It’s not only the most polarizing album in KISS’ entire catalog, it’s one of the most polarizing rock albums of all time. By December 1979, original drummer Peter Criss was out the door. Anton Fig, Ace’s solo album drummer, filled in for the bands ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Unmasked’ albums. Still to this day, KISS’ most underrated albums. However, Fig was only a studio drummer and Criss was replaced officially by Eric Carr. Who would go on to become one of the greatest hard rock drummers of all time. And the first studio album he officially played on was 1981’s ‘Music From The Elder.’
Forever echeloned as one of rocks most radically polarizing albums. And honestly, it really has it’s moments. KISS were looking for a new direction. And wether their instincts were correct or not, they still produced an album that has some pretty amazing moments. Yes, the first few songs are a horrible attempt at being a progressive band. Something that led original lead guitarist Ace Frehley to leave after the albums release. But, as the album progresses, it gets better and better. And, as a whole, it re-establishes KISS as a heavy rock band.
However, the beginning of the album is horriffic. ‘Just a Boy’ is scary bad. And it’s understandable why so many fans fell off of the KISS wagon when hearing the initial tracks. But as the album progresses, the songs get stronger and stronger. The fourth track ‘Only You,’ is when the album begins to pick up. It’s a great hard rock rock ballad with a killer, simple bridge that ear worms itself into your mind. ‘Under the Rose’ is an epic KISS ballad that could fit on the Batman Forever soundtrack. And that’s a compliment honestly.
The back end of the album is really excellent honestly. ‘Dark Light’ is one of Ace Frehley’s most underrated tracks in his entire career. Including a face melting solo for the ages. And that’s only the begining. ‘A World Without Heroes’ is a quality, short ballad. Perhaps not something KISS is known for writing, but it’s still a good song.
The album finishes out with some of the best KISS material in their storied catalog. ‘The Oath’ roars with epic hard rock quality. A terrific song. ‘Mr. Blackwell’ is a fun, groovy piece that still retains the overall story of the album. Ace’s instrumental ‘Escape from the Island’ is an overlooked gem. And the album closer, ‘I’ is certainly one of the KISS tracks that could have been a lasting signature song. That, along with ‘The Oath,’ had the power to really push KISS to the next level. But those songs weren’t promoted as much as ‘A World Without Heroes’ and the album fell flat.
But that doesn’t mean that overall it’s not a totally bad ass album. As a whole, it remains KISS’ most underrated album. It’s understandable that there’s many fans who dislike the album. But I truly believe that it’s because the album was simply marketed wrong. It remains Ace Frehley’s last album with the band as a whole. He returned for a few tracks on 1998’s ‘Psycho Circus,’ but he never regained what he did from ‘Music From the Elder’ and previous. Which alone makes ‘Music from the Elder’ an album to celebrate.
