EPISODE 258: "DYNASTY"
This week Tom & Zeus review the 1979 polarizing KISS album, "Dynasty." This was KISS' 7th studio album and the 21st KISS studio album reviewed by SIOL.
Dynasty was the first studio album since Love Gun in 1977. This was the longest time between studio albums for KISS. It was the last studio to feature all original members until Psycho Circus in 1998. The album was produced by Vini Poncia, who Peter Criss demanded and had previously produced Peter's 1978 solo album.
The band was definitely changing. Super KISS had been formed. The band wore flashier outfits with capes and became more comic book-like. They experimented with more pop and yes, even disco, with their huge international smash, "I Was Made For Lovin' You, written with this new upcoming songwriter, Desmond Child. Producer Vini Poncia was instrumental in this new sound, however the band did write some of their best songs, like the brilliant, "Sure Know Something." Yes brilliant! However, this departure in sound and style alienated a lot of the KISS Army.
The album also featured all four members sing at least on song, just as they did on Love Gun. However, this album featured Ace Frehley on three songs, by far his most. Gene Simmons only sang on only two. The album also featured ghost player, Anton Fig on drums. Peter Criss only played drums on his song, "Dirty Livin'."
The album cover was the iconic photo of the four faces of the band. The inside photo of the band in black also became legendary.
As usual the guys breakdown and analyze the tracks and rank the songs SIOL style. As always, they then compare the album and album cover and rank it against the previous studio albums reviewed.
So tune in to another must listen to SIOL album review.