All Artists:Gene Simmons Title:Ass Hole Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label:Bmg Japan Original Release Date: 1/1/2006 Re-Release Date: 5/31/2004 Album Type: Import Genres:Pop, Rock, Metal Style: Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:4988017621943
Synopsis
Album Description
Japanese edition of the man's 2004 album features 2 bonus tracks 'Everybody Knows' & 'You're My Reason For Living'.
CD Reviews
If I could, it would be NO stars.
Anthony Tyler | Nashville | 06/04/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Gene Simmons and music have never really fit. He is not a songwriter in the sense that music and written words go together in a cohesive, intelligible manner. He HAS NEVER been a decent singer. I believe the best sounding voice he ever had was found on Crazy Nights. However, this isn't KISS. This is Gene working his new-found alter ego. The Jewish Pimp. I am not a fan of one song found on this mish-mash of demo quality rubbish. It's terrible. I strongly suggest, as many have, that you sample this heavily before buying. I also suggest waiting for Paul Stanley's solo effort. I am positive it will be musical and tasteful. I will not go track by track with this review. Let's just say that every song is God awful and actually this album does succeed at one thing. Being horrible. I truly wish that more money was directed at someone who had talent and not just a name. The title is fitting. The new look and new persona goes right along with his view of life in general. Selfish, self-serving, self-important prick. I do not like this album one iota. If Gene Simmons truly took anything seriously he would have hired voices to sing these tunes. Quite honestly, I've read many who state A**HOLE is a good song. I don't agree. It is by far the stupidest song I have EVER HEARD. EVER!!! If a good song is judged by moon, June, spoon lyric writing then yes, A**HOLE is a masterpiece. But in my book, this isn't remotely close to music. It is however, another way for the Money Man to make more. And after all, isn't that what he's here for? Just ask him."
Hit & Miss For The Demon
Joshua Day | Roanoke, VA United States | 06/18/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This new solo album by Gene Simmons is hit & miss, just like most of what little new material KISS has released since the Revenge Era. It starts off great with " Sweet & Dirty Love " which is basically KISS without Paul Stanley. " Weapons of Mass Destruction " which features the same lineup is also great. I also like the songs which are ballads pretty well, which surprises me. I wish the vocals had been better; I know Gene can do better. Especially with the Dylan written " Waiting For The Morning Light. " I was looking forward to this and was hoping it would be better. A lot of the songs like " Beautiful " would be better if he redid the vocals or found somebody who would sing in key. " One Thousand Dreams " has a nice slide guitar going on. I also like the bonus tracks " You're My Reason For Living " and the rocker " Everybody Knows ". Everything else is either amusing, awful or both. It suffers from the same problem as the 78 solo, which is that styles jump around and it doesn't seem to have a real direction or blend well. Unfortunately I don't think this will attract new fans, but long time die hards like me will buy it. If you're an established fan you might want to give it a shot. If you're a new fan I'd recommend Alive ! I well before this."
This Album Is A Triumph!!!
Michael S. Mosser | 06/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the heavy metal crunch of "Carnival Of Souls" and "Weapons" to the whimsical "Whatever Turns You On" to the rebellious and ethereal "Black Tongue" to the humorous title track to the melancholy tones of "Now That You're Gone" and "Waiting For the Morning Light" and "I Dream A Thousand Dreams"....Gene Simmons' new solo album HAS IT ALL. Raised on The Beatles growing up, Gene Simmons has always displayed a true knack and appreciation for writing and performing music that literally knows no boundaries or classification.
Much like Simmons' classic '78 solo album - this new album is filled to the brim with a variety of styles, emotions, and messages. Gene has always been a courageous writer willing to push the limits of what people expect from him. This is anything but a straight heavy metal album; no, that would have been too easy.
Listen to this album with an open mind and be prepared to love it. It is an artistic triumph."
It is not a KISS album
Michael S. Mosser | columbia, PA USA | 06/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you expecting Kiss songs on here, forget it. It is not a KISS album. Most of the reviewers so far just seem to not like gene simmons and are bashing the cd on that opinon alone. The cd has some good songs and some I could do without. But its Genes album, he can put whatever he wants on it. I'll give it 5 stars just to offset the people giving it 1 for no other reason then they dont like Gene. As for peter criss and ace. I say, im glad they are gone. Enough of the crying and complaining. Tommy & Eric are 100 times better then peter & ace could ever hope to be. Another plus is I'll never have to here Beth in concert ever agian. Whoever told peter he could sing in the 1st place. kiss rules, Now that they have a dedicated guitar player and drummer, maybe they will make a new KISS album and it wont have to be filled with crap songs from peter and ace just to make them happy."
Listen with your EARS, NOT your......
PressFocus | Wilmington, Delaware USA | 07/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone buying this album expecting to hear "Son of Kiss," must not remember the ecclectic nature of Gene's 1978 solo album. THAT was not purely a hard-rock album, and NEITHER IS THIS. I've read a lot of AMAZON reviews, and a lot of the critics that slam the album sound predisposed to accept nothing other than a hard-rock album from Gene Simmons. Others take the opportunity to slam Kiss, or comment on a bunch of other things that have nothing to do with this album. The least they could do is use spell-check before posting their rants.
Surprisingly, the reviewer for Billboard Magazine got it right -"A**hole" is a pop album at heart. When I say "pop," don't think Britney or Christina, think Beatles' "Rubber Soul," or Beach Boys "Pet Sounds." Now, I'm not saying that "A**hole" is anywhere near the caliber of those classic albums, but it's a solid B+ album with a very 60's feel to it. Maybe that's because both Frank Zappa and Bob Dylan co-wrote songs on the album, but tracks like "Whatever Turns You On" and "Beautiful" have that vibe as well.
True, there's a VERY wide array of musical styles represented here. If you like your albums to sound similar from song to song, "A**hole" is not for you. If that's what you want, go ahead and buy a WASP or Rob Zombie album, as one reviewer suggested.
This is an album that takes a while to sink in. You probably won't "get" every song the first time you hear it. Once it does, it offers quite a few pleasures. If you like your music to be a little challenging, give this one a try.
Track by track:
1. Sweet & Dirty Love - Good, strong rocking opener. The closest thing to a "typical" Kiss song (if there is such a thing) on the album.
2. Firestarter - I like Gene's version much better than Prodigy's - Gene's vocals are a much better fit. But overall, the repetition wears thin quickly. Not my favorite type of song.
3. Weapons Of Mass Destruction - Sounds like a leftover from Gene/Kiss circa "Animalize." Chorus could have a stronger hook.
4. Waiting For The Morning Light - Pretty song. Gene, not Bob Dylan apparently wrote the lyrics, so there's nothing too deep going on. Pleasant, but unremarkable.
5. Beautiful - Here's where things start to get real interesting. Gene sings a sympathetic song about a transgender/transvestite. Strong hook and chorus on this one.
6. A**hole - Funny song. Should go over well in a crowded bar. Could have been funnier, though. As it is, it's a bit light. It needs another verse.
7. Now That You're Gone - Apparently about Gene's father. Having the children (including Gene's daughter) sing the chorus at the end was a great idea.
8. Whatever Turns You On (Turns Me On) - I really like this one. Sounds like something from the late 60s or early 70s. Loose and fun with a very catchy chorus.
9. Dog - Very cool, especially following "Whatever Turns You On" on the CD. It's the kind of song that sticks in your head after you hear it. As Gene sings, "I like it...."
10. Black Tongue - Excellent all around. Psychedelic flavor and a "sing-along" chorus. The entire Zappa family can be heard here. A nice tribute to Frank.
11. Carnival Of Souls - Reminds me of "Weapons" a bit, but this is a better song. Cool how the tempo slows down on the chorus. Good guitar solo.
12. If I Had A Gun - One of my favorites (perhaps my favorite) on the album. A dark song with a bright chorus. Gene's vocal perfectly captures the inner pain of a guy who can't take it anymore. The female vocal counterpoint in the chorus really makes the song.
13. 1,000 Dreams - You'll either love it or hate it. I love it. Perhaps the best written song on the album (expect someone to cover this and have a hit with it in a few years). I think Gene invented a new musical genre with this one - "Tropical Country."
Normally, this CD would merit 4 stars from me, but I'm giving it 5 to counteract the one-star voters who should either stop listening to music altogether, or listen a whole lot harder.
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1