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Rating: THE REVIEW
In 1979, Kiss released "Dynasty," immediately after the four solo albums (one for each member) in '78 had led fans to believe in a split from the group.
But the return to the studio of all four guys was not among the best. It is evident from the album itself. There is no group spirit, the relationship between Criss and Frehley on one side and Stanley and Simmons on the other was becoming increasingly cold. Just consider that Criss is behind the drum kit only in one song and Frehley plays the guitar (and also sings) only in his three creations. Furthermore, even the genre changes. For some strange reason, Kiss thought of blending their music with a hint of disco-music and the result was the widespread play of the first two singles more in the discotheques than on the radio.
The album opens with the three best tracks. I Was Made For Lovin' You, 2,000 Man and Sure Know Something. The first is very famous. A true masterpiece signed by Stanley. Catchy chorus and disco sound. The second is a much-improved Rolling Stones cover, by Ace's hand, and the third is another good work by Stanley, which along with I Was Made is the song from the album that has remained most famous.
I think there's no better adjective for the remaining tracks than "mediocre". Gene Simmons certainly doesn't excel with his Charisma and X-Ray Eyes (the first better than the second anyway), and the only song by the cat Peter Criss, Dirty Livin', becomes boring after a few listens, even though it's quite catchy. Magic Touch is a third Stanley track that doesn't shine like his other two, but listening to I Was Made For Lovin' You and Sure Know Something one can't fault the Starchild. Finally, there are another two songs by Frehley which I think are the best things on the CD after the first three tracks. Hard Times and Save Your Love might be too long (actually, in general, all the songs on this album tire me out at the beginning of the third minute) but they represent Ace's virtuosity on the guitar.
In summary: half the album is good... half isn't.
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Summary by Bot
Kiss's 1979 album Dynasty followed four solo albums and showcased tensions within the band. The album experimented with disco sounds, producing hits like 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' and 'Sure Know Something.' However, many tracks feel mediocre and lack group cohesion. Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley contributed some of the best performances, while Gene Simmons and Peter Criss's efforts were less impressive.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
KISS
Formed in New York in 1973 by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, KISS became known for theatrical makeup, pyrotechnic stage shows and arena-filling hard rock. Classic early lineup included Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.50 Reviews
Other reviews
By Axlspark
"I Was Made For Lovin’ You" is a hit, catchy and memorable though more commercial than rock.
Don’t expect to find a masterpiece by Kiss or in rock when purchasing this album.
By Valeriorivoli
How much nostalgia I feel when I listen to this monumental album.
"2,000 Man is almost punkish and absolutely energetic... Ace sings it insanely high, it’s not easy to do."
