VARIOUS ARTISTS
Spin the Bottle: An All Star Tribute to KISS
Koch Records 2004
www.kissonline.com

Featuring: Dee Snider, Tommy Shaw, Mark Slaughter, Chris Jericho, Kip Winger, Buzz Osborne, Page Hamilton, Lemmy, Phil Lewis, Robin McAuley

What's the 4-1-1?
Produced by long-time KISS associate Bob Kulick, Spin the Bottle collects the band's most beloved 70's songs as covered by some of their biggest fans; who also happen to be among the biggest names in 70's & 80's rock (and one WWE superstar).

Genre
Rock n' Roll / Hard Rock

The Good
A good cover song stays true to the original and changes only slightly. The artists here understand that theory. Dee Snider's (Twisted Sister) version of "Detroit Rock City" kicks things off. The addition of Doug Aldrich's (Whitesnake) fiery guitar solos and subtle improvised licks really add to the song. On "Cold Gin", Mark Slaughter (Slaughter) transforms himself into Gene Simmons vocally. A far cry from his glass shattering falsetto days. Buzz Osborne (The Melvins) adds a more sinister vocal arrangement to "God of Thunder", which features former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick laying down that infamous opening riff. Backed by an all female rhythm section, Lemmy (Motorhead) lets loose on "Shout It Out Loud". Any commercial song covered by Lemmy is always worth a listen.

Chris Jericho (Fozzy) & Rich Ward (Fozzy) take "King of the Nighttime World" to the next level. They tinker with the music just enough to give it a modern feel. I could see this one tearing up rock radio. It's the best track on the album, and possibly better than the original. Doug Pinnick (Kings X) impressed me on "Parasite". I never knew he could perform a song that was more than 20 beats per minute and less than ten minutes long. C.C. Deville (Poison) flies through the guitar parts on "I Stole Your Love" probably as fast as the thoughts in his head. He's backed by underrated vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley-Schenker Group). Believe it or not, two eighties rock heavyweights finally come together for the first time on "Love Gun". Arena rockers Tommy Shaw (Styx) and Steve Lukather (Toto) crank it up on their version of "Love Gun". Don't be ashamed, everyone secretly loves those groups (Give me REO Speedwagon any day).

The Bad
Nobody wanted to cover "Rock and Roll All Night"?

The Verdict
You wanted the best (tribute), and you've got the best (tribute)..... (to) the hottest band in the World...KISS!

Did you know?
KISS began their “farewell tour” in 2000….and it just keeps going, and going, and going!

Rating: out of 5

Related Reviews:
Various Artists - Harder & Heavier
Various Artists - Hollywood Rocks!
L.A. Guns - Rips the Covers Off
Motorhead - Inferno

--George Dionne