Kiss are hugely popular. Their image is part of the appeal. It is a love it or hate it image (or more accurately, sneer or laugh at it), which presents them as something of a juvenile comic band. It brought them attention, but even the band tired of it, much to the disappointment of their immature fans.
Their music has not really caught my attention. But they are a big selling band, so I'm having a quick look into their albums, singles, and videos. .
Kiss (commonly styled in all caps) was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Known for their face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with shock rock–style live performances that featured fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits and pyrotechnics. The band went through several lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons remaining the only consistent members. The final lineup consisted of Stanley, Simmons, Tommy Thayer (lead guitar, vocals) and Eric Singer (drums, vocals).
With their makeup and costumes, the band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters: the Starchild (Stanley), the Demon (Simmons), the Spaceman or Space Ace (Frehley), and the Catman (Criss). During the second half of the 1970s, Kiss became one of America's most successful rock bands and a pop culture phenomenon. The band's commercial success declined during the early 1980s; however, it experienced a resurgence in 1983 when the band members began performing without makeup and costumes, marking the beginning of the band's "unmasked" era that would last until 1996. The first album of this era, 1983's platinum-certified Lick It Up, successfully introduced the band to a new generation of fans, and its music videos received regular airplay on MTV. In response to a wave of Kiss nostalgia in the mid-1990s, the original lineup reunited in 1996; at this time, the band resumed using makeup and stage costumes. The resulting 1996–1997 reunion tour was the band's most successful, grossing $143.7 million. In January 2019, Kiss began its final worldwide tour, and the band retired after performing its final show in New York City in December 2023.
Kiss is regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of all time,[1][2] as well as one of the best selling bands of all time. Kiss has also earned 30 Gold albums, the most of any band from the United States. Kiss has earned 14 Platinum albums, three of which earned multi-Platinum status.[2] The four original members of Kiss (Simmons, Stanley, Criss, and Frehley) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. Kiss was ranked by MTV as the ninth-greatest metal band of all time,[3] placed tenth on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list,[4] was ranked as the third "Best Metal and Hard Rock Live Band of All Time" by Loudwire magazine,[5] and was placed sixteenth by the British magazine Classic Rock on their "The 50 Best Rock Bands of All Time" list.
AllMusic:
KISS: A Critical Summary
Kiss was a force of unrivalled rock and roll power, going through many chapters since first taking over the world as sleazy hard rock superheroes in the '70s. Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, Kiss' early days found them decked out in outrageous costumes and makeup, with a stage show that captured the imaginations of thousands of kids. Their music is commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, earworm melodies, and sweeping strings. It's a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late '80s. In 1983 the band went unmasked, resulting in the platinum-selling LP of the same name, but re-applied the makeup ten years later. Since then, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have remained a potent live draw and have sold over 75 million records worldwide, with highlights arriving via influential efforts like Alive!, Destroyer, Rock & Roll Over, Love Gun, Dynasty, and Lick It Up.
KISS: A Critical Summary
KISS, formed in New York City in 1973, are one of the most commercially successful and visually recognizable rock bands in history. Built around the core members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, the band fused hard rock with theatrical spectacle—face paint, elaborate costumes, pyrotechnics, and exaggerated onstage personas—to create a brand as much as a musical act.
Musically, KISS have often been viewed as straightforward rather than innovative. Their sound draws heavily from 1970s hard rock and glam rock, with simple riffs, anthemic choruses, and a focus on hooks over technical complexity. Albums like Destroyer (1976) and Love Gun (1977) contain enduring rock staples, but critics frequently note that their songwriting rarely pushes stylistic or lyrical boundaries. The band’s emphasis on accessibility and repetition has led to accusations of formulaic output, especially during their prolific late-1970s run.
Lyrically, KISS are unapologetically hedonistic. Songs center on sex, partying, rebellion, and rock-and-roll mythology, often in exaggerated or cartoonish terms. This approach helped them connect strongly with teenage audiences but also reinforced the perception that the band prioritized image and attitude over depth or introspection.
Culturally and commercially, KISS’s impact is undeniable. They pioneered a modern model of rock branding, turning merchandise, mascots, and identity into a massive revenue stream. Their success demonstrated that spectacle could rival—or even outweigh—musical sophistication in building a fan base. At the same time, this commercial focus has fueled criticism that KISS function more as an enterprise than as artists driven by creative risk.
Critically, KISS have long been polarizing. Many reviewers have dismissed them as shallow, overhyped, or cynical, while fans celebrate their honesty, energy, and commitment to entertainment. Over time, critical reassessment has acknowledged that while KISS may not be innovators in the traditional sense, they were innovators in presentation, marketing, and audience engagement.
In sum, KISS occupy a unique place in rock history: not revered for artistic depth or technical mastery, but for their ability to turn rock music into a grand, populist spectacle. Their legacy lies less in redefining the sound of rock and more in redefining how rock could be sold, staged, and mythologized.
Background
Kiss emerged in 1974, a vibrant and varied time in rock music, with album releases such as Van Morrison's powerful live It's Too Late To Stop Now, Brian Eno's extraordinary rich and original debut solo Here Come The Warm Jets, the stunningly influential electronic masterpiece by Tangerine Dream: Phaedra, Steely Dan's jazz-rock triumph Pretzel Logic, Big Star's power pop milestone Radio City, J.J. Cale's sublime laid-back country Okie, Bowie's Diamond Dogs, Sparks' Kimono My House, Sheet Music by 10cc, Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt, 461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton, the funky AWB by The Average White Band, War Babies by Hall & Oates, Crime of the Century by Supertramp, Natty Dread by Bob Marley, Autobahn by Kraftwerk, June 1, 1974 by Kevin Ayers, etc, etc. A wonderful year. On the rock front were ordinary releases by Foghat, Deep Purple, Humble Pie, Grand Funk Railroad, Aerosmith, Geordie (Brian Johnson), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Robin Trower, Nazareth,
Of particular interest are releases by Sweet, Alex Harvey, Slade, and New York Dolls as potential influences on Kiss.
Of particular interest are releases by Sweet, Alex Harvey, Slade, and New York Dolls as potential influences on Kiss.
Wicked Lester
Simons and Stanley - the key members of Kiss - were in a band, Wicked Lester, before they formed Kiss. They recorded an album which wasn't released at the time, and still hasn't been officially released, though a bootleg has come out. Kiss did use some of the songs that Simons and Stanley wrote and recorded for Wicked Lester.
 |
| The Original Wicked Lester Sessions (1972) |
The album is quite funky and rocky. Not bad at all. Should have been released.
There is no official track list - these are the usual songs that appear on bootlegs.
"Sweet Ophelia" (2:56) Barry Mann/Gerry Goffin (originally recorded by Barry Mann)
"Keep Me Waiting" (3:04) Stanley
"Simple Type" (2:33) Simmons
"She" (2:54) Coronel/Simmons
"Too Many Mondays" (3:27) Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil (originally recorded by Barry Mann)
"What Happens in the Darkness" (2:59) Tami Lester Smith (originally released by Infinity)
"When the Bell Rings" (3:11) Austin Roberts (singer)/Christopher Welch (originally released by Newport News)
"Molly" (aka Some Other Guy) (2:23) Stanley
"We Want to Shout It Out Loud" (2:04) Allan Clarke/Terry Sylvester (originally released as "I Wanna Shout" by The Hollies)
"Long, Long Road" (4:28) Stanley
- Paul Stanley (Stanley Eisen) – lead vocals, guitar
- Gene Simmons (Gene Klein) – lead vocals, bass
- Ron Leejack – lead guitar, banjo
- Brooke Ostrander – piano, horns
- Tony Zarrella – drums, percussion
AllMusic: -
Score: 4
Score: 4
Selected recordings
 |
| Kiss (1974) |
A decent early 70s rock album. On a par with others made that year. Sales of the album are generally considered to have been slow initially (and have not really taken off since - despite the group's later fame, the album was given Gold in 1977, but no sales awards since); the album sold 75,000, which, while par for a debut , is not the sales expected of an album supported and toured.
The opening track, Strutter, has an early Seventies rock-boogie feel, displaying the influence that The Rolling Stones had on much mainstream rock at that time. There is also a straight ahead stomping glam rock sound, which carries on through much of the album, particularly on the second track, "Nothin' to Lose", coupled with pop-oriented backing vocals, along with heavy bass, straight-ahead driving drums, and strident eclectic riffs, which puts Kiss into a glam rock or early glam metal (or pop metal) category. There are elements of The Stones served through the glam sleeze of The New York Dolls, plus the stomp of Slade, the theatrical power of Alex Harvey, and the entertaining and melodic pop rock of Sweet.
The band are competent and professional both as a unit and as individuals, without anyone standing out as unique or interesting or particularly skilled. The ending of the last track Black Diamond with its deliberate slowing down is par for the course for the sort of boundary pushing that was happening in albums at the time, though is slightly unusual for a rock album. So, credit for that - the boys can be musically playful.
The album is widely regarded as one of the band's best, sometimes the best; and is considered to be in itself a solid, grooving rock album. A number of the songs became staples of the band's live act.
The band are competent and professional both as a unit and as individuals, without anyone standing out as unique or interesting or particularly skilled. The ending of the last track Black Diamond with its deliberate slowing down is par for the course for the sort of boundary pushing that was happening in albums at the time, though is slightly unusual for a rock album. So, credit for that - the boys can be musically playful.
The album is widely regarded as one of the band's best, sometimes the best; and is considered to be in itself a solid, grooving rock album. A number of the songs became staples of the band's live act.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Strutter" | Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons | Stanley | 3:10 |
| 2. | "Nothin' to Lose" | Simmons | Simmons, Peter Criss, Stanley | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Firehouse" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:18 |
| 4. | "Cold Gin" | Ace Frehley | Simmons | 4:21 |
| 5. | "Let Me Know" | Stanley | Simmons, Stanley | 2:58 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kissin' Time" | Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe | Simmons, Stanley, Criss | 3:52 |
| 2. | "Deuce" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Love Theme from Kiss" | Stanley, Simmons, Criss, Frehley | instrumental | 2:24 |
| 4. | "100,000 Years" | Stanley, Simmons | Stanley | 3:22 |
| 5. | "Black Diamond" | Stanley | Criss, intro by Stanley | 5:11 |
- Paul Stanley (Starchild) – rhythm guitar, vocals
- Ace Frehley (Space Ace) – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Gene Simmons (Demon) – bass, vocals
- Peter Criss (Catman) – drums, vocals
Wikipedia
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4.5
Score: 4.5
 |
| Hotter Than Hell (1974) |
A blues rock opener, in the style of Free and derivative bands. "Going' Blind" is a slow, dark piece, leaning in the direction of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath (dark as Sabbath, rocky as Purple). It's a varied album. Quite attractive, though perhaps not developing a distinctive sound. It sounds similar to the rock albums I list above - all of them decent albums, but none particularly noteworthy. On the whole I like this album a little more than the first. Production is crisper (at least on the 1997 remaster), aligning with the pop-orientation of the band, and the songs are varied and lively.
As with the first album, it sold enough to touch the lower ranks of charts, but was not a big seller. A number of the tracks continue to be played live, and it is generally liked and respected by critics and fans.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Got to Choose" | Paul Stanley | Stanley | 3:54 |
| 2. | "Parasite" | Ace Frehley | Gene Simmons | 3:01 |
| 3. | "Goin' Blind" | Simmons, Stephen Coronel | Simmons | 3:36 |
| 4. | "Hotter than Hell" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:31 |
| 5. | "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" | Simmons, Stanley | Simmons | 2:14 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "All the Way" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:18 |
| 2. | "Watchin' You" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:43 |
| 3. | "Mainline" | Stanley | Peter Criss | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Comin' Home" | Frehley, Stanley | Stanley | 2:37 |
| 5. | "Strange Ways" | Frehley | Criss | 3:18 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals
Wikipedia
AllMusic: 8
Score: 5
Score: 5
_cover.jpg) |
| Dressed to Kill (1975) |
It's an OK album. Last track, "Rock and Roll All Nite", is quite catchy and poppy.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Room Service" | Paul Stanley | Stanley | 2:59 |
| 2. | "Two Timer" | Gene Simmons | Simmons | 2:47 |
| 3. | "Ladies in Waiting" | Simmons | Simmons | 2:35 |
| 4. | "Getaway" | Ace Frehley | Peter Criss | 2:43 |
| 5. | "Rock Bottom" | Frehley, Stanley | Stanley | 3:54 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "C'mon and Love Me" | Stanley | Stanley | 2:57 |
| 7. | "Anything for My Baby" | Stanley | Stanley | 2:35 |
| 8. | "She" | Simmons, Stephen Coronel | Simmons, Stanley | 4:08 |
| 9. | "Love Her All I Can" | Stanley | Stanley | 2:40 |
| 10. | "Rock and Roll All Nite" | Stanley, Simmons | Simmons | 2:49 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4
Score: 4
 |
| Alive! (1975) |
Influenced by Slade Alive! (1972), this double live album was the breakthrough for Kiss. While it's not an a par with the Slade album for production (it sounds murky), for energy and excitement and rawness, nor for sheer fun, it is the best album the band have done so far, and I can see why it was popular with the people who became Kiss fans. It does convey rock excitement, albeit in a rather predictable way which kinda diminishes the excitement a bit. The band are a decent rock band, and they do generate a good rocking atmosphere. It's a shame the songs are not a bit better, and the singers don't have much character in their voices (there's no Noddy Holder here), and the musicians don't do more than play out the music and riffs as they should.
A decent album, for sure, but Slade Alive! it aint!
A decent album, for sure, but Slade Alive! it aint!
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Deuce" | Gene Simmons | Simmons | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Strutter" | Paul Stanley, Simmons | Stanley | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Got to Choose" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Hotter Than Hell" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:11 |
| 5. | "Firehouse" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:42 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nothin' to Lose" | Simmons | Simmons, Peter Criss | 3:23 |
| 2. | "C'mon and Love Me" | Stanley | Stanley | 2:52 |
| 3. | "Parasite" | Ace Frehley | Simmons | 3:21 |
| 4. | "She" | Simmons, Stephen Coronel | Simmons, Stanley, Criss | 6:42 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Watchin' You" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:51 |
| 2. | "100,000 Years" | Stanley, Simmons | Stanley | 12:12 |
| 3. | "Black Diamond" | Stanley | Criss, intro by Stanley | 5:47 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rock Bottom" | Stanley (intro: Frehley) | Stanley | 3:08 |
| 2. | "Cold Gin" | Frehley | Simmons | 5:21 |
| 3. | "Rock and Roll All Nite" | Stanley, Simmons | Simmons | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" | Stanley, Simmons | Simmons | 5:09 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals
AllMusic: 10
Score: 5
Score: 5
 |
| Destroyer (1976) |
The band followed up the attention-getting Alive! with this clean and poppy rock album that immediately became their most popular and commercial, and is widely regarded as their peak. It's a sold, likeable pop-rock album. Though, to be fair, not one that holds much interest for me. I'm OK to listen to it while it's playing, but there's nothing new or exciting or interesting here that will tempt me to reach out and select this album to play for pleasure now I've heard it a few times. God of Thunder appears to be an influence on Lordi's awesome Hard Rock Hallelujah.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Detroit Rock City" | Paul Stanley, Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley | 5:17 |
| 2. | "King of the Night Time World" | Stanley, Kim Fowley, Mark Anthony, Ezrin | Paul Stanley | 3:19 |
| 3. | "God of Thunder" | Stanley | Gene Simmons | 4:13 |
| 4. | "Great Expectations" | Gene Simmons, Ezrin | Gene Simmons | 4:24 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Flaming Youth" | Ace Frehley, Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin | Paul Stanley | 2:59 |
| 6. | "Sweet Pain" | Simmons | Gene Simmons | 3:20 |
| 7. | "Shout It Out Loud" | Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin | Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons | 2:49 |
| 8. | "Beth" | Peter Criss, Stan Penridge, Ezrin | Peter Criss | 2:45 |
| 9. | "Do You Love Me" | Stanley, Fowley, Ezrin | Paul Stanley | 3:33 |
| 10. | "Rock and Roll Party" | Simmons, Stanley, Ezrin | instrumental | 1:25 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4.5
Score: 4.5
 |
| Rock And Roll Over (Nov 1976) |
Leans more into rock and metal than Destroyer. Perhaps a bit too much like New York Dolls, and the clone of Rod Stewart's Maggie May is a bit embarressing, but all in all quite listenable.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Want You" | Paul Stanley | Stanley | 3:04 |
| 2. | "Take Me" | Stanley, Sean Delaney | Stanley | 2:56 |
| 3. | "Calling Dr. Love" | Gene Simmons | Simmons | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Ladies Room" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:27 |
| 5. | "Baby Driver" | Peter Criss, Stan Penridge | Criss | 3:40 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:47 |
| 7. | "Mr. Speed" | Stanley, Delaney | Stanley | 3:18 |
| 8. | "See You in Your Dreams" | Simmons | Simmons | 2:34 |
| 9. | "Hard Luck Woman" | Stanley | Criss | 3:35 |
| 10. | "Makin' Love" | Stanley, Delaney | Stanley | 3:14 |
 |
| Love Gun (1977) |
This is simple commercial stuff, but that's OK. It's not my thing, but I can listen to it and enjoy it. There's room for this kind of stuff. And if you hear it when you are young and impressionable, it's of course going to make an impression on you that is likely to remain for the rest of your life.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Stole Your Love" | Paul Stanley | Stanley | 3:04 |
| 2. | "Christine Sixteen" | Gene Simmons | Simmons | 3:14 |
| 3. | "Got Love for Sale" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:29 |
| 4. | "Shock Me" | Ace Frehley | Frehley | 3:49 |
| 5. | "Tomorrow and Tonight" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:40 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love Gun" | Stanley | Stanley | 3:18 |
| 2. | "Hooligan" | Peter Criss, Stan Penridge | Criss | 3:01 |
| 3. | "Almost Human" | Simmons | Simmons | 2:49 |
| 4. | "Plaster Caster" | Simmons | Simmons | 3:27 |
| 5. | "Then She Kissed Me" | Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector | Stanley | 3:02 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass; rhythm guitar
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4
Score: 4
 |
| Kiss: Ace Frehely (1978) |
All four Kiss members released a solo album with the same style album cover, and same style title. This one by the band's lead guitarist is widely considered the best of the four, and even appears in the top ten of some lists of the best albums by Kiss. It comes across like Suzie Quatro does New York Dolls (well, maybe that's an unfortunate turn of phrase). Anyway, good time music that has no pretentious on being serious. By 1978 this kind of stuff was really old fashioned, but it seems folks were still buying it in basket loads. .
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rip It Out" | Frehley, Larry Kelly, Sue Kelly | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Speedin' Back to My Baby" | Frehley, Jeanette Frehley | 3:37 |
| 3. | "Snow Blind" | 3:55 | |
| 4. | "Ozone" | 4:43 | |
| 5. | "What's on Your Mind?" | 3:28 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "New York Groove" (Hello cover) | Russ Ballard | 3:03 |
| 7. | "I'm in Need of Love" | 4:39 | |
| 8. | "Wiped-Out" | Frehley, Anton Fig | 4:13 |
| 9. | "Fractured Mirror" (instrumental) | 5:26 |
Additional personnel:- Anton Fig – drums, percussion
AllMusic:
Score: 3.5
Score: 3.5
 |
| Unmasked (1980) |
Generally regarded as the weakest of the Kiss albums. It's typically commercial, professional, and weak material. It's less rocky than the early albums, but in keeping with the broader musical direction the band had been going in.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Is That You?" | Gerard McMahon | Paul Stanley | 3:59 |
| 2. | "Shandi" | Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | Paul Stanley | 3:36 |
| 3. | "Talk to Me" | Ace Frehley | Ace Frehley | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Naked City" | Gene Simmons, Vini Poncia, Peppy Castro, Bob Kulick | Gene Simmons | 3:49 |
| 5. | "What Makes the World Go 'Round" | Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | Paul Stanley | 4:14 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Tomorrow" | Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | Paul Stanley | 3:18 |
| 7. | "Two Sides of the Coin" | Ace Frehley | Ace Frehley | 3:16 |
| 8. | "She's So European" | Gene Simmons, Vini Poncia | Gene Simmons | 3:30 |
| 9. | "Easy as It Seems" | Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | Paul Stanley | 3:24 |
| 10. | "Torpedo Girl" | Ace Frehley, Vini Poncia | Ace Frehley | 3:44 |
| 11. | "You're All That I Want" | Gene Simmons, Vini Poncia | Gene Simmons | 3:04 |
Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
Ace Frehley – vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar
Peter Criss – drums (credited, but does not play)
Additional personnel
Anton Fig – drums
Vini Poncia – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals, producer
AllMusic:
Score: 4
Score: 4
 |
| Music From The Elder (1982) |
The band's most ambitious, boldest, most interesting, and yet least liked album. On the whole I think Kiss fans just want familiar and simple rock music. They don't want prog stuff or concept albums. To be fair, this is not the best prog or concept album you're likely to hear. As with much of Kiss, it comes across as a dumbed down copy of what was happening in the early Seventies - and feels more like Spinal Tap's Stonehenge meets a budget Andrew Lloyd Weber, with a bit of Tommy thrown in for good measure, than something by Yes or Jethro Tull. Nevertheless, for me, it's the most interesting, if perhaps not the most enjoyable, of the output by Kiss.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fanfare" | Stanley, Ezrin | instrumental | 1:22 |
| 2. | "Just a Boy" | Stanley, Ezrin | Stanley | 2:25 |
| 3. | "Odyssey" | Powers | Stanley | 5:37 |
| 4. | "Only You" | Simmons | Simmons, Stanley | 4:17 |
| 5. | "Under the Rose" | Carr, Simmons | Simmons | 4:52 |
| 6. | "Dark Light" | Frehley, Fig, Reed, Simmons | Frehley | 4:19 |
| 7. | "A World Without Heroes" | Stanley, Ezrin, Reed, Simmons | Simmons | 2:41 |
| 8. | "The Oath" | Stanley, Ezrin, Powers | Stanley | 4:32 |
| 9. | "Mr. Blackwell" | Simmons, Reed | Simmons | 4:53 |
| 10. | "Escape from the Island" | Frehley, Carr, Ezrin | instrumental | 2:52 |
| 11. | "I" | Simmons, Ezrin | Stanley, Simmons | 5:04 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Ace Frehley – vocals, lead guitar, bass
- Eric Carr – drums, backing vocals
 |
| Creatures Of The Night (1982) |
Cool cover. Probably the best Kiss cover. The band had been having problems. Internal tension had caused the original drummer and now the original lead guitarist to leave. Their previous album, The Elder, had not sold well, and had been poorly received. This is a return to rock, with a leaning on heavy metal and some Black Sabbath with a bit of late Deep Purple thrown in. It had a mixed reception at the time (though is now quite well regarded). And it did not get the band back into the sales they had achieved during their peak. The guitar work is still generic, though it is crisper and more professional than with Ace Frehely. And the drums are more professional and expansive. But the music is still stuck somewhat in the past. This stuff has been done before, and Kiss are doing nothing new or better.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Creatures of the Night" | Paul Stanley, Adam Mitchell | Stanley | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Saint and Sinner" | Gene Simmons, Mikel Japp | Simmons | 4:50 |
| 3. | "Keep Me Comin'" | Stanley, Mitchell | Stanley | 3:55 |
| 4. | "Rock and Roll Hell" | Simmons, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance | Simmons | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Danger" | Stanley, Mitchell | Stanley | 3:54 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "I Love It Loud" | Simmons, Vinnie Vincent | Simmons | 4:15 |
| 7. | "I Still Love You" | Stanley, Vincent | Stanley | 6:06 |
| 8. | "Killer" | Simmons, Vincent | Simmons | 3:19 |
| 9. | "War Machine" | Simmons, Adams, Vallance | Simmons | 4:14 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar on tracks 1, 3, 5 & 7, producer
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass (except tracks 1, 5 & 7), rhythm guitar on "War Machine", producer
- Eric Carr – drums, percussion, bass on "I Still Love You", backing vocals
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar (credited, but does not play)
- Additional musicians
- Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar on tracks 3, 5 & 9; all guitars on tracks 2, 6 & 8
- Robben Ford – lead guitar on "I Still Love You"; all guitars on "Rock and Roll Hell"
- Steve Farris – lead guitar on "Creatures of the Night
Wikipedia
The band unmasked for the first time, and slowed down the decline in sales. A firm rock album though with an Eighties feel. Quite clean and stadium orientated with more of an eye on commercial appeal than Creatures.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Exciter" | Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent | Stanley | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Not for the Innocent" | Gene Simmons, Vincent | Simmons | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Lick It Up" | Stanley, Vincent | Stanley | 3:56 |
| 4. | "Young and Wasted" | Simmons, Vincent | Simmons | 4:05 |
| 5. | "Gimme More" | Stanley, Vincent | Stanley | 3:43 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "All Hell's Breakin' Loose" | Eric Carr, Stanley, Simmons, Vincent | Stanley | 4:34 |
| 7. | "A Million to One" | Stanley, Vincent | Stanley | 4:17 |
| 8. | "Fits Like a Glove" | Simmons | Simmons | 4:04 |
| 9. | "Dance All Over Your Face" | Simmons | Simmons | 4:16 |
| 10. | "And on the 8th Day" | Simmons, Vincent | Simmons | 4:02 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals
AllMusic: 7
Score: 3.5
Score: 3.5
 |
| Crazy Nights (1987) |
The bulk of the band's unmasked Eighties albums are widely regarded as poor. This is an example. I like the title song, which was a hit single in the UK. It's acceptable Eighties pop-rock. The rest of the album is also quite acceptable, and on the whole not a lot different to other Kiss material. Clean, well produced, commercial pop-rock. Lead guitar by Kulick (who joined in 1984 for two tracks on Animalize) is sharp. Not sure why it's disliked so much.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Crazy Crazy Nights" | Paul Stanley, Adam Mitchell | Stanley | 3:47 |
| 2. | "I'll Fight Hell to Hold You" | Stanley, Mitchell, Bruce Kulick | Stanley | 4:10 |
| 3. | "Bang Bang You" | Stanley, Desmond Child | Stanley | 3:53 |
| 4. | "No, No, No" | Gene Simmons, Kulick, Eric Carr | Simmons | 4:19 |
| 5. | "Hell or High Water" | Simmons, Kulick | Simmons | 3:28 |
| 6. | "My Way" | Stanley, Child, Bruce Turgon | Stanley | 3:58 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "When Your Walls Come Down" | Stanley, Mitchell, Kulick | Stanley | 3:25 |
| 8. | "Reason to Live" | Stanley, Child | Stanley | 4:00 |
| 9. | "Good Girl Gone Bad" | Simmons, Davitt Sigerson, Peter Diggins | Simmons | 4:35 |
| 10. | "Turn On the Night" | Stanley, Diane Warren | Stanley | 3:18 |
| 11. | "Thief in the Night" | Simmons, Mitch Weissman | Simmons | 4:07 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
- Gene Simmons – bass, vocals
- Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, backing vocals
AllMusic: 3
Score: 4
Score: 4
 |
| Smashes, Thrashes, and Hits (1988) |
Useful compilation mostly of the band's later material, which also includes two new songs so the fans would buy it as well as their parents.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Let's Put the X in Sex" | Stanley, Child | previously unreleased | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Crazy Crazy Nights" | Stanley, Adam Mitchell | Crazy Nights | 3:45 |
| 3. | "(You Make Me) Rock Hard" | Stanley, Child, Warren | previously unreleased | 3:26 |
| 4. | "Love Gun" (remix) | Stanley | Love Gun | 3:31 |
| 5. | "Detroit Rock City" (remix) | Stanley, Ezrin | Destroyer | 3:45 |
| 6. | "I Love It Loud" (remix) | Simmons, Vincent | Creatures of the Night | 3:48 |
| 7. | "Reason to Live" | Stanley, Child | Crazy Nights | 3:59 |
| 8. | "Lick It Up" | Vincent, Stanley | Lick It Up | 3:53 |
| 9. | "Heaven's on Fire" | Stanley, Child | Animalize | 3:19 |
| 10. | "Calling Dr. Love" (remix) | Simmons | Rock and Roll Over | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Strutter" (remix) | Stanley, Simmons | KISS | 3:18 |
| 12. | "Beth" (Eric Carr vocal) | Criss, Penridge, Ezrin | Destroyer | 2:46 |
| 13. | "Tears Are Falling" | Stanley | Asylum | 3:54 |
| 14. | "I Was Made for Lovin' You" | Stanley, Child, Poncia | Dynasty | 4:29 |
| 15. | "Rock and Roll All Night" (remix) | Stanley, Simmons | Dressed To Kill | 2:56 |
| 16. | "Shout It Out Loud" (remix) | Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin | Destroyer | 3:07 |
AllMusic: 8
Score: 4.5
Score: 4.5
 |
| Hot In The Shade (1989) |
I include this because Rolling Stone have it listed in their Top Ten Kiss albums. Despite the single "Forever", being the band's biggest US hit, the album didn't sell well. It is fairly boring.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rise to It" | Paul Stanley, Bob Halligan Jr. | Stanley | 4:08 |
| 2. | "Betrayed" | Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer | Simmons | 3:38 |
| 3. | "Hide Your Heart" | Stanley, Desmond Child, Holly Knight | Stanley | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Prisoner of Love" | Simmons, Bruce Kulick | Simmons | 3:52 |
| 5. | "Read My Body" | Stanley, Halligan | Stanley | 3:50 |
| 6. | "Love's a Slap in the Face" | Simmons, Vini Poncia | Simmons | 4:04 |
| 7. | "Forever" | Stanley, Michael Bolton | Stanley | 3:52 |
| 8. | "Silver Spoon" | Stanley, Poncia | Stanley | 4:38 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Cadillac Dreams" | Simmons, Poncia | Simmons | 3:44 |
| 10. | "King of Hearts" | Stanley, Poncia | Stanley | 4:26 |
| 11. | "The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away" | Simmons, Thayer | Simmons | 3:34 |
| 12. | "You Love Me to Hate You" | Stanley, Child | Stanley | 4:00 |
| 13. | "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell" | Simmons, Poncia | Simmons | 3:52 |
| 14. | "Little Caesar" | Eric Carr, Simmons, Adam Mitchell | Carr | 3:12 |
| 15. | "Boomerang" | Simmons, Kulick | Simmons | 3:30 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Eric Carr – drums, vocals
- Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, backing vocals
 |
| Monster (2012) |
I've skipped straight to the band's final album, via a few dips in the MTV Unplugged and other albums. This is full of energy, and comes across as more professionally played and produced than most of the Kiss output. It feels somewhat dated in 2012, but then the nature of Kiss is that their sound has always been dated. I think that's what people like about them. Yes, this is pure Kiss. Indeed, I might have liked their early albums a little more if they played like this. This is honest to goodness straight no pretentions rock music played with surprising energy by seasoned professionals. One of their best albums, but the only ones listening would be the band's ageing and declining fan base.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead Vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hell or Hallelujah" | Paul Stanley | Stanley | 4:07 |
| 2. | "Wall of Sound" | Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer | Simmons | 2:55 |
| 3. | "Freak" | Stanley, Thayer | Stanley | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Back to the Stone Age" | Simmons, Thayer, Stanley, Eric Singer | Simmons | 3:01 |
| 5. | "Shout Mercy" | Stanley, Thayer | Stanley | 4:04 |
| 6. | "Long Way Down" | Stanley, Thayer | Stanley | 3:51 |
| 7. | "Eat Your Heart Out" | Simmons | Simmons | 4:06 |
| 8. | "The Devil Is Me" | Simmons, Stanley, Thayer | Simmons | 3:40 |
| 9. | "Outta This World" | Thayer | Thayer | 4:29 |
| 10. | "All for the Love of Rock & Roll" | Stanley | Singer | 3:21 |
| 11. | "Take Me Down Below" | Simmons, Stanley, Thayer | Simmons, Stanley | 3:24 |
| 12. | "Last Chance" | Stanley, Simmons, Thayer | Stanley | 3:05 |
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, vocals
- Eric Singer – drums, vocals
Main (studio) album Discography
- Kiss (1974)
- Hotter than Hell (1974)
- Dressed to Kill (1975)
- Destroyer (1976)
- Rock and Roll Over (1976)
- Love Gun (1977)
- Ace Frehley (1978)
- Gene Simmons (1978)
- Paul Stanley (1978)
- Peter Criss (1978)
- Dynasty (1979)
- Unmasked (1980)
- Music from "The Elder" (1981)
- Creatures of the Night (1982)
- Lick It Up (1983)
- Animalize (1984)
- Asylum (1985)
- Crazy Nights (1987)
- Hot in the Shade (1989)
- Revenge (1992)
- Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
- Psycho Circus (1998)
- Sonic Boom (2009)
- Monster (2012)
Music and Promo Videos (random selection)
* Lick It Up (1983 - dir: Martin Kahan)
* Tears Are Falling (1985 - dir: David Mallet)
* (You Make Me) Rock Hard (1989 - dir: Rebecca Blake)
* I Just Wanna (1992 - dir: Paul Rachman)
* Modern Day Delilah (2009 - dir: Wayne Isham)
* KissAsylum - fan website which seems to be more about merchandise than fan forums and info, but does have links to individual band members websites.
Best Albums Lists
Ultimate Classic Rock
1. Destroyer (1976)
2. Creatures Of The Night (1982)
3. Kiss (1974)
4. Hotter Than Hell (1974)
5. Ace Frehley (1978)
6. Love Gun (1977)
7. Rock And Roll Over (1976)
8. Dressed To Kill (1975)
9. Revenge (1992)
0. Lick It Up (1983)
4. Love Gun (1977)
5. Hotter Than Hell (1974)
6. Dressed To Kill (1975)
7. Creatures Of The Night (1982)
8. Rock And Roll Over (1976)
9. Alive II (1977)
0. Hot In The Shade (1989)
Louder
1. Destroyer (1976)
2. Alive! (1975)
3. Alive II (1976)
4. Kiss (1974)
5. Creatures Of The Night (1982)
6. Ace Frehley (1978)
5. Hotter Than Hell (1974)
6. Dressed To Kill (1975)
7. Creatures Of The Night (1982)
8. Rock And Roll Over (1976)
9. Alive II (1977)
0. Hot In The Shade (1989)
Louder
1. Destroyer (1976)
2. Alive! (1975)
3. Alive II (1976)
4. Kiss (1974)
5. Creatures Of The Night (1982)
6. Ace Frehley (1978)
7. Dressed To Kill (1975)
8. Rock And Roll Over (1976)
9. Love Gun (1977)
9. Love Gun (1977)
0. Hotter Than Hell (1974)
Summary
[Note: Aspects which go toward final score are given a rough percentage figure of how much that aspect may have influenced the overall score. However, some bands may well exceed that percentage, particularly if their main focus is in that area.]
Voice/Musicianship (15%)Acceptable musicianship - quite average and unremarkable. Became more professional over the years, especially when new members replaced the original drummer and lead guitarist. I'd welcome some character in either the voices or the guitars. [6]
Image/Star quality (5%)They have a naff image. [0]
Lyrics/Music (20%)Very derivative and unexciting. Nothing here. But acceptable. [8]
Impact/Influence (10%)A number of bands liked and copied the presentation and noted the merchandising. But other than that, this is a derivative run of the mill band. [1]
Popularity (5%)Hugely popular during their peak, and retained respectable sales. [3]
Emotional appeal (5%)Nope. Perhaps a bit of excitement and fun. [1]
Authenticity (15%)Nope. They are clearly just about the money. But they remained true to themselves, so credit for that. [2]
Art (5%)I kinda like the costumes. [1]
Classic albums/songs (5%)Nope. Fans like Destroyer (or Alive!, or the first album), but away from the fans the albums are quite ordinary. [0]
Originality/Innovation (5%)While taking ideas from Slade, Sweet, NYD, and Alex Harvey, the band made their image their own as no-one had done it as completely before. [2]
Legacy (10%)The music is nothing, but the image and the merchandising made an impression that has lasted. [2]
Total: 10026
Conclusion:
The band are an acceptable and largely unambitious everyday rock band, influenced by Rolling Stone, New York Dolls, Slade, Sweet, and Alex Harvey. The gained attention through their stage performances and theatrical style, particularly their comic make up, and ate notable for their successful marketing of Kiss merchandise. The albums are listenable, but unremarkable - other than for being fairly consistent over several decades, and maintaining sales (albeit much lower once past their peak)
The band are an acceptable and largely unambitious everyday rock band, influenced by Rolling Stone, New York Dolls, Slade, Sweet, and Alex Harvey. The gained attention through their stage performances and theatrical style, particularly their comic make up, and ate notable for their successful marketing of Kiss merchandise. The albums are listenable, but unremarkable - other than for being fairly consistent over several decades, and maintaining sales (albeit much lower once past their peak)
***
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