Dynasty (Almost Human Review Episode #12)

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• published: 07 Mar 2013
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Ralph Viera (Dr.Fukk) from the band Thrash Or Die (http://www.facebook.com/thrashordie.fl) reviews Dynasty. The seventh studio album by American rock band Kiss, produced by Vini Poncia and released on Casablanca Records on May 23, 1979. It marked the first time that the original four members of Kiss did not all appear together for the entire album. In later interviews, the band admitted that they started to listen to outsiders about what direction the music should go around the time of Dynasty. he album and the following tour, were billed as the "Return of Kiss". Kiss had not released a studio album since 1977's Love Gun. Instead, the band released their second live album and each member had recorded eponymous solo albums, which were simultaneously released on September 18, 1978. After pre-production and rehearsals were completed, Vini Poncia (who had produced Peter Criss), decided that Criss' drumming was substandard, an opinion shared by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Criss by this time was hindered by injuries suffered to his hands in a 1978 car accident. Kiss hired South African-born studio drummer Anton Fig, who played on Ace Frehley, to play on the Dynasty sessions. With the exception of his song, "Dirty Livin'", Criss does not appear on the album, and he would not perform on another Kiss album until 1998's Psycho Circus. Fig was again hired to replace Criss during recording sessions for the following album Unmasked. Eric Carr was hired as Criss' permanent replacement before the tour for the album began. Frehley, who himself would depart the band about eighteen months later, sings three songs on Dynasty: "Hard Times", "Save Your Love" and a cover of the Rolling Stones song "2000 Man". Although he had frequently sung backing vocals and had written the Kiss classics "Cold Gin" and "Parasite", Frehley had only debuted as a lead singer on his song "Shock Me" on Love Gun because he lacked confidence in his ability as a lead singer. Stanley's "I Was Made for Lovin' You" was a concerted effort to write a hit song in the vein of disco music, which was popular at the time. It was one of their biggest singles ever, peaking at #11 on the American singles chart. He also sang on "Sure Know Something" and "Magic Touch". In contrast, Simmons sings lead vocals on only two songs: "Charisma" and "X-Ray Eyes". The album cover is actually a collage of photos taken from the photo session, and not a group shot as it appears. Giorgio Moroder was originally scheduled to produce Dynasty. Escape from Hell was the subtitle of Dynasty's Japanese release. The album, includes a colorful jacket cover. The label shows, a portrait of all four members instead of the usual Casablanca label. Inserts: merchandise order form and a full color poster. When the album, was about to be released, the poster shows that all four members were wearing white straight jackets. This had been discussed by fans, and various websites to see the original version of the poster. Unfortunately, Casablanca felt that the straight jackets are not appropriate for younger fans so, the staight jackets had been blacked out pretending, that they are wearing black shirts. Dynasty would restore the band to commercial prominence, reaching #9 on the US Billboard album chart. It was certified platinum by the RIAA, and would be the last high-charting album by Kiss for several years. "I Was Made for Lovin' You" was Kiss' first songwriting collaboration with Desmond Child, who would show up later on Animalize, Asylum, Crazy Nights, Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, and Hot in the Shade. The Dynasty Tour was Kiss' most ambitious and most expensive. It was their first tour since the Alive II tour ended on April 2, 1978 in Japan. Kiss sported new costumes featuring colors which coincided with the colors of their respective solo albums: purple (Stanley), red (Simmons), blue (Frehley) and green (Criss). The new production featured Simmons being hoisted to a small stage atop the scaffolding during his bass solo (typically played before "God of Thunder"). The harness malfunctioned on several occasions. Frehley was similarly elevated for his smoking guitar solo. Stanley conceived of a headset which projected a laser from his right eye, but the idea was scrapped when it was determined that it could potentially cause eye damage to him and fans. Several shows were cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The tour was considered a financial failure and it would become the final tour featuring the original band until the 1996