Given the massive success of their previous album, the experimental "Destroyer" (produced by Bob Ezrin and featuring the surprise ballad hit “Beth”), Kiss could have played it safe and continued in that direction—or returned to the raw hard rock of their first four albums. They chose the latter. Reuniting with Eddie Kramer, the producer of their 1975 breakthrough album "Alive!" and their very first demo, Kiss rented the Nanuet Star Theater in upstate New York to record their next album, "Rock and Roll Over". With a more direct, in-your-face production, "Rock and Roll Over" is one of Kiss’s most consistent albums. Two of the album’s best tracks became hit singles—the sleazy hard rocker “Calling Dr. Love” and an acoustic ballad originally intended for Rod Stewart, “Hard Luck Woman” (later covered by country star Garth Brooks). But like all other classic rock albums, the lesser-known material is often just as strong—“I Want You” and “Makin' Love” became concert staples over the years, while “Mr. Speed” is one of the most underrated songs in Kiss’s catalog. Also included are fan favorites “Take Me,” “Ladies Room,” “Love ’Em and Leave ’Em,” and the original version of “See You in Your Dreams,” which was later re-recorded for Gene Simmons’ 1978 solo album.
- Greg Prato (AllMusic)
