PAUL STANLEY - Live To Win

Paul Stanley
Live To Win
Universal Records
8/10



Kiss frontman Paul Stanley’s iconic voice is instantly recognizable from the onset of this record’s anthemic opening cut, “Live To Win.” Vibrant and uplifting, this well-penned track strays a bit from the territory Stanley is best known for and is most certainly far removed from that of his well-known first solo effort, which was part of the simultaneous four-album release by all Kiss members all the way back in the seventies. In saying that, it should be noted that “Live To Win” is intensely modern-sounding with the passionate “Lift” or the decidedly alternative rock styling of “Wake Up Screaming” each containing stellar hooks and highly impressive performances by the self-dubbed Starchild. As an album, “Live To Win” will not necessarily appeal solely to Kiss fans.

There is a remarkably wide audience for the kind of sounds you’ll find here and while much of this record could be termed as a pop record, Stanley has the rock sensibility to make these tracks work as veritable rock anthems. Those hungry for new Kiss material will revel in the “Animalize”-like “Bulletproof,” “Where Angels Dare,” a song that could have made it onto “Crazy Nights” (possibly the most impressive track to be found on the entire album), or “Second To None,” a cut which could have found a home on latter-day Kiss efforts.

In comparison to the recent solo album from bandmate Gene Simmons, “Asshole,” “Live To Win” shows Stanley to be by far the more talented of the revered songwriting duo. His performance on this record should be considered as nothing less than that of a true superstar and it’s undeniable that Kiss fans around the world will be certain to agree.

Written By: Haystack McLovin'