Asylum

Asylum gathers bright keyboards, hard guitar and easily hummed choruses on KISS’s thirteenth album. With Bruce Kulick brought in as a full member, the lineup makes the most of the differing vocal personalities of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons while placing a clear hook in each song. The ache of “Tears Are Falling,” the openness of “Who Wants to Be Lonely,” the drive of “King of the Mountain” and the flair of “Uh! All Night” convey well the melodic-hard appeal KISS excelled at in this period, and the vividly colored production gives off a mid-1980s shine. It is worth noting the solid songwriting and band-level cohesion beneath the flashy surface, while cuts like “Trial by Fire” and “Radar for Love” lend the album drive and dynamics. Taking in the era’s sound yet winning on the strength of its hooks, it is a fulfilling melodic-hard record where KISS’s craftsmanship shows.