Music has a profound way of connecting with people; many listen for pleasure—others find that their playlist reflects their emotions. I admire the artistry of unique sounds and messages, as well as the craftsmanship to create modern masterpieces.

In this column, I would like to share my perspective on albums spanning across all different eras and genres, ranking songs in order of enjoyment. In this issue, I will be diving into Dynasty, a 1979 hit album by KISS.  

I Was Made For Lovin’ You #2 

Starting, this song opens the album with a bang, daunting the listener with a heavy snare drum through the nostalgic vinyl crackle. The iconic chord progression instantly draws me in to listen over again. 

The song later bridges with a heavy open bass drum line and what I assume is a synth lead, followed by a drum fill that any drummer will feel in their soul. The brief guitar solo grabs and sets a suitable tone for the album. 

The message within the lyrics, though self-explanatory, is quite provocative, opening the record with KISS’ most thematic topic: romantic and physical desire.  

2,000 Man #8 

Originally written by “The Rolling Stones” in 1967, this piece is anthemic with its repeated guitar riff and steady bass drum in the KISS-interpreted version. Ace Frehley reworks the 60’s original with a surprising, grunge-like edge.

 The lyrics leave room to interpret, though it can be understood that the artist sees the world changing around him and perhaps fears losing the ambitiousness of his 1960s self: “My kids, they just don’t understand me at all.”  

Sure Know Something #1 

This song is a personal favorite of mine. It pulls away from the band’s original sound in the introduction and breaks into the iconic KISS lines in the chorus. Undeniably catchy, this song is also carried heavily by a bass guitar line that follows a close melody to the vocals. 

The retro sounds from the vinyl pull the listener deeper into this song, resonating with many different tones and leaving the audience reacting to a sequence of unexpected sounds. The lyrics describe the reflection of the artist in correlation to a lost lover. 

The line, “you showed me things they never taught me in school,” of course, nods to the band’s intimate lyrical themes. The relationship with this person left the artist feeling “paralyzed” as if not wanting it to end.  

Dirty Livin’ #3 

Another anthemic piece, the backup vocals inside of this song carry the melody with an aggressive crescendo that enables a soulful resonance. The song’s placement within the album is more than ideal, pushing into the second half with some excitement and confidence. The bassline bridge repeats often and is essential, walking down the key and breaking from the song’s funky rock pattern. 

This track also pulls away from the rock aspect of this record, carrying more of a disco-funk-pop beat. Lyrically, this Dirty Livin’ references a different side of the band, hinting at signs of addiction—though the band was known for steering clear of drugs and alcohol, with some exceptions noted in their history.  

Charisma #6  

I admire the transition between Dirty Livin’ and Charisma, though I find the chorus in this song to be overly repetitive. The vocals in the bridge resemble the tone of Billy Idol, which draws me in as a fan of his. Lyrics carry very little weight in this song as the chorus is repeated frequently, though the grand scheme questions the artist’s lover as to what attracts them: “what is my charisma?” 

Magic Touch #4 

I enjoy the scaling guitar line as well as the notably heavy drum line throughout this song. This piece doesn’t disappoint in lyrics, catch, instrumentation, or variety in any sense. It separates itself from the other popular songs in the album, setting it high on my list. It is a solid listen from start to finish, making a few pattern changes which works in this case, would otherwise take away from the consistency of the album.  

Hard Times #5 

Similar to Magic Touch, the differentiation in beat and pattern in this song is quite enjoyable. I find that this song sits ahead of its time as, like 2,000 Man, it features a chorus that feels reminiscent of a grunge sound that would later emerge in the 1990s. I find that KISS assorts a variety of rock eras into this song which, although not making it higher on my list, is a positive trait.  

X-Ray Eyes #7  

I don’t find that this song separates itself from others in this album I would still find it a significant place in one of my playlists. I found that the lyrics were the determining factor in my appreciation for this song. The creativity behind the lyrics: “I’ve got X-Ray Eyes, and I can see right through your lies,” grabs me and leaves room for contextual interpretation, with a straightforward message.  

Save Your Love #9 

I don’t find this song to grab my attention in comparison to that of the other eight song choices, leaving me somewhat disappointed in the ending of the album. I think that a rearrangement in the song sequence would greatly enhance the listening experience of this album, however, the exit verses from instruments and closing drum solo are strong and carry an exciting and upbeat tone for the final moments of the record.  

This record is both a classic and a personal favorite of mine and I definitely recommend giving it a listen, especially for those who appreciate 60’s and 70’s era rock.