By 1977, Kiss had already long since cemented themselves as one of the biggest, flashiest bands in all of rock n' roll. 1976's Destroyer and 1975's Alive! had skyrocketed their popularity and increased the attendance of concert goers at their performances. Though there of course were problems in the band, musically and commercially they were at their peak. Before things started going downhill, they made one last amazing album: Love Gun.
Love Gun is one of Kiss's best reviewed albums to date and it features some of their most hard rocking tunes yet, like the title track, "Plaster Caster", "Christine Sixteen", "Shock Me", and more. It packs a punch, yet has those melodies that keep an artist popular in the mainstream. Plus, with all of the overt yet somehow charismatic sexual themes spreading all throughout it, it managed to fly off the shelves even faster than it already would have to begin with.
"Shock Me" is one of the most interesting songs on the album. For one thing, it was the first lead vocal track that lead guitarist Ace Frehley ever recorded. Also, it is based on an event where at a Kiss show Ace got shocked from having touched a metal staircase that was ungrounded. He was knocked to the floor and the show was delayed by half an hour, after which he lost all feeling in his right hand for a bit. Needless to say, this rocking number definitely gives off that electrifying feel.
The title track "Love Gun" is definitely a Kiss classic. Although it is pretty obvious what they are talking about, it's hard not to get into that guitar riff, the dual harmonized guitar parts, the bravado and melodic nature of the vocals, the thundering of the drums, etc. It takes all of the best elements of the band and channels them into one hell of a song. If you haven't been listening to rock radio for the past 40 years and somehow haven't heard this, then I'm surprised.
Love Gun is one of those albums that is an absolute must for any Kiss fan and even any fan of 70's rock. It has all the essential elements: groove, melody, swagger, charisma, harmonies, thunder, and more. While it is not my personal favorite Kiss album, it's definitely up there. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not giving this record at least one full listen-through. There is more to it than just the radio single.
Love Gun, by Kiss receives 3.75 out of 5 stars
Track List:
1. I Stole Your Love
2. Christine Sixteen
3. Got Love For Sale
4. Shock Me
5. Tomorrow and Tonight
6. Love Gun
7. Hooligan
8. Almost Human
9. Plaster Caster
10. Then She Kissed Me
Buy the album on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Gun-Remastered-Version-Kiss/dp/B000VZLL02/ref=ice_ac_b_dpb?ie=UTF8&qid=1526009001&sr=8-1&keywords=Kiss+Love+Gun
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