VARIOUS ARTISTS
"Spin
the Bottle: A Tribute to KISS" (KOCH; 2004) 
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Because there just aren't enough tribute CDs available out there (yeah, right), KOCH Records has released this all-star tribute to KISS.
The over-abundance of tribute CDs aside, "Spin the Bottle," featuring eleven of the kabuki band's greatest hits and featuring a stunning array of hard rock / heavy metal talent, rocks pretty damn hard. There really isn't a bad song on the entire CD although some tracks fare better than others.
Those that work the best are Dee Snider singing "Detroit Rock City," "King of the Night Time World" as performed by Fozzy's Chris Jericho (who'd'a thunk that would work so well?) and the almost bizarre but irresistible "Shout It Out Loud" as sung by Lemmy of Motorhead with Hole's Samantha Moloney and Jennifer Batten on guitars. Buzz Osborne of the Melvins also does a great job with "God of Thunder" as does Robin McAuley (with a little help from Poison's C.C. Deville) on "I Stole Your Love."
Love 'em or hate 'em, it's difficult not to admit that KISS wrote some great songs and influenced generations of hard rock musicians. Though these kind of tributes aren't required listens, they are fun and entertaining and "Spin the Bottle" is probably more so than most.
Produced by "secret" KISS member and Paul Stanley tour guitarist Bob Kulick, "Spin the Bottle" also features an appearance by official bandmember Bruce Kulick.
Complete tracklisting:
1. Detroit Rock City - Dee Snider
2. Love Gun - Tommy Shaw
3. Gold Gin - Mark Slaughter
4. King of the Night Time World - Chris Jericho
5. I Want You - Kip Winger
6. God of Thunder - Buzz Osborne
7. Calling Doctor Love - Page Hamilton
8. Shout It Out Loud - Lemmy Kilmister; Jennifer Batten; Samantha Moloney
9. Parasite - Doug Pinnick
10. Strutter - Phil Lewis
11. I Stole Your Love - Robin McAuley; C.C. Deville
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2004 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 16 Sep 2024 12:51:57 -0400.
