Perhaps the major problem with Rock and Roll Over is that the best songs on the album just aren't really that great. They are generally upbeat rock songs that, when played within the context of an average KISS album, are recognisable and foot tapping at their best. The lyrics are repetitive and for the most part inane. The opening tracks "I Want You" and "Take Me" are the best examples of those songs here. They aren't terrible, they just aren't particularly exciting either.
It is somewhat of a surprise that a track like "Calling Dr. Love" makes the grade. In the end it is one of Gene's best tracks in that he derives enough attitude in his vocals to drive the song when the guitars fail to do their job. It should have been a much more pro-active song with the dual guitars, but in the long run it survives in popularity on the back of Gene's vocals. Who ever thought that would happen?
"Ladies Room" is one of the dud tracks available. The vocals can't hold this song. It is just an average track. "Baby Driver" sounds great, with the band doing everything right, but the repetitive vocals kill the mood about halfway through the song, which is a shame.
The second half of the album doesn't do a lot to redeem the first half. "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" again over indulges in the repetitive chorus line, which will work in a sing-along environment if the song is strong enough to hold it. Again, I think the first half of the song works well, before it just fades out to a whimper. "Mr. Speed" has some very Rolling Stones sounding riffs and melodies running through it, so much so that I almost expect to hear Mick Jagger singing the vocals. Sadly I think the Stones could have done more with the song also. The short and sharp "See You in Your Dreams" tries to up the tempo, though the basic lyrics again seem to halt the efforts of the musical side of the song.
Just for good measure, the band then throws us another curve ball, as Peter Criss serves up his Rod Stewart impersonation with "Hard Luck Woman". For a band that often tried to claim it was ground breaking and cutting edge, the number of songs on this album that sound like replicas of other 1970's-era rock songs is amusing. Again though, Rod Stewart would have done this better. The album is completed by "Makin' Love", which while again implementing a similar repeating theme lyrically does at least provide more energy than most of the songs that precede it, closing the album on an upbeat note that decries those levels for the majority of the record.
Lyrically we all know where Kiss spent most of its headspace. In the cases where their collective tongues are stuck firmly in their cheek, then they can get away with a certain level of mediocrity. Here on Rock and Roll Overthere is little that stands out from the collective as outstanding material, leaving the album to wade in the waves of averageness.
Rating: "So if you please get on your knees, there are no bills, there are no fees". 2.5/5
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