www.myrocketscience.comThe long-running jokes about KISS include how many times KISS has: a.) reformed and b.) how many guitar players they have had.
In truth, they did quickly have two guitar players when original guitarist Ace Frehley left around 1982. But after that stage left didn't have the revolving door most casual fans think it had as that spot was held for 12 (!) years by BRUCE KULICK.
Bruce played on a lot of hits (and a few misses) and sold out tours during his time with KISS, and arguably KISS had a real creative resurgence with him in the band. In KISS, Bruce was like the 6th man in a basketball game - always there when needed, can deliver at will and give you whatever you want. He was the KISS "MVP" and by his tenure the band had essentially become the Gene & Paul show - but Bruce's ability made him one of the rare guys KISS had that could write with both members, and was able to take their musical visions and get them down on record and fast. Sports analogies aside, I always thought that for many years Bruce was under-utilized as it wasn't until the last two KISS albums with Bruce (Revenge and Carnival of Souls) featured the most co-writes and his best guitar playing.
Post-KISS Bruce remained very active - doing two solo albums, forming Union with John Corabi, playing with Grand Funk Railroad and always embracing and staying active in the KISS community.
So now we come to tomorrow's release of BK3, Bruce's new solo album. Musically, its a great culmination of what Bruce has been doing for so many years, both with KISS and after his time with the band. This is an album that's a must for any and all KISS fans - and don't bother whining about who is or was better, Ace or Bruce, blah, blah, blah. Get over it - both made huge contributions to KISS and both put up with Gene & Paul for so many years! No, what matters is that whether you are a KISS fan or not, Bruce made a solid, strong and mature ROCK album. Big hooks, great production, and an array of great guitar licks. No, this isn't a Vai or Satriani type of record - this is an album of songs - and its worth noting that this album actually only has one instrumental on it. And yes, there's plenty of shred-worthy moments on the album. Guests include John Corabi, Steve Lukather, Eric Singer, Gene Simmons and Gene (and Shannon's) son Nick Simmons (on the first single, "Hand of the King").
The bottom line is you don't need to be a KISS fan to enjoy a this quality hard rock record. If you like songs with big hooks and big guitars - regardless of whether you are a KISS fan or not - BK3 - is worth checking out.
