. The quality of the internet connection has the greatest impact on each recording, something we have very little ability to change.
It seems to play out like this.
Best recieved solo projects- Paul and Ace, and Gene's 78 album having mixed response.
Most prolific output - Ace with 5 albums, and Peter with 4 ( I think, and this includes the '78 albums)
Least popular- Vinnie Vincent, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons "Asshole".
The remaining members projects thus far seem unable to really blossom.
I never cared for the argument "I didn't like that song because the sound wasn't thick enough," or "the production isn't good, so it sucks." That's a poor excuse. A good song is a good song. The recording quality is just a technicality. I like some KISS demos that were unreleased and don't sound "perfect." That's just a "spoiled ear."
I have a similar opinion about Peter's solo album as Tommy. I grew up not just on straight ahead rock and heavy metal, I also grew up on the blues, pop (the first band I loved was The Beatles...which then morphed into KISS), R&B, etc. So his album didn't turn me off at all. Plus, I could finally play something KISS related at parties and such and not be told to turn it off by my elders....
Yeah, I'm with Michael on this one. Remember that any new record has to compete with what's out there with the current technology, and poor production quality means your album won't get airplay. Maybe not everyone agrees on some of the finer points, but the basics have got to be there or it won't be able to compete in the first place.
And just to say, I'm not bashing your personal taste, I think it's cool you like to listen to the raw music. I'm a musician myself, so I'm giving insight as to why, when it comes to the biz, production becomes important, and it's not just a matter of 'spoiled ears'.
This is true. No one talks a lot about their twin guitar work, a very overlooked aspect of KISS.
Dana Strum had a lot to do with making All Systems Go a more commercial effort and trying to play to VV's strengths and play down the ridiculous playing. At least that's what Dana told me.
Hi. I have not heard all the members' solo works but my favorite post-solo-album solo albums would be: Frehley's Comet's "Second Sighting", Peter Criss' "Out of Control" and Paul Stanley's "Live to Win." For different reasons, all three of those albums mean something to me. :)
Paul's album was the most like a Kiss record, with a softer edge.Peter's was the music he probably listened to growing up little to do with hard rock.Gene's had the most variety showing off his influences,The Beatles,Disney and is my joint favourite with Ace's.Which is the rocker and the recording has the most energy,even the more MOR tracks have a harder edge.Speedin' Back To My Baby has my favourite opening notes to any of his solo's where it sounds as if his guitar is about to break.
1. Frehley's Comet2. Vinnie Vincent Invasion - All Systems Go3. White Tiger
46:01 - Mike: "I think the letter U is a weak letter to start a band name with".
Would you argue that 'Ultravox' is a great band name?
Ace's is rockin'. Probably my favorite out of the '78 albums so far, although i am not too familiar with the other's just yet. But i am more into guitar as a whole so....
Thanks. I think Peter's solo record is great! We have to stick together!!
Hey Guys, several European countries had different versions of "Best Of Solo", and Germany had even several editions with different sequences of songs. So the song sequence that you mention I never even saw...
Mitch!! The Union albums were checked full of heavy drop-d riffs! I thought they played well to the KISS/Crue audience.
my opinion on this: 3. best would be Eric's Rockology, then 2. Ace's Trouble Walking and the 1. i think would be Vinnie's All Systems Go or BK3 By Bruce.
I agree with you on Vinnie's 2nd album.To this day I still think it's great.That Time of Year is 1 hell of a song still and Ashes to Ashes kick ass. Vinnie did tame down on his solos a lot on All Systems Go which makes it much better than his 1st album
Gene's is my favorite. The most creative of all the four. (Jeff S)
My picks from best to worst:
1. Ace. Ozone and rip it out are classics.
2. Paul. 'Tonight you belong to me' to me is epic along with " it's alright" and unchained"
3. Gene Simons is third because it's forgettable.
4. Peter Criss' was nothing more than a vehicle for him to stroke his own ego by trying to re-create "Beth" ten times in a row. The only thing missing from "Baby don't you let me down" was Barry Manilow's back up vocals.
Well, at least we agree on RARO. lol. I realize great songs like "Detroit Rock City" would have never happened if it weren't it weren't for Ezrin, but there are also some songs on Destroyer that I think might have been better if produced by Eddie Kramer (sorry for continuing to worship Kramer, but all my favorite KISS records are produced by him... and Michael James Jackson... heh).
Thanks for the awesome discussion, Michael.
Crazy Nights is a great album. My only complaint production wise is Gene's bass eq sounds a little thin, but it seems like that was becoming the standard at that time, because I was noticing that with other recordings even then (I'm a bass player, so perhaps I'm biased). Again, no one will agree on the finer points of a mix, but an album that doesn't have at least the minimal standards won't be able to compete with what's out there.
I don't mind when KISS goes to the pop sound, that's just me. However, the two songs I can't stand AT ALL on "Crazy Nights" are "Turn on the Night" and "My Way". I would like it way better without those two songs, but I like everything else. "Creatures" was a near perfect album, same for "Revenge". Take the best tunes off "Animalize" and "Asylum" and put them together, you would have a great album.
I liked Gene's '78 album just fine. "Mr. Make Believe" was great, I don't care what Tommy says about that one, lol!
I loved the 1st Union album...2nd was so-so
my mom was so against spending money on records, but she broke down and bought me the ace album when it came out....
#3. One For All- Peter Criss
#2. Live to Win- Paul Stanley
#1. Frehley's Comet- Ace Frehley
Homework is done, now can I go outside and play guys?
Amen Tommy!!!!!!!!! It's about time someone defended Peters solo record. I thought I was the only person alive that liked it. People first heard it and thought...It doesn't sound like KISS so it must suck. Very wrong. Great songs on it. Thanks for being honest.
Great podcast. Mitch, tell us how you REALLY feel about @@@hole. :-) My top three: Frehley's Comet , Trouble Walking and Anomaly.
Personal taste. Which is what all music is.
Something moved is HEAVY
I can tell you this much, for one, Eddie Kramer is a going to give you a good mix on anything because he is a genius at what he does. That being said, the first KISS albums didn't do well to begin with, in part because of the production quality, so the point is made. As I said, not everyone will agree with the finer points of a mix, but there are basic standards to be met.
Agreed
YES Tommy! Cheap Trick 97' on Red Ant is a classic Cheap Trick record that got no financial support. Could have been their comeback album. I was blown away when I heard that album.
Tommy! How can you dig Peter's "Pat Boone" version of Tossin' and Turnin' compared to Bobby Lewis' ????
I am also a musician, recording engineer, work in a record store, etc. My insight is based on the fact that I would say I prefer Alive! to Destroyer. Reason? Alive s mixed well, yet not over polished. Same with Love Gun, in my opinion. Everything sounds fantastic on those Eddie Kramer albums, but no KISS album produced by Kramer is necessarily "polished." However, Kramer brought out the best of KISS. No over production or "tricks" necessary.
1. Live to Win
2. Frehley's Comet
3. Anomaly
I loved the Vinnie Vincent releases, it is crazy over the top, but there are some great songs and great melodies on those releases! It was bit of a circus, but even still, I liked it a lot and still do!
Mitch!! Do you honestly think that Ace had the ability to sing "Calling to You"?
1: Anomaly
2: Vinny Vincent Invasion
3: Eric Singer Project* "Lost & Spaced"
* Sure its all cover songs but its still a solo project from a KISS member.
As for the original solo albums.
1: Paul
2: Ace
3: Peter
3: Gene
Worst overall solo release is a tie between Gene's asshole and Peter's 2007 abomination record.
In all fairness,I am not familiar with quite a bit of,Mark St.John.Vinnie's ,Eric Carr's solo efforts or post KISS recordings.I should really spend some time and listen to Bruce's stuff.The problem is that Bruce is not really a lead vocalist. Peter's Let Me rock you,I've never heard.After ,78 ,Out of control, Cat 1,A41bad reviews, I thought I'd given him enough support.My top 3: Frehley's Comet,Live to Win,Trouble Walkin' . The Wendy O' Williams Lp featured
G&P songs,special guest,G,P,A,EC.
How did you hear about it?
Part of Ace having those three great solo albums (his 78' one, Frehley's Comet, and Trouble Walkin') was Eddie Kramer producing. Second Sighting and Anomaly don't have Eddie producing.
Tommy ... I am shocked that you prefer the R&RO version of "See You In Your Dreams" over Gene's solo album version ...lol. I always preferred the remake, and found the original lacking in feeling and dynamics. But to each his own. Nice to hear you guys debating this stuff (JEFF S).
Well, since we can't mention the '78 solo albums, then I have to give Paul Stantely's "Live to Win" the #1 slot with a star by it. Paul is just the superior singer/writer/performer of the bunch. Ace Frehley "Frehley's Comet" gets #2, and perhaps "Trouble Walking" #3, but I'm not crazy about Ace's vocals. None of Peter's make the list, and Gene's "Asshole" disappointed me.
It's the end of the original guitar solo for the tune back-tracked.
Ace's album is the only one I listen to today
Favorite post '78 solo-album: Paul Stanley's Live To Win... no competition! I really hopes he makes some more solo records. And I agree with Tommy on the LTW-touring band: a truly horrible bunch.
i agree with Mitch...Ace,s solo album is the best by a mile.....but thats only my opinion....i still listen to it now and those songs havn,t dated at all.....if Fracture Mirror doesnt make the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you listen to it your not Alive!!!!!!
Top 3 Kiss solo
1. Vinnie Vincent Invasion (honestly, I really do love this one!)
2. Frehley's Comet: Second Sighting
3. Paul Stanley: Live to Win
Frehley's Comet, Rockology, & Live To Win
I love listening to you guys discuss Kiss, but I also wish you'd go a little deeper in your analysis. For example, the major differences between Peter's 2 post-Kiss solo albums are (1) LMRY was produced by Vini Poncia, (2) OOC had Peter playing the drums on all tracks, and (3) OOC was a Penridge-heavy effort, like Peter's '78 solo, and (4) Peter *claims* to have been less gakked on blow during the making of LMRY. Throwing these aspects into your discussion would have been cool. "First Day in the Rain" should have been mentioned as a huge deep cut for Peter. It's fantastic. Peter is a Roxy Music fan, so his cover of "Jealous Guy" is actually the Roxy Music cover of the John Lennon song. Peter's mother told him "don't go where the bad boys go" when he was a kid, and that was the inspiration for "Bad Boys." I always thought that was Peter also did one of the greatest Kiss-related covers with Mark St. John with "Do You Know What I Mean?" in 1990. That track should have been re-recorded on Cat #1. I agree with you that One For All is a turd, but give us specific examples of why you hate it. No one talks about "Whisper" from that album, but it's actually great....well-sung, well-written, and well-performed, and it's extremely un-Kiss-like, so it's worth a mention.
Not any longer, I switched back to a iPhone headest.
1. Trouble walkin
2. BK3
3. ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Live to win
What exactly do you like about Crazy Nights? I think it's the antithesis of what the KISS sound (especially at the time) was all about. I thought COTN through Asylum were all pretty impressive (spare for a few songs on Animalize and Asylum). It was a big turn off for me going from "speed metal KISS" to an almost immediate change to a pop sound. I wouldn't become interested in KISS again until I heard "Unholy." I completely agree with Gene's bass sound AND playing on that record.
For me, it would be Ace, Paul, Gene, then Peter.
#1 Frehley's Comet, #2 Live to Win, #3 Anomaly.
I think Mitch and Tommy nailed the whole Vinnie Vincent Invasion problem. The lead singer wasn't a charismatic standout and the songs did indeed lack a melodic structure. The guitar playing was very good and interesting, but unless you're a guitar fanatic most people like songs that have catchy memorable bits, ear pleasing melodies, and entertaining story lines and lyrics. It's hard to listen to a lot of VVI songs because your mind wanders due to the lack of the above hooking elements.
'It's Alright' by Paul is the best song on any Kiss solo album, as I see it. Also, c'mon guys, you're not giving 'I Can't Stop the Rain' enough credit. It's a great song.
That's your opinion. While I respect your opinion, there are plenty of people that would disagree. The first two KISS albums are perfect examples.
A "LITTLE" off. What the hell was I thinking. Hendrix died Sept. 18, 1970. Even with the new math, I believe that's 8 years. Thanks for your help David.
Malmsteen had some great singers!!!!!!
I disagree with the comment concerning Yngwie's singers. He had some great singers. Joe Lynn Turner, Goran Edmund, Marc Boals, Jeff Scott Soto. I do agree that the majority of his songs are far too much centered around the guitar and not the melody and song structure, but there are a number of releases that have solid songs, check out Trilogy, Fire and Ice, Eclipse, Odyssey
funny part at start of podcast show
1. Paul: Live to Win
2. Vinnie: Invasion (chew on THAT one, bitch) ;-)
3. Ace: Frehley's Comet
Means nothing to me, not a Skynyrd fan so production or not I don't listen to it. But quality of a song can definitely impact if someone likes a song. Remember it is personal taste and can influence taste. This is not a absolute.
Ace's is my favorite. Great songs throughout the album. Paul's is a very, very close second and very under rated. Gene's album is a precursor to "The Elder," if you ask me. Peter's just doesn't do it for me. I like the style of music he was going for, I just thought the songs were nothing special.
As for the later "solos"... I have to give it to Vinnie Vincent's 1st one. Not because it's "awesome," but because I just don't like the rest! Paul's "Live To Win" needs a harder edged band!
Ace and Genes were the good ones.
Ace's is far and away the best. Full stop. No debate.
I take that back. I just listened to some stuff from Asshole and it's so awful it makes One For All seem like a masterpiece. Yeah, it's that horrible. Further vindicates the fact that Gene wouldn't be anything in the world of music and rock n' roll without Paul.
And as an afterthought, Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter are KISS, separately, they are people! Together, awesome! Apart, incomprehensible! Meaning, they suck!
Personally, Frehley's Comet worked because of Tod Howarth's vocals. Ace simply is not strong enough vocally to carry a whole album (in my opinion).
I've honestly never "liked a song" based on whether or not it competes with the current recording technology or airplay. A great example of this is KISS's first demo, recorded on a 4 track recorder by Eddie Kramer. The first two KISS albums were recorded on "more advanced recording technology" at the time. Do the first two KISS albums sound better than the Eddie Kramer demo? I don't think so! Just my opinion!