“Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
The quote from Forrest Gump really sums up my feelings about the record after listening to the record for a couple of weeks. Eric Carr “Unfinished Business” is a really difficult record to have a strong opinion about one way or the other.
The first couple of days I just tried really hard to understand what kind of “creature” Loretta wanted to make with this release (of course I understand It’s a tribute to Eric). It goes in all different directions with cover songs, new recordings of Eric songs and original demos. When It’s good It’s really great and when It’s bad the record is terrible.
Let’s take a little run trough of the songs first.
1. Just Can’t Wait (3:55) Carr / Kulick / Mitchell (1987)
Solid 80′s rock song. As a big Danger Danger fan It’s difficult to dislike Ted Polyes vocals.
Not a classic but a song that easily could have replaced a Gene og Paul song on a Kiss record in the 80′s.
2. Troubles Inside You (2:28) Carr / Weissman (1987)
Rough demo sound. But I really like the song. A really strong demo with Mich Weissman on vocals.
This is a song that should have been included on a Kiss record one way or the other.
3. No One’s Messin’ With You (3:14) Carr / Kulick (1989)
Another demo version of what would become Little Ceasar.
I must admit to not liking the finished product on HITS or the Ain’t That Perculiar demo on the box set very much.
This version is much better than both of those two. The song has a much better flow than the others.
4. Carr Jam 1981 (3:11) Carr
Well. Sounds fine and well played. But quite pointless on a record like this. It would have been better to re-record one of the
demos from Rockology.
5. Shandi (3:55) Stanley / Poncia
Oh my God! This is terrible. Sounds like a band on a old persons vacation with a drunk Eric singing over the music.
The original version of Shandi on the audition tape isn’t very good. But this is much worse. It would have been much better to include the original tape.
6. All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose (4:28) Carr / Stanley / Simmons / Vincent
As with Carr Jam is well played and sounds good. But I really don’t like Kiss covers in general so I really don’t do much for me.
7. Dial L For Love (2:52) Carr / Mitchell (1987)
Demo with quite rough sound without vocals. Cool idea that could have been something really good.
8. Elephant Man (3:59) Carr / Clements / Bob Gilmartin
Nice to finally hear the song even if Eric didn’t have the chance to record It. I really like the song and Bob Gilmartin vocals.
Probably the biggest positive surprise for me on the record.
9. Midnite Stranger (2:22) Carr (1986)
Again a rough demo with quite rough sound without vocals. Cool idea that could have become something great.
10. Eyes Of Love (3:47) Carr / Kulick / Mitchell (1989)
New version of the song that also was featured on Rockology. Not the best song on Rockology and I really don’t think this version ads much to it.
11. Through The Years (5:06) Carr
Samples from Eric’s drums solos “through The Years”. Totally pointless except from the sentimental value.
12. I Cry at Night (2:07) Carr (The Cellarmen 1967)
I really love the old Cellarmen and other stuff that exist in trading circles. And “I Cry at Night” is still a really cool song.
As a ‘Kiss purist’ I would really just have preferred old demos etc. And there is enough old Cellarmen etc. material to fill this record all by It self. Then again the recordings of “Just Can’t Wait” and “Elephant Man” are cool songs to hear. The two covers are really pointless but good performances. But what they/Loretta was thinking of when they recorded new music tracks to Eric’s vocal tracks for Shandi I really don’t know. Somebody should have stept up and said this doesn’t sound good at all.
Even with these imperfections I have a real soft spot for the record. It’s not close to Rockolgy or the Rockheads EP. But It’s a nice collection that all Eric fans should have. The artwork is really beautiful and the liner notes are good.
Verdict: 6/10