Released with the other three solo albums in 1978, Paul's album is generally regarded as a decent attempt at the solo album project, and it considered to be the most "KISS-like" of the four solo albums. But many consider it to be too poppy, and somewhat sappy. I would partially agree with the previous statement, but that's really most Paul songs, so I don't really understand such a critique. Let's take a look at the "Starchild's" first stab at solo album.
The first track is by far my favorite Paul track of all time. "Tonight You Belong to Me" is a classic KISS (almost anyways) track. Very dreamy, I love the gentle acoustic introduction, which is then followed by a kick-ass riff and a very catchy and infectious chorus. Steve Buslowe provides great bass on the track, and Paul's guitars really shine, good song. "Move On" is classic 1970s Paul Stanley. It sounds a little "off" without the rest of the band playing on the track, but this would become the norm on later albums such as Dynasty, when individuals members of KISS would often play on multiple tracks. Nice backing vocals (classy, unlike the very gaudy vocals on Gene and Peter's albums) and great solos and drumming, the songs kicks it up to "eleven", a great rocker. "Ain't Quite Right" slows the album down a bit, but rocks enough to satisfy. I like the mellow riff in the verses, followed by crunchy and raw guitar riffs in the chorus. The songs middles around a bit and doesn't hit the climax you quite expect from Paul, but a good song nonetheless.
"Wouldn't You Like to Know Me" shows the early influence of the New York Dolls and other New York bands such as the Ramones on Paul. A simple and garage-like riff provides a very raw sound, very refreshing compared to the bloated-nature of Gene's solo album, a very different sonic approach from Paul compared to Gene. Nice drumming from Richie Fontana, at times even better than Peter Criss around the same time and certainly than on his solo album. "Take Me Away (Together as One)" is the first real ballad on the album. Despite being a ballad, the song doesn't lack grit or aggression, its quite heavy and loud, and Stanley delivers stellar vocals. A little bit too long in my opinion, but a very good song. "It's Alright" is another Paul Stanley rocker, very 1970s, quite orthodox in terms of the classic KISS sound. Pretty simple musically, but then again, most of Paul's early song revolved around some fairly basic blues-influenced chords. But it certainly works, and has all the charm and pizazz of Paul's KISS output, a very fun rocker of a song.
"Hold Me, Touch Me (Think of Me When We're Apart) was Paul's main single from the album. Sounding like a refugee off a Bee Gees album, I really don't care for the direction Paul took on the song. Very mellow and sappy, it's a sugary concoction of Paul at his most pop and romantic. Not a terrible song, just not what you expect from the de facto leader of one of the world's biggest hard rock bands. Again, production is fine on the song, but just too mellow for me. "Love in Chains" kicks up the decibels again. The heaviest song on the album, the punchy riff rolls through the track like a tank, very heavy. The chorus is a bit poppy, but still quite enjoyable. Bob Kulick (Bruce's brother) delivers some very hot guitar work on the track, and I often imagine what KISS would have sounded like had he joined instead of Vinnie Vincent. "Goodbye" closes the album with somewhat of a whimper. Very formulaic for Paul, it just doesn't stand out among his better songs on this album. Kind of a boring track, despite some good playing from all of the musicians on the album.
"Paul Stanley" is a good album, certainly better than Peter and comparable to Gene's in terms of quality. Very different from both of those albums, it is certainly the most KISS-like of the bunch.
Rating-7/10
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