Love Gun | ||||||||||
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Studio album by Kiss | ||||||||||
Released | June 30, 1977 | |||||||||
Recorded | May 1977 | |||||||||
Studio | Record Plant Studios, New York City | |||||||||
Genre | Hard rock | |||||||||
Length | 32:53 | |||||||||
Language | English | |||||||||
Label | Casablanca | |||||||||
Producer | Kiss, Eddie Kramer | |||||||||
Kiss chronology | ||||||||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Blender | |
Pitchfork | (9.2/10) |
Rolling Stone |
Love Gun is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Kiss, released on June 30, 1977 by Casablanca Records. The album was remastered in 1997. It is notable for being their first album to feature a lead vocal performance from Ace Frehley, making it the first Kiss album to feature lead vocal performances from all four band members. It was also the last studio album to feature Peter Criss on every song, as he was replaced by session drummer Anton Fig for all but one song on 1979's Dynasty.Love Gun was certified platinum on June 30, 1977.
A cardboard "Love Gun" (assembly required) was included inside the album, along with a Kiss merchandise order form. Before Love Gun was completed, a Gallup poll indicated that Kiss was the most popular band in the United States, beating Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and the Eagles. On August 26, 27, and 28 1977, Kiss recorded three shows at the LA Forum for their next release, the live album Alive II.
The album cover was painted by fantasy artist Ken Kelly, who previously contributed the cover for 1976's Destroyer.
Written by Paul Stanley, "I Stole Your Love" is in the same vein as songs like "Makin' Love" and "C'mon and Love Me". Stanley has said that this song was influenced by Deep Purple's "Burn".
Then-unknown guitarist Eddie and drummer Alex Van Halen played on the demo of this song, as well as "Got Love for Sale". The lyrics have a similar theme to "Goin' Blind" from Hotter Than Hell; both songs involve older men falling in love with younger girls.