The late 80's were hard times for 'Kiss', they constantly tried to prove they could still compete with the up and coming groups and weren't relegated to rock dinosaurs. Unfortunately inconsistent releases and style changes did their cause no good and while album sales were healthy they didn't live up to past glories. Here they go for broke and gift us fifteen tracks clocking in a just under the hour mark. Its a real mixed bag though and overlooking some blatant filler there are some strong tracks hidden away, that have been disregarded.

'Rise to It' starts the album off in good stead, the 'Badlands' style intro develops into a quality 'Kiss' style rocker, with plenty of quality harmonies and strong rhythm. Continuing in fine form is 'Betrayed' a 'Gene Simmons' led number, that is supported by some fine backing vocals, with well executed choruses and nice licks from 'Bruce Kulick'. Two singles were lifted from the album first up is 'Hide your Heart', a pretty generic effort but the superbly sung choruses really lift it above the ordinary and make up for the ropy lyrics. The second is 'Forever' a track co-written with 'Michael Bolton' and as you would expect is a sugar coated ballad, that could be by any similar group at the time. Back on track is the solid groover 'Prisoner of Love' and features some choice soloing and lyrics that although simplistic, work very effectively. 'Love's like a Slap in the Face' tries to recapture some of the glory from the previous decade but doesn't really come off, as the song writing degenerates into the crude and predictable. The first side finishes with the admirable 'Paul Stanley' penned rocker 'Silver Spoon' which makes for an enjoyable romp as the punchy vocals meet with fine guitaring for an enjoyable romp. Side two kicks off with the 'Gene Simmons' penned 'Cadillac Dreams' another generic lightweight rocker and although it holds a sharp chorus is ultimately disappointing with its predictable lyrics. More solid work is found on 'The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away', which throughout holds a certain rawness which is emphasised by the strong base lines and probably owes a bit to 'Guns N' Roses', the soloing is also strong. As you expect from a fifteen track album there is some filler and I would rank the following under that category, 'Read my Body' is Kiss's lame attempt at a 'Def Leppard' chart smash, the dull mid tempo plodder 'You Love me to Hate You' and the plain weak 'Somewhere between Heaven and Hell'. Other better tracks include 'King of Hearts', with the underrated 'Bruce Kulick' again shining and the 'Eric Carr' sung 'Little Caesar'. The album closes respectably with the fast paced rocker 'Boomerang' that features some of the best guitar work on the album.

Sadly this would be the last album for drummer 'Eric Carr' who lost his battle against cancer in 1991.