I just listened all the way through for the first time yesterday and it's good and bad. Definitely schizophrenic in areas. Oddly enough I think the second half is stronger than the first, which is rare for albums these days. I absolutely love Secret Agents of Lust and Beast of Summer. But songs like Rich Girl and Downtown...I will push the skip button everytime.

Overall I like and can hear the influences you mention. As well as tons of Love Gun-era Kiss.