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By GREG MAKI
While other members of KISS come and go, and Gene Simmons’ attention wanders to other projects, Paul Stanley’s focus has never wavered. It always has been about the music for him. In fact, one wonders if KISS would have survived the dark days of the 1980s without his leadership. A return to the studio for KISS is nowhere in sight, but that may not be such a bad thing. Live to Win, Stanley’s second solo album (his first since all four KISS members released their own records in 1978), is the best KISS-related recording since Revenge (1992).
The one-two punch of the title track and “Lift” serve as a perfect introduction to the album. With their modern guitar sound and Stanley’s somewhat subdued performance, these songs instantly distance Live to Win from KISS. This is not a nostalgia run. The more familiar Stanley makes a welcome return on track four, “Everytime I See You Around.” Vocally, Stanley is stronger than ever, and the song instantly brings to mind KISS ballads like “Forever” and “Every Time I Look at You.” The only other song that recalls KISS with anything other than Stanley’s voice is “Bulletproof,” an up-tempo rocker that would have been at home on Hot in the Shade.
As he always has, Stanley collaborated with a variety of songwriters, including Desmond Child and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5. John 5 also appears in the ranks of musicians, along with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick (on bass). A lot of people had a hand in this album, but only one man’s signature is on it and that’s Stanley’s. As a songwriter and singer, he is as good as there is in the rock world today, with or without Gene Simmons and whoever else is in KISS at the time. The songs here show a more vulnerable, emotional side of Stanley, one that the Starchild hinted at but could never fully explore in KISS. The only reasons my score for this album is not higher are the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 33-minute running time and the inclusion of three ballads among its 10 tracks. Otherwise, Live to Win is an outstanding rock album.
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