Detroit Rock City

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Engineer: Allen Sides; Neal Avron; Sank; Sterling Winfield; Tomoo Suzuki; Barry Goldberg
Producer: Tom Zutaut; David Bowie; John Alcock; Drank Sth; Ron Furmnek; Diamond Darrell; Kim Fowley; Marilyn Manson; Pantera; Rob Cavallo; Robert Shimp; Rodger Bain; Ron Furmanek; Sank; Art Alexakis; Steve Kolanjian; Ted Templeman; The Donnas; Vinnie Paul; Bob Ezrin; Tom Zutaut (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Marilyn Manson (vocals); Twiggy Ramirez, John 5 (guitar); M.W. Gacy (keyboards); Ginger Fish (drums); Michael Tuller, Blumpy, Bob Harris, Bon Harris (programming). Audio Mixers: D. Sardy; Dave Sardy; Diamond Darrell; Allen Sides; Neal Avron; Sank; Sterling Winfield; Vinnie Paul. Recording information: Budokan, Japan (04/1978); Chung King, New York, NY (04/1978); Chunk King Studios, New York, NY (04/1978); Westlake Audio (04/1978). To kids of the '70s, Kiss were a rite of passage, or at least a totem of adolescence, so it isn't entirely surprising that a movie like Detroit Rock City came into existence. Green-lighted after the original Kiss reunion was a blockbuster success in 1997, the film is a nostalgic trip about a quartet of teenage stoners (led by the always excellent Edward Furlong) in 1978 and their adventures as they try to see Kiss in Detroit, otherwise known as Rock City. Clearly, a film like this screams for a blend of classic rock and classic rock covers as the soundtrack, and that's exactly what it gets. The true heart of the album is in the classic rock songs: "Running with the Devil," "Iron Man," "Jailbreak," "Surrender," "Rebel Rebel," "Little Willy," and, of course, "Shout It Out Loud" and the title track. They help set the mood, while the covers bring in the younger audience. Apart from the Donnas' "Strutter" and Everclear's "The Boys Are Back in Town," the covers are largely gimmicky -- listen to Pantera's "Cat Scratch Fever"; Drain S.T.H.'s "20th Century Boy," which is similar to Placebo's cover of the T. Rex tune for Velvet Goldmine; and Marilyn Manson's cover of "Highway to Hell" (a song that wasn't released until 1979, by the way), which provokes snickers since you always knew Brian Warner was headed there -- but the remakes are only occasionally embarrassing. Consequently, the album is a good time, even if it isn't as much fun as the film and has as many ups and downs as a typical concert-going experience. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Following a massively successful reunion tour in 1996-1997, Kiss takes the next logical step and commits itself to celluloid. The movie in which the band appears, DETROIT ROCK CITY, focuses on a group of eager teenagers trying to get into a sold-out Kiss concert in 1978. The soundtrack from the movie is an excellent collection of tunes from that era and includes offerings from a number of contemporary artists who pay homage to their '70s heroes. Everclear contributes a rousing version of "The Boys Are Back In Town," altered by a couple of breaks that put the band's stamp on it; Pantera kicks out the heavy metal jams on Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever"; Marilyn Manson works up an angry, techno version of "Highway To Hell"; and The Donnas, self admitted Kiss nuts, offer a respectable and near-identical version of "Strutter." The Kiss Army's hunger is appeased with a new track by the band, "Nothing Can Keep Me From You," a beautiful Diane Warren-penned ballad complete with orchestra. If you're a Kiss fan, '70s rock enthusiast or just want a fun party album, pick up the DETROIT ROCK CITY soundtrack and get Kissed.

Entertainment Weekly (8/6/99, p.65) - "...mixes deathless dirtbag anthems....Highlight: the resurrection of Sweet's sublime glammy-gum 'Little Willie.'" - Rating: B

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