Gene Simmons names the one Kiss album he feels is ‘dishonest’

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As a lifelong rock enthusiast who grew up with the thunderous beats of Kiss echoing through my teenage years, I have to say that the band was more than just a collection of faces and makeup. They were a force to be reckoned with, a sonic storm that shook the foundations of rock ‘n’ roll.

The band Kiss was typically mindful enough to understand their boundaries, focusing more on providing entertainment rather than crafting profound works of art. They undeniably had talent – Paul Stanley had a strong voice, Ace Frehley excelled on the guitar, and Gene Simmons was uniquely Gene Simmons – but the tunes they generated were primarily designed for parties.

At their peak, bands like “Destroyer” saw them excel in both entertaining audiences and creating top-notch rock songs. Without hits such as “Detroit Rock City” and “Shout It Out Loud”, the world would undoubtedly be a less lively place.

Clearly, it’s best for everyone to move past the less-than-stellar album titled “Music From ‘The Elder’“, and Simmons acknowledges this fact. Originally intended as a concept album based on an unrelated screenplay, Kiss ventured into uncharted territory with this project. As Simmons himself admits, Kiss is not quite the Who, so attempting a concept album was a risky move that ultimately proved to be a misstep.

Gene Simmons gets real about what he thinks is Kiss’ most “dishonest” album

Reflecting on my recent conversation with Classic Rock, I can’t help but admit that the concept for “Music From ‘The Elder'” was my brainchild. It’s a record I hold responsible, as it deviated significantly from our usual sound, perhaps explaining why some fans found it less than appealing despite its unique charm. To me, it felt dishonest to our musical identity, even though many seemed to cherish it.

When asked about the most disappointing album he ever produced, Simmons admitted that “Music From ‘The Elder’” was his mistake. He confessed that it was his idea to create this concept album based on a movie script, and when producer Bob Ezrin suggested they make their own “Tommy,” he agreed. However, as the Who proved to be more capable of such an endeavor, Simmons now acknowledges that they were not in the same league.

Simmons admitted that the least truthful album he was involved in producing was “Carnival of Souls.” The reason behind this was that the band was chasing a trend instead of staying authentic to their own identity. Notably, one of the main issues with “Music”… was that it followed two other albums, one being a disco-oriented record (“Dynasty”) and the other leaning more towards pop music (“Unmasked”). In essence, this made “Music” the third consecutive flop for Kiss.

Despite the fact that their studio albums are impressive, what truly stood out about the band was their electrifying live performances. If they had discontinued album production before ‘Dynasty’, fans would have adored them just the same. Their live shows would still be exceptional, making them fantastic.

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2024-09-06 16:00