Kiss - Hide Your Heart
1989 was not a vintage year for Kiss. Still unmasked, they released the Hot In The Shade album which was disappointing, both artistically and commercially. It did have its moments however, as this three track single demonstrates as all the tracks here featured on that album.
Hide Your Heart is a Paul song which has a co-writing credit for Desmond Child so you know it's going to be a either catchy rocker or a tearjerking ballad. It's the former and it's a cheesy tale of a love triangle between Johnny, Rosa and Tito. The lyrics are utterly ridiculous. Lines like "Rosa had a lover on the shady side of town, Tito, he was king of the streets" and "Tito looked for Johnny with a vengeance that of God" are ludicrous and smirk enducing yet are delivered so charismatically by Paul Stanley that they become anthemic. The chorus is the real ace though, a huge hook-filled beast which overcomes any lyrical shortcomings.
Betrayed, a Gene song, is a good uptempo, driving rocker which is probably the best track here. Boomerang is the fastest track here. Full of bass runs and guitar leads, this sounds like it could be at home on a Joe Satriani album. Unfortunately, the flashy technique comes at the expense of songwriting.
Overall, an enjoyable enough listen but but certainly not the place to start for a Kiss newcomer.
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