From: Rob Gabbard

I downloaded all of MP3's and I've given the whole album a half dozen listens so I thought I'd weigh in with my opinion, for what it's worth...

Psycho Circus - this is one of the strongest tunes this band has *EVER* done. I expect to hear alot of airplay for this one on the same stations that have acts like Metallica/Megadeth in their rotation (e.g. WEBN in Cincinnati). A good video could get it alot of eMTptyV airtime too.

Within - this one should've stayed on the COS cutting room floor. Dunno, it might grow on me.

I Pledge Allegiance - mediocre Paul song redeemed by the best solo on the album. This actually sound more like an Ace-penned song.

Into The Void - typical Ace song. Could've been on any of his solo albums. I'll add that I love Ace's playin' but hate his songwriting so this one doesn't do much for me. It lacks the killer rythym track of a Rocket Ride or Rip It Out.

We Are One - Someone either put Gene out of his misery or tell him to join Hootie and the Blowfish. I can't believe all of the people that are puttin' down Peter for IFFMY when Gene is puttin' out this fluff. At least Pete is just pennin' the same stuff he always has.

You Wanted The Best - Love it. Fun song ala Spit and Love Her All I Can. I'd like to see this one live with an extended jam from every member. That would be a little too impromptu for the by-the-script KISS live show though.

Raise Your Glasses - this one could've been from the HITS cutting room floor. Holly Knight be damned.

I Finally Found My Way - as a Peter Criss song it's probably one of the best he's done. As a KISS song it doesn't quite fit. I like it mind you - it's just REALLY out of place here.

Dreamin' - just a slight rewrite of the dozen other power ballads Paul has done.

Journey Of 1000 Years - Great tune and one of the most mature I've heard Gene and KISS in general do. Gene is the one member whose writing seems to have really matured thru the years. That doesn't mean his tunes are always good (e.g. We Are One) but at least we get something a little different and more timely. A good close to the album.

Summary: as a whole I would put album slightly ahead of the drivel that KISS put out in the '80's. But it pales in comparison to Revenge, Creatures and certainly Destroyer.

Except for the title track, Paul has reverted back to the '80s. Gene's contribution is alot like his solo album - very inconsistent with flashes of brilliance (e.g. Journey) along with outright blasphemy (e.g. We Are One). And Peter and Ace are as Peter and Ace have always have been. I'm am disappointed with the lack of flash by Ace. I would ve enjoyed more axe work like the solo on I Pledge.

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