Music review: Paul Stanley鈥檚 Soul Station – 鈥楴ow and Then鈥�
Over more than a year into a pandemic that has forced us to isolate ourselves from the everyday activities once taken for granted, we have all experienced oddities that could fill a book detailing life during lockdown.
Many artists have taken advantage of the downtime to reflect back on their musical influences by searching for memories that evoke simpler times filled with great expectations and self-fulfillment.
Paul Stanley has used this period to venture down a new road. It鈥檚 a journey that leaves the mean streets of rock 鈥榥鈥� roll for a celebratory jaunt embracing the soulful sounds of Motown and Philadelphia.
鈥淣ow and Then鈥� highlights Stanley鈥檚 yearning to pay tribute to the sounds of his youth with the assistance of his new side project. Soul Station provides the Kiss co-founder and frontman with a group of distinguished musicians (including current Kiss drummer Eric Singer) and backing vocalists dedicated to their craft in a way that elevates Stanley鈥檚 unmistakable talent to a higher level.
The 14-track debut release features nine passionate covers from legendary artists like Al Green and Smokey Robinson as well as five original tracks that seamlessly pair the old and new perfectly together as part of one glorious R&B lovefest.
The 69-year-old Stanley sounds rejuvenated as he masters a new genre that makes a resounding impact without the need for makeup, costumes and dramatic stage theatrics.
From the very first moments of the smooth backing vocals and floating horns ushering in Stanley鈥檚 almost unrecognizable soft voice on album opener 鈥淐ould It Be I鈥檓 Falling in Love,鈥� there鈥檚 no mistaking that something special is happening here.
Stanley delivers on-the-money interpretations of unforgettable soul tracks like 鈥淥-o-h Child,鈥� 鈥淭he Tracks of My Tears,鈥� 鈥淟et鈥檚 Stay Together,鈥� 鈥淥oo Baby Baby鈥� and 鈥淟a-La Means I Love You.鈥� The seasoned artist also shines on new numbers 鈥淚 Do,鈥� 鈥淚, Oh I鈥� and 鈥淟orelei,鈥� demonstrating he can pen satisfying R&B tunes about love just as rewarding as thundering rock anthems about endless partying.
Stanley鈥檚 latest project proves that rock and soul can beautifully coexist in the proper hands.