With the massive success of their previous album, the experimental
Bob Ezrin
-produced
Destroyer
(which contained the surprise
ballad
hit
"Beth"
),
Kiss
could have taken the safe route and continued in that direction -- or return to the raw
hard rock
of their first four albums. They chose the latter. Hooking back up with
Eddie Kramer
, the producer of their 1975 breakthrough release
Alive!
and their very first demo,
rented out
the Nanuet Star Theater
in upstate New York to record their next album,
Rock and Roll Over
. With a more direct, in-your-face production,
is one of
' most consistent records. Two of the album's best tracks became hit singles -- the sleazy hard rocker
"Calling Dr. Love"
and an acoustic
that was originally intended for
Rod Stewart
,
"Hard Luck Woman"
(later covered by
country
star
Garth Brooks
). But like all other classic
rock
albums, the lesser-known material is often just as strong --
"I Want You"
and
"Makin' Love"
became concert staples over the years, while
"Mr. Speed"
is one of the most underrated songs in
' catalogue. Also included are the fan favorites
"Take Me,"
"Ladies Room,"
"Love 'Em and Leave 'Em,"
and the original version of
"See You in Your Dreams,"
which was later re-recorded for
Gene Simmons
' 1978 solo album. ~ Greg Prato