KISS - Crazy Nights (1987)
Members:
Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
Gene Simmons – bass guitar, vocals
Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals; bass guitar on "Hell or High Water"
Additional Recording Personnel:
Phil Ashley – keyboards
Tom Kelly – backing vocals
Crazy Nights is the 14th studio album by American hard rock band Kiss, recorded from March to June 1987 and released on September 21, 1987 by Mercury and Vertigo in Europe. This was the second album to feature the new line-up of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Bruce Kulick, and Eric Carr.
Producer:
Ron Nevison
First Impressions:
WOW!!!
Post make-up KISS was a weird time for the band all around but it did show off a more musically flexible band when they weren't attempting to ride the Hair Metal coat tails of other more notable bands of the period. Crazy Nights is admittedly a favorite of mine because it feels great to listen to, even today. Now also admittedly, it hasn't aged all that well, it feels like a child of the 80's with all its cliches and tropes of the time. Now we all know KISS is no stranger to radio friendly albums, they were doing that since the beginning to various points and really made a career out of it since 1978's "Dynasty" with all of its production tricks and more approachable songs, including their disco based hit "I Was Made For Loving You". This band unmasked in 1983 on MTV at the release of their "Lick It Up" album and that ushered in a more musically driven band that for all intents and purposes experimented a lot more, and at times hit the target...other times however, not so much. However, after a couple line up changes and a couple of good attempts at creating a great 80's KISS album, we come to 1987's "Crazy Nights". From the start this album felt like a whole band effort (despite all the outside co-writers on the songs), it didn't feel slapped together with an obvious single dimension to it (Paul did most of the song writing and played other parts on the previous 2 records since Gene was too busy trying to be a Hollywood star at the time). This album is a much better attempt at a great KISS album, although it has it's detractors....but just how good is it now? Let's strap on our waders and slog through all the 80's tropes track by track and see what's what....Let's Do This!!
1."Crazy Crazy Nights"3:47
We start with the title track of this on and it kicks off actually pretty nice...a healthy "Wooo!!" from Paul then a little spoken dedication to the audience who is listening. Paul is great at throwing in banter on studio tracks as if this was always live, it really helps immerse you in their music. The lyrics are of the semi defiant anthemic variety and they do feel good. The pace is mid tempo power pop style hard rock. This track reeks of radio play fodder but it holds its integrity with the excellent musicianship throughout. This is a great track that still holds its own today. The video is cool too.
2."I'll Fight Hell to Hold You"4:10
One of those KISS songs that has a sense of grandeur and urgency in the main riff. Another somewhat anthemic price of lyric writing in this one but centered around a couple and not a group. This is another well executed song in every way that matters and still would hold up well today in any tangible way. It hits all the right chords for a hard rock song, and the solo from Bruce at the end is absolutely great.
3."Bang Bang You" 3:53
Now we start with what I would call filler to a degree. This is a typical KISS track that plays out in a very tongue in cheek way. Full of innuendo and double meanings within its kinda trite lyrics. However even saying all that it's a well played piece of fun...it's just not as moving as a lot of other track on this album, and if it disappeared from the album, it probably wouldn't be noticed.
4."No, No, No"4:19
Nice guitar work starts this track, which traditions into a sort of Van Halen rip off type of song. It's a Gene piece, and that is usually hit or miss....and this one is a miss in all ways. As far as I am concerned the title of this one is the same as my feelings for it...No, No, No indeed.
5."Hell or High Water" 3:28
Nice 80's KISS riffing on this one, another Gene track but this one fares much better in my opinion. The lyrics are a bit trite but all in all It's not a bad track at all. I like the feel of the song as a whole and the chorus backing vocals are mixed in well. The Bruce solo is solid as well...all in all this is a really good deep track and deserves a serious listen.
6."My Way"3:58
This screams 80's movie sound track...but it was not ever used as one. This is a track loaded with commercial radio friendly tropes. It's weighed down with keyboards and trite lyrics that would fit in a Karate Kid film...this is a massively commercial track, but like everything else it was done well and fits in this album as a whole. I do like this song but this is one that didn't age as well as others...it is definitely from the 80's.
7."When Your Walls Come Down" 3:25
Interesting short intro into a "Let's Go!"...another in remarkable song that just exists on this album. It isn't pretentiously pop, it isn't really crap either....it's just there. If anything could be a definition of filler, it would be this one. It's a 'meh' song. Not bad, not great, just there.
8."Reason to Live" 4:00
A video and radio hit....I live this track. The power ballad was a staple of the hair metal genre and a pretty big constant of the late 70's and 80's hard rock genres. KISS did this type of track very well from the beginning. This is no exception, tight performances and solid lyrics, this track just screams classic from the first note...it sounds like a product of the 80's but in this case, it helps it that much more.
9."Good Girl Gone Bad" 4:35
A typical chugging KISS riff starts this Gene song and it isn't that bad either...it's not mind blowing either but it serves the album. Gene doesn't do too bad vocally on this one either. It's structurally sound and Gene's bass isn't mixed too deep into it so you can hear some of that Paul McCartney type style he has...this is a competent deep track, not one I would seek out but if it came up on shuffle I wouldn't skip it either.
10."Turn On the Night"3:18
Another video single...this one is loaded with keyboards and pop rock feel. However those things work for the track making it a fun little track that brings a smile to your face and imbues you with some energy...it kinda makes you have fun with it. Can't argue that reaction either, especially with how well it was performed...it's just so polished, from Paul's vocals to the gang chorus to Bruce's guitar solos...it's just so good.
11."Thief in the Night" 4:07
The closer to the album and it is another Gene track...this one has a few good ideas in it and what it does, it does well, but this is a filler track. It seems a bit out of place on this album as a whole, it doesn't share the same vibe as the rest of the album, it would fit better on one of the 2 previous albums they released "Animalized" or "Asylum"...it just sounds like this albums. Not awful...but not right either.
*12. "Time Traveler" 4:57
Normally I don't do demo things here but this is an exception...this was recorded for this record session. Since it was released on the Box Set I decided I would covet it here. What we have is a track heavy on percussion and an adventurous feeling...it's got a good vibe and in all honesty this would have made a great closer to the album. The demo is well performed and Paul's vocals are absolutely great here. I just love this track and it should have been on this album proper...it fits the album completely and could have even been a reasonably successful single as well...why it's not on the record, I don't honestly know...but it is a great song.
*The song "Time Traveler" was recorded during these sessions and later released on the 2001 KISS Box Set.
Another song of note that was recorded for the album but not included was a song called " Sword and Stone" which was written by Bruce Kulick, Desmond Child(a long time KISS collaborator), and Paul Stanley, but did not manage to get on the album because producer Ron Nevison was not thrilled with the song. The song was offered to Canadian rock band Loverboy, and was re-recorded by their lead guitarist Paul Dean on his 1988 album "Hard Core". The song was also recorded by German heavy metal band Bonfire for a Wes Craven movie, Shocker.
Conclusion:
An album that divides the fandom but really doesn't deserve that stigma. Yes it's over produced and as commercial as all hell but its not a bad album by any stretch. It hasn't aged all that well in parts since it is an 80's album but those quirks kinda add to it's charm. When this album came out I bought it as quick as I could and I still stand by my claim that this is one of my favorite KISS albums...it's got a lot going for it which makes it an enjoyable listen and that is what I want from ANY KISS album. This shows a band who has gotten past their mid 80's problems and actually worked together to make a great album. I honestly have no real complaints aside from the couple obvious filler tracks but even those aren't too bad (except "No,No,No!!"). This album will continue to have a place in my top list and I think if anyone wants a good 80's era KISS album to listen to, this is a good one to start with. It has a great feel to it over all and is really fun to listen to.
Score: 4.5/5
