We were sent a few copies of Spin the Bottle: A tribute to KISS a few months ago, but held off on posting the review because the artwork had not been released yet. Well, now that I've seen the artwork, I don't know why I just didn't go into Photoshop and make a nice cover to go along with this coaster.
Actually, that's a bit harsh. I should preface this by saying that one of the two copies we were sent was shipped right up to our own FoundryMusicMarc, who sent back a review typed in all capital letters that read something like this: "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!"
I don't think it's that detestable. I just think it could have been approached differently. For the most part, this disc is a glorified cover album, featuring two members of the band; Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer. Had they approached Spin The Bottle the same way Kiss My Ass was put together about ten years ago, then you would have had something cool. Kiss My Ass was great because it featured interpretations of KISS songs by people who wouldn't normally play them, like STEVIE WONDER & LENNY KRAVITZ, GARTH BROOKS, and THE MIGHTY BOSSTONES. Spin the Bottle is compiled mostly of KISS peers or bands that might have opened for Kiss at one time. Check out the track list:
1. Detroit Rock City / Dee Snider
2. Love Gun / Tommy Shaw (feat. Steve Luather and Tim Bogart)
3. Cold Gin / Mark Slaughter (feat. Roben Ford)
4. King of the Night Time World / Chris Jericho
5. Calling Doctor Love / Page Hamilton (feat. Mike Porcaro)
6. I Want You / Kip Winger
7. God of Thunder / Buzz Osborne
8. Shout It Out Loud / Lemmy Kilmeister
9. Parasite / Doug Pinnick (feat. Vinnie Colaiuta)
10. Strutter / Phil Lewis
11. I Stole Your Love / Robin McAuley (feat. Tony Franklin and Aynsley Dunbar)
Every song is an accurate recreation of the classic Kiss tune, and they're all performed very well. None of them really perks your ears up and makes you think "Holy shit...WHO THE HECK is playing THIS?" I will give props to King Buzzo of the MELVINS for his "God Of Thunder" growling, as well as Page Hamilton of HELMET for tearing up "Dr. Love". Dee Snider also should receive an honorable mention, because his vocals are unmistakable on "Detroit Rock City". Everyone else is just a talented guy in a local bar band who can sing Kiss tunes on key...and not necessarily guys who act as attractive selling points for a compilation like this.
Ultimately, I don't think the world needs another KISS tribute disc...and that's coming from a guy who worships at the altar of Gene Simmons... because he's rich and tags much ass.
