When you think of KISS, what album comes to mind?

also, what would you say would be their breakthrough or quintessential 1970's album that everyone who was anyone listened to in the 70's?

My guess would be Destroyer but then I'm not the biggest KISS fan. I'm a new recruit so to speak.

Thanks

Destroyer was a totally pandering commercial sell-out. Kiss, Hotter Than Hell & Dressed To Kill were much better albums.

Most everything after Destroyer was trash (ever heard "I Was Made For Loving You"? Kiss goes disco???? No thanks...).

Oh, except for Domino. Still a great rock song...

I always liked the first KISS Alive album the best. My second favorite album was KISS Unplugged.

I hated Love Gun.

I always liked the first KISS Alive album the best. My second favorite album was KISS Unplugged.I'll second that vote. Alive is a must for KISS fans and, although a lot of fans weren't impressed, I rather like Unplugged.

As far as the original lineup, I think Destroyer was the last solid studio album. The group was rather hit-and-miss after that, particularly during the period where they seemed to change band members with each new album, until Revenge with Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (who is IMO the best drummer working today).

After Destroyer, Kiss seems to have had little desire to make good music. I still enjoy their first few albums and an occasional song here and there from the last 20 years.

yeah it has to be the first "alive" album, done before they got so much $ that they started licensing themselves to everybody up to and including hanna-barbera.

First album !:thumbsup:
hb

Alive was the breakthrough favorite. Notice that it's called Alive, not Live. I'm pretty sure it's fake live, at least partly.
The first three were good solid music. The later ones were singles and filler. When they did disco, I ejected.

I agree, Alive I was an awesome album.

yeah it has to be the first "alive" album, done before they got so much $ that they started licensing themselves to everybody up to and including hanna-barbera.

I don't blame Gene Simmons for marketing Kiss like he does. Some of the finest musicians in the world are poor. I know a bunch of them myself. ;)

After Destroyer, Kiss seems to have had little desire to make good music. I still enjoy their first few albums and an occasional song here and there from the last 20 years.

I agree that the Destroyer Album was the last good original Kiss album.

Just my opinion though... :)

Now, when choosing album COVERS, I'll pick Love Gun.

Now, when choosing album COVERS, I'll pick Love Gun.

Without a doubt.

Alive is a must-have album. It was re-dubbed and remixed but gave the feeling of their live concerts. A lot of their albums arent the greatest but to see them live is an experience. Ive seen every concert from every tour they have done since 1975.
Steve

Kiss Alive II is the one I go with. That album is what started my 30 year love for them. Kiss Alive III is also a must IMO. Yes, it is mostly all the same as what has come before, but I think the sound quality and musicianship is Kiss at their best. Everytime I hear a Kiss song on the radio I always say they should of played the Alive III version. All the old Kiss stuff to me sounds just awful and very dated. A distorted tinny sound is how I describe it. Kiss Alive III came out a long time ago already and I have yet to hear any radio jock play anything off of it even though it sounds superior to everything else. Just my opinion.

Max Bryant

Kiss Alive II is the one I go with. That album is what started my 30 year love for them. Kiss Alive III is also a must IMO. Yes, it is mostly all the same as what has come before, but I think the sound quality and musicianship is Kiss at their best. Everytime I hear a Kiss song on the radio I always say they should of played the Alive III version. All the old Kiss stuff to me sounds just awful and very dated. A distorted tinny sound is how I describe it. Kiss Alive III came out a long time ago already and I have yet to hear any radio jock play anything off of it even though it sounds superior to everything else. Just my opinion.

Max Bryant

Max,

KISS is dated anyway, aren't they?

By the way, New Lennox is not far from Lockport, where I used to live a few short years ago. Did I meet you at a Resin Hedz show in the past?

Roland

Alive III is the best musically of the 3 Alive albums. KISS was probably the best Id ever seen them during their Revenge tour. Its a pity they didnt bring Bruce back when Ace left again.
Steve

I'll second that vote. Alive is a must for KISS fans and, although a lot of fans weren't impressed, I rather like Unplugged.

Eric Singer (who is IMO the best drummer working today).
I beg to differ, BUT Neal Peart from RUSH is the BEST living drummer period!

Max,

KISS is dated anyway, aren't they?

By the way, New Lennox is not far from Lockport, where I used to live a few short years ago. Did I meet you at a Resin Hedz show in the past?

Roland



Possibly I went to several before they went Kaput.

Max

I know I'm gonna ruffle a lot of feathers here but the only thing worth listening to by Rush is Tom Sawyer. I can't stand their vocalist. He's too...Denis DeYoung-ish, y'know?

and that's the end of that thread.

The first KISS album I ever bought was ALIVE. It was not just a live album but also a compilation of their best songs from their first three albums.

Yes, the album was re-mixed, some parts re-recorded, and sweetened in the studio. Judas Priest did the same thing with Unleashed in the East. They re-recorded a lot of it in Ringo Starr's living room!

I beg to differ, BUT Neal Peart from RUSH is the BEST living drummer period!



There are plenty of good drummers in the world. Peart is a famous rock drummer. But, he will never be taken as seriously as a drummer like Buddy Rich, Gene Kruppa, Philly Joe Jones, Louie Belson, Max Roach, Jack Dejohnette, or Art Blakey.

Have you ever heard the fusion Drummer Lenny White, formerly of "Return to Forever" play?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1tcmWt_x7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeN2u9wzw1s&feature=related

By the way, for the fans of the KISS Destroyer and Love Gun Artwork, Ken Kelly will be a guest at Wonderfest this year...

Ken Kelly, fantasy artist extraordinaire, will be making his first-ever WonderFest appearance this coming May! Ken’s amazing paintings have graced countless paperback covers over the years including the Tarzan and Conan series, and he’s also illustrated for major toy companies such as Mego for their Micronauts toys line. Ken’s artistic versatility knows no boundaries as evidenced by his two award winning album cover paintings commissioned by the legendary rock band KISS for their classic Destroyer and Love Gun albums. His early work may be more familiar to fans of classic monster and horror illustration due to his long association with Warren Publishing that began in 1968. Ken has painted over 150 magazine covers for Vampirella, Eerie, Creepy, and of course, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and he’s currently at work on a book showcasing his horror paintings. WonderFest is extremely pleased to welcome Ken to the show!

Those are 2 classic album covers- anyone who hears Destroyer or Love Gun can visualize the paintings. Plus anyone who has seen eric play live can agree he is in the top "10" for sure whether with KISS, Alice Cooper or ESP. I even saw him play with Montrose in St. Louis a couple years ago.

By the way, for the fans of the KISS Destroyer and Love Gun Artwork, Ken Kelly will be a guest at Wonderfest this year...



I met Ken Kelly at FX last year - nice guy. We talked about his KISS artwork (among other things), I bought a miniature print of the Destoryer cover and he signed a book for me. Definitely stop by to say hi to him if you are there!

Its a pity they didnt bring Bruce back when Ace left again.I agree. Tommy Thayer is competent at best, not even as good as Ace (who is held in high regard, but even Gene and Paul admitted after the reunion tour that Ace's guitar skills had not progressed or improved one bit since their early days). We saw KISS once with Thayer, and he was about half a beat behind on every one of the lead solos; Bruck Kulick is a far superior guitarist.

I beg to differ, BUT Neal Peart from RUSH is the BEST living drummer period!Oh, well, there ya' go. I can't stand Rush.

Kiss is known mostly for their show- the make up and costumes and stage show. I enjoy watching KISS live (the original lineup). Their music is just mediocre to me. That's all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47yxLg2RyXM&feature=related

That's quite a performance by Neil Reart at the Rich Memorial.....

I always thought he and Stewart Copeland were two of the best rock drummers of the past 30 years. Their feels for the many nuances of the songs they played on were usually very impressive.

When it comes to KISS....I was always impressed with their shows and many of their songs. However, their musicianship was never something that stood out to me.

I think it's a close tie between Kiss Alive and Destroyer. Most of my friends had one or the other or both.

Don't they say their group is not about musicianship, but about the whole experience? And, they also say they waged a total commercial tie-in to themselves unashamedly.

Don't they say their group is not about musicianship, but about the whole experience? And, they also say they waged a total commercial tie-in to themselves unashamedly.

Some people say that their band is not about musicianship. But, they have mastered their instruments. So, they are about musicianship.

Yes, they have marketed themselves, but young kids like me loved it 35 years ago. There are plenty of other bands that have tried to market themselves like Kiss that were not nearly as successful at it. I admit that they did go overboard, a little.

The band members of Kiss were smarter than the average band and they did put together an incredible entertainment package that has not been recreated.