Let Me Rock You

Where Criss once commanded "shake it one time for Peter," now the singing drummer pleads for permission to rock you in the doo woping Russ Ballard title track. This is defiantly a kinder, gentler Cat Man strut, and with a star-studded cast of second stringers supplying songs and support, Let Me Rock You is some kind of bizarre collector's item. Rising star Steve Stevens slips in a softie called "First Day in the Rain," letting loose some typically beautiful pyrotechnics in the break. John Waite does a better "Tears," but not by much. Criss even takes Bryan Ferry to task with an odd reading of "Jealous Guy" (sans whistling, so why bother?). Our boy from Brooklyn actually co-wrote a deuce: the tomcatting Gary Cooper nooner "Move on Over" and "Bad Boys," which brings the Devil to his knees. Plus, a certain Gene Simmons offers up the chugging "Feel Like Heaven." Criss graces the cover without makeup or shirt, which is apropos, as mad Vini Poncia brings his enjoyable Kiss Unmasked sensibilities to the production. With 40 minutes of slick silliness that will slide right through your psyche, Let Me Rock You may easily be the aural equivalent of catnip. ~ Doug Stone