I never thought there would be a worse rock-dinosaur solo album than Gene Simmons' "Asshole", but a mere two years later, here it is.
I'm no grizzled veteran rock journo, but I like to think I'm streetwise enough to know what to expect when I slam a classic rock icon; even if I didn't know it before, the flood of vitriol directed at my Neil Diamond review last year would have been more than enough to clue me in on this fact of life.…
Article comments
26 - riz
THANK YOU ZACH!!!!
You are spot on. I couldnt have said it better, well actually I wouldve been even more harsh. I have been a Kiss Fanatic since 1976 and theres no way anyone could say i dont love Paul Stanley, shit, he influenced my life. But there comes a time when you have to call it ike it is, see the truth and GROW THE FUCK UP. Live to Win???Are you kidding me? These songs are the worst cliched immature contrived collection of drivel ever....my fellow kiss fans are such idiots that they were actually PROUD of the fact that South Park used Live To Win in a montage! It just goes to show you that most Kiss fans are as clueless and out of touch with relevant populist culture as much as Paul and Gene are. Pauls voice is so annoying now, YES he is OFF KEY most of the time you idiots out there, I have taught music for 20 years!!!!! And to the Idiot ranting about Vinnie Vincent, Paul and Gene should get down on their knees and thank the gods that Vinnie had such talent. Every song on Lick It Up is his, assholes, Paul and Gene pay people off for their songs, they dont write anything and havent for YEARS. Fuck, I cant even write anymore....Im gonna go crank up Keep Me Comin' off of the Creatures album, when Paul Stanley slaughtered all other singers....
PEACE.
27 - Hairpie Wells
Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy
28 - Dave Stacy
In addition, we reserve the right to edit/delete comments that are some combination of pointlessly vulgar, vile, cruel, without redeeming qualities, and an embarrassment to the site.
29 - Brady
This review isn't about Stanley's new CD, its about Paul Stanley's age and chest hair according to Zach.
Paul Stanley doesn't need the money. So why does he put out new music?...He's an artist.
Zach, when you get alittle "older", you'll realize age doesn't matter. Rock n Roll has been around now for about 50 years, and we're all finding out as we go, that rock and rollers don't quit due to an age number. Chuck Berry is 80...
30 - Vern Halen
Johnny Ramone once said there should be a mandatory r'n'r retirement age at 40. Hard to agree or disagree. Chuck Berry at 80? Paul Stanley at...whatever? I'm OK with keepin' on keepin' on, but you gotta know when to bow out graciously.
As for Simmons, Stanley, Kiss, etc. - depends how you see it, I guess. I know you can't write a hit every time out, but if they know themselves they're doggin' their product, they should pack it in.
31 - Zach
Brady:
Nah, I'm pretty sure I said the CD sucked ass, too.
As for my alleged ageism, I didn't intend to make sweeping generalizations. The best aging musicians make music that makes their age irrelevant; most of the new records I've purchased lately, in fact, have been by people who are in fact OLDER than Stanley - like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, etc. The reason why I haven't written reviews discussing THOSE musicians' greying hair and sagging manboobs is that, unlike Stanley, their current careers aren't a combination of vain grasps at past glories (the neverending KISS "farewell tour") and embarrassing attempts at musical relevancy ("Live to Win"). Stanley brings the ageist comments on himself because he's so clearly unable to face his age gracefully - just look at all that Botox!
Finally, it's my sincere hope that when I get older I'll still know bullshit when I see it - even if it is coming from a dude who did some great stuff when I was a teenager.
32 - Brady
Ok Zach. We are all entitled to our opinions. I'll admit I'm a long-time Kiss fan, so I'm biased. I think Stanley is a great entertainer.
I guess it comes down to attitude. You can keep trying, creating, fighting, living to win... til you die, or you can roll over and give up. I side with Stanley.
33 - Paul
You suck ass Zach
34 - Zach
Paul:
What I do on my my own time is none of your concern.
35 - kami
hell, i've about given up on kiss - i was stupid enough to go to the reunion/farewell concert here in adelaide in 97 and the buggers are still going 9 years later! but that review has made me actually want to listen to Paul's album just to see if it really is as bad as Gene's album.
There was a time when kiss were the band for me but i grew up, they didn't i guess. Still, it's hard to fathom these greedy old farts with the band that made me feel like i wasn't the only weird ass in town back in 1975... the shit i copped back then for liking those 'faggots'
36 - Jeff W
Actually, I understand the disappointment... but, I still feel the assessment is inaccurate. While I wish the album were heavier or more like the '78 solo... it has absolutely grown on me. At first all the modern guitarwork makes you take a step back being combined with Paul... plus, all us KISS fans are generally getting tired of hearing everyone but the KISS members prominently featured on the instruments! Here, Paul's guitarwork is still there and you can actually pick it out when you listen, only it is definitely covered up quite a bit with the modern guitarists. John 5 shows up, but blink and you miss him... and, he doesnt even crack the lid of the bottle of his talent on this. A few rockers would have been nice. The only song I dislike is Second To None... I am ok with cheesy lyrics... but there is a limit... and this one totally exceeds it. The other slower songs are much better. Bulletbroof is a great song... as are a few others. When I first listened to "Live to Win" the song, I was underwhelmed, but it has grown on me and seeing Paul live during his tour solidified the song for me. For whatever reason, I am not a fan of Lift... I think its the chorus actually... its anticlimatic. Anyway, is this album up to Paul's full abilities? HELL NO... but, is it a bad album... FK NO! Its actually very good. I enjoy some pop stuff like Avril and Clarkson... and you can hear alot of that in this album... especially if you throw some of these good songs into your MP3 player on shuffle... here and there something comes on and I am like... hmmm for the first few seconds.. and then I am like... "oh... Paul... COOL". Actually, the songs are even beter with headphones on because there is alot more texturing and layering going on that is evident in a listen on a regular stereo. Anyway... this album CAN be disappointing in terms of living up to expectations... however, I still think it is at least a very good album. The biggest knock I have on it is that its too damn short... had Paul given us 4 more rocking songs in addition to what is on here (AND, please, just drop SECOND TO NONE!!!) it likely would have gone over muh better. If you havent heard the album... dont believe this album sucks.... there is no way in hell it SUCKS... and if you know Paul at all, you know in your heart he could never be a part of an entire album of songs that sucks... shame on you for even believing that is possible!
37 - Way2GoPaul
This review was right about Stanley's "Live to Win". But the problem with this CD is really the title. Had it been called oh, let's say, "Paul Stanley: Electric Boogaloo," with the exact same songs on it, who could complain at the lameness? I mean, really. But as it is, with a title like "Live to Win," you don't expect to be listening to a neutered hasbeen grooming himself for American Idol.
38 - aussie
i think this album really shows Pauls age - vocally he does not cut it anymore. I love Kiss but he strugles to hit it with this album.
39 - Vito!
Dunno what to say .. but am a new kiss fan .. didnt find that paul shouldn't sing alone =)
But i like the words .. the words he write .
i like him (but The whole band are better)
Cheers
40 - claudio
Paul is a great songwritter and the best frontman in history of rock. Regarding Paul's age......I do not see any other rocker in his 50s that can release a modern rock album like this..
41 - Vince
I am a huge KISS fan. Paul's album has grown on me. When I first heard it, I would have to say I was not jumping for joy. But I didn't hate it. It was cool to have something new. I saw Paul in San Francisco supporting the album and the show was awesome. He sounde great and the songs sounded heavier and alot better live. Paul was meant to be seen live
42 - woods
If anyone is looking for the Paul Stanley banter album "People let me get this off my chest" you can download it here.
43 - Tim
"amous rug of chest hair is going grey", "old queen", "Botox-expressionless face". And what exactly does any of that have to do with his music? We'll see how the ageist author of this article is doing when he hits 50!
44 - daveh
It's more than just Botox that's made him expressionless. Between the pile of Dacron Polyester glued on top of his head and the pounds of plastic surgically implanted inside his face, the man is a walking fire hazard.