Friday, October 4, 2002
Hi Colette,
     ...I'm getting excited about your new venture. I'm going to buy a KISS cd and listen to some of their music. It will be a first for me. But as a music lover I should try it out and listen with an open mind. I'll let you know the results...
     -Old Geezer/Grandmother/Celebrity's Aunt/Writer!

Friday, October 4, 2002
Hi,
I'm back... Okay, back to business. I spent the ride home with The Very Best of KISS. Their music is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I liked Strutter their first song, then C'mon and Love Me...not bad. Rock and Roll All Night was not something I'd like to listen to in the morning, but at four in the afternoon it was better than a jolt of caffeine. When Beth came on I thought I was listening to another group. I really enjoyed it. Didn't get much farther but will listen to the rest next time I'm in the car. I'm not going to get hooked, mind you (I'm already an American Idol junkie) but I now understand why you like their music.
Love, from a conservative KISS fan..........Aunt Paula

Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Hi Colette,
     ...My day started by uncovering the tomato plants and roses as we had a frost last night. Then I baked banana bread...Then I did ironing while listening to more KISS. It was around 10:00 AM so could only listen to the next six songs. I think KISS and I should spend our time together in the afternoon!
    Anyway, the long and short of it...
    I Want You - I liked the blend of voices when they sang "In the morning...etc." They should do more of this for the over sixty crowd! If there is an over sixty crowd who listen to them. I may be a crowd of one!
     Calling Dr. Love - It was fair. Guitar solo a little much but I liked the drums.
     Hard Luck Woman - I really liked it. I understood all the words. People do listen to words these days, don't they?
     I Stole Your Love - Catchy!
     Christine Sixteen - Didn't like the over-talk. They have to "have" a sixteen-year-old "hottie." That's not my cup of tea. See, I listen to the words.
     Love Gun - Listened all the way through but didn't like it from the beginning...Sorry to those who love the song!
     That's all from the sixty-plus, first time listener to KISS, critic.
     This "KISS LISTENING" is fun. I hope I haven't trashed a song you really love. By the way, do you have a favorite?

     ed. I don't have a favorite, Aunt Paula. It usually depends on my mood and whatever's going on in my life. Love Gun usually gets a thumbs up from me, but I respect your opinion.

Thursday, January 30, 2003
Hi Colette,

News flash...

Conservative Aunt/Closet Rock Listener was seen driving down the highway on her way to "cover the gray." (She may love being a grandmother but doesn't want to look like one.)  She was beating out rhythm on her steering wheel and shifting wildly in the driver's seat. Come to find out she was singing Lick It Up, Lick It Up with KISS as the song from their CD The Very Best Of KISS poured forth from the sound system of her SUV.

Yes, I'm back to finish the review I started back in October of 2002. I went back and started with Strutter again, just to get in the mood.  Then went on to Beth, which you know I like and of course I can't get enough of New York Groove.

But, duty called and I went to track 19, Lick It Up. What fun. By the second chorus I was singing Lick It Up, Lick It Up. The beat was fantastic. I really like the second half of this CD better than the first half.

Forever was next. I liked this one too. Wish I could understand all the words. Do you know where I can find the words to the KISS songs? If I understood all they were saying, I think I'd like the songs better...or not!

Then the finale. God Gave Rock and Roll To You II. What an ending. I felt like I was at a concert. Could almost hear the crowd chanting and see arms raised high and waving back and forth. And the words rang true, even for an oldie like me. I was there at the beginning of rock. Although I like my easy listening and jazz these days, there IS a place in my soul where rock and roll resides. Listening to KISS gave that part of me a little nudge. It's still there, I still like it and I loved this last song.

After getting the hair colored, my wonderful husband took the younger looking me to the Beef 'N' Barrel in Olean, NY where you can get the best darn beef on wick in the country. Maybe even the world. We drove home in separate vehicles, as I met him there, so I could listen to KISS again on the way home. After a glass of wine and beef on wick, the music was even better and now that I have listened all the way through, I can forward to my favorites.  So cool! I guess you have made me an "occasional" KISS listener, as long as I can control the volume! Bring on the next album. As always, take care.