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



...CLOSE THIS WINDOW WHEN YOU'RE DONE
TO HAVE A LOOK AT SOME MORE CD RELEASES...

6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A - Multiple Listening Prospects
B - Deserves Another Spin
C - Once Should Suffice