Ranking the 1978 KISS Solo Albums | Vinyl Community

[@brandonburroughs7128]

Peter’s is mad underrated. Such a fun listen

[@JCStorm76]

100%

[@reubensane5539]

Peters is my favorite one now

[@jongilbertson2106]

Peter’s sounds least like KISS, which may be why KISS fans rank it the lowest. However, it still has some good songs on it. It feels like Peter is trying to sound like Elton John. At least he is trying. I would also compare it to Dr Hook or Alice Cooper’s slow songs, like I Never Cry or Only Women Bleed. It also has some 70’s style rock/pop songs, but not the hard rock sound you would expect from KISS.

[@leoninocat5070]

Peter Criss's album kicks ass

[@JuanGutierrez-atx512]

I dig that '78 Ace solo album more than some Kiss albums! The Gene one has grown on me, and can periodically flip for runner-up with Paul's.

[@bobthebear1246]

Yeah, I would agree with that. I do love the one-two punch of "Radioactive" with "Burnin' Up With Fever" which has the amazing Donna Summer (R.I.P. 🌹) on chorus harmony vocals. Paul's is more Kiss-like.

[@robbynicolas]

9 year old me HATED Peter's. I remember playing it for the 1st time on Christmas morning '78 and being aghast but it has really grown on me. I appreciate his attempt to showcase his roots. It was a brave departure. I'd love to see Paul cover "Sugar Likes" with Soul Station!

[@randycunningham7318]

Ace's album just plain rocks. Great album.

[@kissarmythings]

Awesome video!! I think if I were to rank them personally in terms of my favorite/fav songs it would be: Paul, Gene, Ace & Peter. But if I was being objective and looked at them from an album perspective, it would actually be: Paul, Ace, Peter and then Gene. But I definitely think yours is the most common ranking amongst KISS fans and there's definitely a reason, Ace brought the heat and Paul brought class and craftsmanship. If you have time, you may like our next episode coming out; we just did a full solo album review too! I think I love these albums more now than I ever have 🔥

[@berniecasey7592]

For me: Ace,Paul,Gene & Peter they are all unique in their own way 😊

[@TheRecordSpinner]

Absolutely!

[@blllrando207]

I THINK IT WAS GENES ALBUM WHERE KATY SAGAL APPEARED ON BACK UP VOCALS. YEARS LATER SHE WAS ON MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.

[@EikeMenzel]

❤KISS ❤ 4) Gene 'The Demon' Simmons 3.) Paul 'Starchild' Stanley 2.) Peter 'The Catman' Criss 1.) Ace 'The Spaceman' Frehley (Place 4 and the only Top Ten in my Top 25.5 of KISS Studiorecordslist!) ❤KISS ❤4 ever

[@EikeMenzel]

Why *25.5* ? Because of *Alive II's Studiobonustracks* (A half Record) and any Record with the Brand *KISS* is an *KISS* - Record and so *Killers* (With only 4 New Tracks) is *# 25* !!!

[@JCStorm76]

Pete’s is better than Genes

[@johnoliver189]

I got the same rankings! Ace solo album is the cream of the crop! 👌

[@LUCAKISSLUCA]

...as promise I'm here!

[@tripletynotme]

Another great video....Solo rankings are pretty much the same for most KISS fans. Ace, Paul, Gene, and Peter...

[@dimebagdave77]

Nice..❤️‍🔥 Ace/Paul /Gene/Peter Criss. Happy hunting brother

[@texasrebel767]

Ace by a Country Mile!!🎸🎸🤘🤘

[@jongilbertson2106]

I think Gene, Peter and Paul’s albums needed a little more time to be refined and touched up. They may have suffered from trying to meet a release deadline. I think the four “solo” albums was a gutsy call, which no other band before or since then has had the guts or the talent to do. Then again, it also took care of contract obligations to make four more albums for Casablanca.

[@davidgibson8330]

I didn’t listen to Paul or Peter until somewhat recently. The other two I got Christmas 78. Gene is probably my fave. I love the collab and production. Things like always near you going right into 1000faces. It’s a great trip. Speeding back always stood out. In need of love is brilliant. Wish they had been group song as that probably would have meant they could coexist creatively. Same with Peter. I love the song you seem to dismiss on that one. Easy thing, don’t let me down. I don’t care for the heavier stuff on his solo too much. But all these years later his 70’s-ish soft stuff turned me on as did many Paul tunes. I still don’t know Paul and peter’s inside out like I do ace and Gene. So it comes down to a mood thing. Probably 10 years ago I was saying Ace. These days close second Gene has again moved to the top. Love em all

[@jayviBaby09]

I’m back ……….back in the New York Groooooooove

[@purpletemple1]

#1 Ace Frehley (by a long mile. What a phenomenal album!). #2 Gene Simmons (has cheesy moments but I feel it's adventurous) #3 Paul Stanley (good album, a bit too safe imo, and I don't come back to it very often) #4 Peter Criss (has its moments but overall too shoe-shiny-I much prefer Out of Control) Cheers.

[@trevorsflatroundspun-vinyl9803]

My ranking is the same. Though, I could flip flop Paul and Ace’s on any given day. I would like to say that if Paul’s “Hold Me, Touch Me” was released on a blank white labeled promo and given to Adult Contemporary stations, it probably would’ve been a HUGE hit. Then currently, it would be in all of the Yacht Rock playlists if that were to happen.

[@cliffsanchez1451]

You make a good point, I never thought about it that way.

[@MindControlUltra]

1 Ace 2 Ace 3 Ace 4 Ace

[@georgeprice4212]

Ironically, that’s exactly how I have them!

[@lysaarvideo]

Peter Criss was the only Kiss member who sang with soul and humanity. With better songwriting and a more even attitude and personality he could have been a real solo star. Overall, it was clear that Paul Stanley was the Kiss CEO in musical terms. A great album from beginning to end. My ranking: 1. Paul Stanley. 2. Ace Frehley. 3. Peter Criss. 4. Gene Simmons.

[@boysiesolem4752]

Nice video 👍 I agree with your ranking even if I enjoy all 4 ✌️🎼🎸🎶

[@josephpalumbo8789]

My ranking is Ace, Peter, Gene, Paul. I rank em based on overall offering not at all based on who they were in the band. They went rogue solo…what did they deliver? It’s a great all-time debate thanks for stoking it up again! 🤘🏼

[@MikeF.74]

Gene's is my favorite

[@JCStorm76]

This isn’t Gene himself is it?

[@AndyX]

i have the same ranking , although i feel the best Stanely song is -Goodbye

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

I think Paul had two of his best ever songs on this album; TYBtM and TMATaO.

[@Dr.Johnny.10]

1.Ace(rip it out,new yourk groove) 2.Paul(Move on,Love in chains) 3.peter(You mater to me,hooked on rock & roll) 4.gene(Radioactive,Burning up with fever)

[@Eiraart]

Peter Ace Gene Paul my 2cents

[@cristopher6703]

BOUGHT THESE IN 78' Favorite's Nr 1 Paul Stanley..Tonight you belong to me..Love in chains Nr 2 Ace Frehley..Rip it out..Speedin' back to my baby Nr 3 Gene Simmons..Radioactive..See you tonight 4 Peter Criss..Matter to me..Tossin' and turnin'

[@raggeragnar]

Hello Dylan ! I think most of us would do the exact same ranking. Maybe someone would switch places with Paul and Gene. For me , it could go either way , depending on my mood of the day, A little curious side question just for the fun of it ; where would you put Eric’s recent ”solo” album ? I don’t really know myself. 3rd or 4th perhaps. Play loud , bro ! Cheers !

[@spacebearsven7130]

On solo albums musicians can stray away from the music, which the band they are associated with, is doing - that's why they are solo albums! Peter did exactly that and recorded the kind of music that he felt he wanted to get out. When some fans of KISS say that they don't like Peter's album, because it is not in the sound of KISS, totally miss the point. If I want to listen to an album with KISS-like music, I put on an album by KISS. Peter did the right thing and recorded different music on his record. Gene's album isn't KISS-like as well, but I think, his album is much too unsettled, because of the millions of special guests. Paul's album is the most KISS-like to me, which is nice but it just holds no surprises. Ace's album strays away from the KISS-sound a bit. It has some punk-ish elements in it and I like that. Having said that, I like them all, though. My ranking (there is no fourth position): 3. Gene Simmons 2. Paul Stanley 1. Ace Frehley/Peter Criss By the way, I enjoy your videos very much. Keep up the great work!

[@planktonau]

There is absolute daylight between Ace's album and the other solo albums. Every track rocks. Ace is the real deal.

[@artisticvisions77]

Ace is my favorite but Paul’s was the best artistically.

[@CanadianCharlie64]

I rank them the same, but back in 78 at the age 13/14 I bought them in the reverse order

[@nscacpt11]

Paul, Ace, Gene and Peter

[@Rock4UNow]

I remember when these albums were released and in real time, Gene's was considered the worst. Of course we loved the album cover but the music inside it didn't live up to the demon image at all. Peter Criss LP: Except for some over the top "modernly" produced tracks it was still accepted among peers and Peter was was always in the background and low key so No surprise on the Jazz influenced and "Tossing and Turning " the original was still on the oldies radio at that time. "I Can't Stop The Rain" was extremely popular amoung us and it puzzled most fans as to why it wasn't a single release, it would have been a hit.

[@OceanSoul1969]

Great video, quick and to the point! My list is the same. I was 10 years old and my Ace record fell off my bed and shattered. I cried.

[@haydenmalesky2518]

Ace, Paul, Peter, Gene

[@aaronornelas5863]

Predictable ranking

[@Cape-Dweller]

Stanley wrote hard luck woman

[@jimicrack29]

yes a perfect time to drink much more warm beer an wait to know

[@cliffsanchez1451]

In order from best to least best solo albums.... Ace,Paul,Gene,peter.

[@romandacilv9260]

Pretty much how I had them rated. I liked all of them in their own unique ways. I found Peter's to be too sappy, Gene's was just too weird and all over the place. Paul's was solid and the most KISS like for that era and Ace's was the most hard rocking. If you took 4 songs each from Ace & Paul, 2 frome Gene's and 1 from Peter's then you would have a really good KISS album.

[@michaelgermano7084]

You say it’s predictable but there really isn’t much leeway for movement. On some days I might rank Gene’s lower than Peter but not many. Radioactive saves it.

[@JCStorm76]

Peter’s is better. I Can’t Stop The Rain is a better song than Radioactive too

[@michaelgermano7084]

On some days, Peter’s is better. I Can’t Stop the Rain is also my favorite song on his album.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

I agree, with a great voice like that he could've gone solo and become a big lounge crooner I think he's a lot better singer than Rod Stewart.

[@tonyeckman4822]

Paul and Ace are interchangeable (depending on mood) Gene next, Peter last.

[@skottyo]

Im waiting for Tommy Thayer's solo Kiss album. If its as bored as he looks on stage its sure to suck.

[@laurensherrow1528]

My ranking would be the same, except swap Paul for Gene on the #2 spot 😇😉

[@williampalenik7306]

Ace, Gene, Paul, Peter of course Paul and Gene can switch around Of course Ace dose have the most rockiness album

[@cristopher6703]

You matter to me

[@fundhund62]

There really isn't much to seperate Paul's, Gene's and Ace's. To my mind, they are all roughly of the same quality. Ace's was elevated by Anton Fig's drumming, but the songwriting was sub-par. Peter's was definitely a level below.

[@Jasonmusicman]

For me it’s as follows: 1. Paul 2. Ace 3. Gene 4. Peter I just feel Paul’s album is the better album.

[@cryptoinvestorcryptoinvest5542]

Paul 1a Ace 1b Peter 3 Gene 4

[@loracle6051]

Ace is better, so far

[@bobthebear1246]

Same ranking as mine, although even Peter's album is decent. It's just not...great. But yeah, The Space Ace smokes them all.

[@dangeller4525]

1.Gene 2.peter 3.Paul 4.Ace

[@randycunningham7318]

A ranking unworthy of respect.

[@fwnfaa]

My favorite solo album is Gene Simmons

[@rockdude5150]

I bought all these back when they first came out , A Kiss fan , to be honest the peter criss album sounded really old fashioned and dated , Genes album much the same my young ears didnt like it, Aces album connected with the track fractured mirror , My favourite was Pauls album great songs great vocal

[@ulfolundin8167]

ranking best to worse Paul Gene Peter the worst is Ace have listen to Kiss since 74

[@JCStorm76]

Worst is Ace? What? Lol

[@ulfolundin8167]

yes his childlike easy songs is boring@@JCStorm76

[@TonyFromSyracuse101]

GENE ACE PAUL PETER

[@Gottoyzforsale]

Paul has 4 really strong song's, it's downhill after that. Ace' album is a better listen from start to finish.

[@bearinthewoods3]

I'd put Peter's ahead of Gene's all day

[@TheRecordSpinner]

Hot take but I respect it!

[@robertnicholas2371]

Paul’s is by far the best, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Peter’s is better than Genes. Paul, Ace, Peter, Gene. Paul’s is the most “KISS-like” because he IS KISS.

[@MARKIEBANUNCE]

Ace & Paul were the best Peter's was just bad... Seriously is was bad. I tried to listen to it and couldn't....however when you listen to GENE'S album, you can totally see where they came up for material for the UNMASKED album. IMO

[@scottshell8882]

bought these when they came out as a kid. I got Paul and Gene, and my brother got Ace and Peter. My ranking is the same as it was back then. 1. Paul (LOVE❤❤❤) except for the sappy ballad 2. Ace (Like Lots 🧡) never liked New York Groove or the female backup singers - just don't like it as much as Paul's. 3. Gene (ugh 🤥 appreciate the variety and exploration of different genres but doesn't do much for me. 4. Peter, never liked this one. Sorry Peter.😒

[@Thomas-lg6jx]

Gene's charted the highest but is the worst solo kiss LP ( he would top this with @$$hole in abworser LP). He showcases his musical talent & his varied music likes. The LP had a load of extra musiciens to add chops & flavour; but it does not work. Mediocre at best it has no focus & is disjointed. Ace frehley comes as a way better effort. Ace just recently proving his music voice..he crafts a strong solo LP with hard to poppy songs; simple & strong with flair. Peter Criss is a close & strong second. He showcases his vocal talents & love for different musical gendres with aplomb. The musicianship is strong & hold up his vocals well. Paul stanley has the strongest LP & the most kiss sounding. Its straight ahead kiss rock vibe with flair & stong guitar & vocals by stanley & the most coherant LP strung together.

[@reubensane5539]

Let me guess ,before I even watch ,you’re gonna say peters is the worst and aces is the best . What a surprise that will be (yawn) At this point I give them all a tie ,there all great for different reasons and moods

[@Rich-jd9up]

#1PAUL....#2ACE....#3PETER....THEN #4GENE,'S IS EASILY THE WORST. PETER'S IS PRETTY BAD.

[@blackscorpion-h8i]

1. Ace 9/10 Awesome 2. Paul 5,/10 Okay 3. Peter - 2/10. Lame 4. Gene 1/10 Awful

[@Dr.Johnny.10]

Paul is like 7/10 and ace is a good 10/10 and peter is 3/10 gene is 0/10

[@shandonsahm3343]

Everyone knows ace's is the best