By Stephen Kasenda
KISS “Crazy Nights” (1987)
It's 1987 and pop-metal began spreading like a disease. Bon Jovi and Poison took over the world and Kiss kept up with the competition by releasing "Crazy Nights", which favors the current wave of the time. The result somehow is not disappointing as they achieved platinum status a year later, and three of their singles received heavy rotation on MTV and radio.
"Crazy Crazy Nights" has its own charming shout-along chorus and really could turn your party into a wild wild night. "I'll Fight The Hell To Hold You", "My Way", and "Turn On The Night" are rough-edged melodic rockers and were infectious at the same time - you gotta love ‘em all. "Hell or High Water" sounded 70s but with a major 80s upgrade. "Reason To Live" is the contender to match their massive classic ballad, "Beth". Paul sung his heart out and with the heartbreaking lyric "you can love and get burned, if it has to be", this track is achingly beautiful.
I think the real power behind this album is Paul Stanley, who wrote all of my favorite songs along with Desmond Child and Diane Warren, and carved out the three successful singles while Gene Simmons put out some inferior songs such as "No,No,No", "Good Girl Gone Bad" and "Thief In The Night". Bottom line, this is a great commercial and fun album to enjoy!
Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.
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