- advertisement -

KISSIN DYNAMITE
Not The End Of The Road
Napalm Records

Hmmm... So Not The End Of The Road is my first foray into the illustrious 6 album deep discography of the KISSIN DYNAMITE and up to this point I only being barely a cursory observor of what the band was about or the music they delivered and Not The End Of The Road has left me a little perplexed. I know a great many supporters within the MHR community scream their respective praises for anything and everything that KD has released and Not The End Of The Road was not going to be an exception to this opinion.

Stepping back what intregued me to partake in this review was stumbling upon the single/video for "Yoko Ono", which many may consider not the norm from KD and their Iron Eagle, "Eye of The Tiger", 80's inspired movie soundtrack or future TV advert formula (in particular the title track, "Only The Dead", "Coming Home", "Defeat It"), not a bad thing and with a monster production (s), gang vocals and musicianship I can see why many clamor for this stuff. For me "Yoko Ono" resonated instantly with its punch in the gut opening solo and the "Yoko Ono" female vocal that fell right into an equally punchy verse that segued into what can only be described as an homage to the DAN REED NETWORK, in particular their classic, "Tiger In A Dress" which is an inspired arena rock anthem. This song is absolutely brilliant and what peaked my interest in the band and this write up.

"What Goes Up" steps away from the movie soundtrack vibe into a straight ahead arena rocker that is as infectuous as it is well played and produced. Very much like the guitar tricks in this one, lot's of whamy work and it sounds real cool as it pairs and intertwines with the song proper. "Good Life" is a really well crafted, postive influence providing anthem, with strong supporting cast of performers featuring Charlotte Wessels, Alea der Bescheidene (SALTATIO MORTIS) and Guernica Mancini (THUNDERMOTHER). It is more than noteworthy that proceeds from the single and some related merch sales were directed to children cancer awareness and how very noteworthy for the band to provide such awareness and thoughtfulness. "All For A Hallelujah" is a fine example of another mid tempo arena rocker that has a glorious intro and verse, with extra points for the drum only verse into the music filled version and speaking of the drumming, this particualr song makes an emphasis focusing on some nifty driving beats, fills and the triplets and psuedo solo towrds the end are well deserved emphasis' on the man that holds the back end together. The solo, although short is certainly sweet. "No One Dies A Virgin", like "Yoko Ono" is a "humorous" approached rocker that spells out the obvious for anyone currently living and I like the unsubtleness of this one. Of note the verse has a JUDAS PRIEST Turbo Lover feel to it that gets chucked out the window for the chorus. I like it, for not only the content, but another really nice solo and the add of finger picking after it. If wishes were horses I would have asked for a little double bass in the outro chorus as the band was in overdrive at this point and that little add would have cherry on topped this well crafted song. "Coming Home" is a fine example of a cigerette lighter love song with its powerful yet dialed back vocals (the addition of the wraspy almost spent sounding vocal in the outtro is a very nice touch, swelling keys and infectious sing along, heart felt and impactful presentation. I can imagine many an individual proclaiming that "KD wrote this for me and how I am feeling" not to far removed from classics like "Still Loving You" and "Open Arms". "Voodoo Spell" has a steller opening and in any live scenario I can see the crowd going crazy for it as it starts slow, yet pointed, gets fast, slows, and then starts ticking back up in the pre chorus, and then the chorus hits and the crowd is putty in KD's hands. This is a nicely thought out song, the intro and the repeated tangent in the solo's outtro work well. The album closer will certainly surprise the listener. "Scars" is a really well put together ballad. As with the bulk of the record, "Scars" is another well thought out and crafted song, incorperating plenty of road map milestones of a ballad that grabs the listener and takes them along for the journey. Of particular note is the vocals, which is dramatically different from the norm on the album and the how the keys and strings blend with the band to create a seemless pleasing song. The ending is by far the coolest outro on the album.

Summorizing the album is a Jekyl and Hyde for me, half pretty formulaic, soundtrack or beer commercial songs and then a handful of dingers. All well written, performed, ticking all the right boxes with gang vocals, soaring solos and heartfelt balladry and the production, oof, just some are particularly more exciting to my ears than others. Even on my craptastic headphones the mix was spot on, punchy, nothing buried, crisp, well done. I can certainly see folks clamoring for Not The End Of The Road as it in its entirity has captured a large chunk of the mid 80's, modernized it and that nostalgia trigger alone will be very very appealing to many.

3.5 Out Of 5.0 (5.0 Out Of 5.0 if it was just a single for "Yoko Ono")

https://www.facebook.com/Kissindynamiterocks
https://www.kissin-dynamite.de/en/