Kiss - Crazy Nights (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

A good, solid, pop-metal album

Daniel Maltzman | Arlington, MA, USA | 03/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, I really hated "Crazy Night" when I first heard it. After a few listens, however, it has grown on me. It's not one of their best albums (even from their 80s output) but it's still a fine album.

It's no secret that since "Dynasty," KISS has often embraced the current sound of what is hip for the day. In the late 70s it was disco pop (Dynasty, Unmasked), in the mid 90s it was grunge (Carnival Of Souls), and in the late 80s it was pop-metal with "Crazy Nights." But even if KISS has not always been original, they have, for the most part, always put out good albums. KISS has always had the gift for following a trend, but still make it sound like KISS. KISS's stab at pop-metal works out nicely with this tight, solid collection of songs. One thing that I like about this album is that although it's very slick and has a very glossy production, it's also somewhat dark, as song titles like "I'll Fight Hell to Hold You," and "Good Girl Gone Bad" would suggest. This makes for an interesting contrast.

The KISS lineup of this album was Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Carr, and Bruce Kulick. Paul Stanley has always been one of rock's more underrated singer/songwritters. The albums' highlights' are the Stanley numbers. And his delivery sounds as passionate as ever, especially in the magnificent "I'll Fight Hell to Hold You" and the mid-tempo "Reason to Live," two of the albums' highlights. The Simmon's songs aren't quite as strong, but are still solid, especially the closing track "Thief in the Night." Guitarist Bruce Kulick may not have been as technically gifted or as flashy as Vinnie Vincent or Mark St. John, but he was still a great guitarist. His solos throughout "Crazy Night" are awesome, yet are not over-the-top or self-indulgent. Eric Carr's drumming is exciting and dynamic and gives the songs an added kick.

This CD has a good pace and is about 45 minutes in length. There isn't a whole lot of filler. Some of the songs sound very dated and are somewhat embarrassing-- "Bang Bang You," and "No No No" for example, but even those are fun songs with good, albeit cheesy sing along choruses. All of the songs on "Crazy Nights" have catchy hooks and strong melodies--which ultimately makes the CD a winner. And, as mentioned previously, beneath the gloss and slickness, there is an element of darkness which gives an edginess to the album, which separates "Crazy Nights" from other albums of the pop-metal genre.

In conclusion, although "Crazy Nights" isn't all that original, or the best KISS album, it's still a good CD. If you are a KISS fan and hate this album, I would suggest giving it another spin with an open mind and you may gain a fresh perspective.

"

Lighten up and get ready to rock

Daniel Maltzman | 10/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit that I really like this one. I'll agree it's probably the least heavy Kiss album besides Dynasty and Unmasked, but it's awfully fun. Basically, they tried to be Bon Jovi and Def Leppard who were hot at the time and for my money this is much better than both of them. Most of the songs are Paul's and they are fast, polished, and fun. If you don't want to sing along with Crazy Crazy Nights, Bang Bang You, Reason to Live, and Turn on the Night then you really take yourself and your music way too seriously. Gene's song's are good, but they're not the usual 'demon' inspired stuff that would have made this a perfect 5 star disk. This is the first Kiss album I ever got - I have them all now and I still find myself listening to this one a lot some 12 years later."

By far one of their best.

Mike Clor | Richmond, VA | 07/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has everything a KISS album should have:hard rock anthems, fast-fingured guitar solos, explosive lyrics, heart-felt power balads and the fun spirit of KISS. If I were to recommend a KISS album to anyone it would be this one simply because its just a really fun album that has something for metal fans as well as ballad loving folks. Songs like "I'll Fight Hell to Hold You", "No,No,No", "Hell or High Water" and "Turn on the Night" all contain some of the best guitar work I've heard on a rock album and show that the band still had the same great sound after over 14 years of making music. If you're into depressing, boring and pompous Seattle garage drivel steer clear of this one, but if like high adrenaline, guitar-driven fun metal then this is a must have for your collection. Forget what some pompous self-rightous critic who listens to whatever they hear on corporate radio or M TV tells you, this is a great C.D. and if you like KISS, you'll love this album."

These are crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy nights!

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 02/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The opening title track is one of KISS's declaratory anthems that not only is about them but on life in general. Paul Stanley is giving a directly thanks you to the fans and to the listener when he sings "You are my people/you are my crowd/This is our music/We love it loud." Right between the eyes, oops, that was from another album. Other inspiring lyrics include "If life is a radio, turn up to ten." and "Yeah, and nobody's gonna change me/'cause that's who I am." Why this didn't make it on the Smashes, Thrashes & Hits I have no idea, but this song alone is worth buying the album.Normally, in a group sporting more than one lead vocalist, I need a good mix, but with "Bang Bang You," which is the third song in a row from Paul, following the hurricane that was "I'll Fight Hell To Hold You," it's reasonable. "Bang Bang You" incorporates the title words from an earlier album: "I'll shoot you down with my love gun, baby."The relentless "No, No, No" is Gene's first song on the album and he gets plenty of support from Bruce and Eric. It almost makes me forget about Gene. Comparing his vocals here and Hot In The Shade makes me wonder if something happened inbetween these two albums. His voice is fine here and on the other songs he does."My Way" is another valuable gem of a KISS anthem, with an inspirational synthesizer accompanying Paul. Basically it's about doing things one's way and to heck with everyone else. Examples: "It's tough to be strong in a world that makes you crawl... I'm never gonna give up in the fight," "I'm never gonna run, I'm never gonna tell myself a lie/'Cause after it's all said and done, I've got the right to decide." And the message is there to see from the chorus: "I'm gonna talk like I talk, walk like I walk, my way/I'm gonna go where I go, ain't taking no, my way/And if you don't play my game, I won't play/I'm gonna do it my way." Tell'em, Paul! The same music style can be found on the equally vibrant "Turn On The Night," also sung by Paul."Reason To Live," which follows the crunchfest of "When Your Walls Come Down," ranks as one of the best power ballads of all time. Again, why wasn't this included on Smashes, Thrashes, Hits? "Thief In The Night," which closes the album, is a slow rocker, and was covered by Wendy O'Williams on her W.O.W. album. Ron Nevison, who resurrected the careers of Heart and Ozzy Osbourne, produced Crazy Nights, puzzling as Animalize and Asylum were very popular KISS albums. Oh well, maybe he figured he was on a roll. I have to admit that Gene is my favorite KISS singer, but on this album, Paul wins hands down--he's incomparable here. This is a different sound for KISS, but I attribute that to Ron Nevison's production. (Compare his work on Heart and Bad Animals to their early 1980's stuff) Then there's Bruce Kulick's guitars, which don't sound the same on Asylum. Eric Carr's drumming is more pronounced than ever. Next stop, the sphinx and Hot In The Shade."

Turn On the Night with Crazy Nights!

Burma S. Johnson | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My 3rd favorite KISS Album of all-time. Crazy Nights was the (...) growing up in the late 80's and being a teenager when it was released made it even better. I love almost every song on Crazy Nights and here's a quick review:

#1: "Crazy, Crazy Nights" Awesome from beginning to end, sounds even better in concert! 5 stars.

#2: "I'll Fight Hell To Hold You" Good song, too bad it was never played live. 3 stars.

#3: "Bang Bang You" Another awesome song BUT the live version of this song from Tokyo Japan in April of 1988 BLOWS the studio version AWAY! 5 stars.

#4: "No, No, No" decent song from Gene and co-wrote by Eric and Bruce. The guitar intro is great. 3 stars.

#5: "Hell Or High Water" My 9th favorite KISS song. I've loved this song since the first time I heard it back in '87. 5 stars.

#6: "My Way" Great Paul song with great vocals. KISS has always done it their way :) 4 stars.

#7: "When Your Walls Come Down" Cool song, love the lyrics. 4 stars.

#8: "Reason To Live" Awesome ballad from Paul. This song is so good! I just wish they would play it again live ;( 5 stars.

#9: "Good Girl Gone Bad" Cool song, love the opening riff from Gene. 3 stars.

10: "Turn On the Night" My 7th favorite KISS song, GOD I love this one. But it's never been played live ;( WHY? 5 stars.

11: "Thief in The Night" Great song from Gene, one of Gene's best songs from the CRAZY 80's :) 5 stars.

Don't have Crazy Nights? Then you're NOT a TRUE member of the KISS Army!"

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