KISS - Very Best Of
You wanted the best - you've got it! The hottest band in the world! KISS!!!
Yes-siree-bob, they started out in the early 70's with a radical approach
which had as many people hate them as the army who loved them (and still
do) - the former for the wrong - and latter for the right reasons. Obscured
behind character driven make-up disguises and beyond-glam outfits, it's
not as if they had to do this to make up for a lack of musical ability.
While the prudes thought they were evil incarnate, those who connected
with their incredible rock sound and awesomely spectacular live show got
more than their money's worth. After a decade of obscuring their identities
and original guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss replaced by
several new members, they removed the make-up. Somehow it lost the magic
for me, but their songs were still great. Albums like Asylum
and Hot
In The Shade
didn't do much for me, but Revenge
returned with a harder edge. A few years back after a reunion session
for an Unplugged show, the original line-up got back together for a sold
out world tour filled with the original colour, fire and flavour of the
shows that spawned the Kiss
Alive II
album. While many of you may still have your LPs from the 70's & 80's,
maybe it's time you relived them. This collection spans a great career
of many decades and even though a mere 21 track single disc is probably
only halfway there, it's still a fine selection. Some of the gems (which
feature equal vocal duties by head honchos Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley)
include Deuce, Hotter Than Hell, Detroit Rock City, I Love It Loud,
I Want You and the disco inflicted sparkler, I Was Made For Lovin'
You. The Kiss
anthemRock And Roll All Night (summing up their philosophy in a
phrase) is performed live while the soppy but highly popular Peter Criss
vocal number Beth is as precious as ever, Hard Luck Woman
drawing equal measures of heartbreak. Sexually driven songs like Calling
Dr. Love, Love Gun and Lick It Up could not be excluded. Frehley's
New York Groove is included as is the moving number Forever (co-written
by Michael
Bolton
of all people!) and the new Kiss
anthem God Gave Rock and Roll To You II. One serious omision is
that of God Of Thunder. This disc will transport you to some really
great times or, if you never had the honour of experiencing Kiss
(for whatever bad reason), you'll hear a soundtrack to your formative
years that you could have had…
6 / A
- PB
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