Search - Paul Stanley, Kiss :: Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley's Chance to REALLY Express Himself

Jeremy | Canada | 01/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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 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."

Paul Stanley IS Kiss

Sing Brotha Sing | California | 12/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The real Kiss sound

The Punisher | 01/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down,Stanley's album proved that it was his contributions that gave the sound the real Kiss sound indeed. This album goes through many moods but never stops being a rocker and an instant classic in my book. Clearly, Paul wrote from his heart and this one was no exceptions. The guest stars are awesome and help Paul get his message across,nothing tricky just rock and roll"