People will argue that this is the bands best album. When I was a kid I felt it was but theres too many albums to pick from in their catalogue..most of the songs are Kiss classics! Awesome review!
thank you so much for posting all of these videos in a play list i have watched all of them, and learned a lot of stuff i didnt know about the band and i really enjoyed learning about the making of each album.
This and Black Diamond together are the best way to end the album. Thinking about it now, I kind of like the way it bookends, starting with a song abot a chick who struts her stuff, never thinking about anyone else, and the character in "Black Diamond" goes about life in the same way.
I always blamed the slower tempo and lack of energy on their inexperience. i assumed they didn't want to make wrong notes, so they played slower and concentrated on getting it right. Rather than putting the pedal to the medal, making errors and having the engineers tell them "you need to redo again." Which would rack up the studio bill.
I've been a fan since 1975 and over the years the KISS album I called my favorite has shifted back and forth....I now consider the first album to be the best album simply because of the songs. Duece, Strutter, Cold Gin, Nothin To Lose, Firehouse, 100,000 years, Black Diamond......really pretty hard to argue with that. It took them a few albums to find their bombast on record but to me it hardly matters. The SONGS are there. Period.
I love your reviews... the “Love Theme from Kiss” is hands down the worst... I’ve always loved “100,000 Years” - an incredible bass line but on the album it has no balls. I saved up my money to buy Alive! and ended up getting the “Originals” instead which came out in mid summer 1976.
Excellent. I love Behind-the-Songs info. The history of it all. The band interviews and the people involved in making records with KISS; you cover it all. I like the debut of KISS but you're right; it is lacking something. I like the tone of the guitars and the solos. The band sounds kind of stiff on this one compared to the Demos. The production could have been better. Two of the songs were weak. If they had chose to use "Watchin' You" and "She" instead of "Kissin' Time" and "Love Theme", it would have been a much better record. I understand Neil Bogart's view on promoting his bands had a lot to do with that decision. With "100,000 Years", "Black Diamond", "Deuce", and "Strutter" on this one, its a pretty damn good record. Rock on!
Good review but it's really too bad you didn't spend a little more time discussing 100, 000 years and THE AWESOME, INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE solo that goes with it. Nevertheless, I really appreciate your vast knowledge and reviews!
Love Theme’s musicianship from the guys is really solid. I think it’s a great song. Besides, how many purely instrumental songs are in Kiss’ catalogue?
That song is a cover of Bobby Rydell's original version. After hearing the original, I have a new appreciation of KISS's version. Give it a listen. ua-cam.com/video/mQ89Cf3q8Do/v-deo.html
Mann you need to hear 100,000 years on Kiss double platinum album,Ace's lead guitar playing on that song is Awesome, how could you skip that,are you Def!!
Kerner and Wise were part of one of the first heavy metal bands called Dust and their album which they self produced was hard hitting and very melodic. I used to buy the explanation the producers were at fault but I think this was how early KISS sounded in the studio. They were not recording in make-up nor getting into their live act's energy.
What do you think of the remixes and re-edits of Deuce, Black Diamond, 100,000 Years, Firehouse and Cold Gin on Double Platinum? (I'm not counting the Strutter remake). That's where I first heard those songs.
I hate that Black Diamond repeats the intro at the end; that drives me insane. I don't remember the other tracks that well; I'd have to listen again. The remix I really enjoy on DP is Calling Dr. Love.
@@SeanBlumenshine I'm not wild about the gradual slowing down of Black Diamond on the original LP, goes on too long. I like Calling Dr. Love on Double Platinum as well, but to me the LP version is the best as it has that great Peter Criss drum spotlight in the middle, and the 45 RPM version has an interesting clanging sound at the beginning. (Don't get me started on the Detroit Rock City 45 RPM.) Deuce on Double Platinum is most notable for the much louder 'do it!' from Paul. The Hotter Than Hell tracks sound somewhat clearer than on the original LP. Firehouse ends like Black Diamond, a repeated riff IIRC. Regarding Calling Dr. Love on Double Platinum, the 8-track has Rock Bottom leading into that song while the LP has it leading into She. I like the 8-track segue better.
"Like the Beatles"? Listening to Paul Stanley's audio book "Face the Music" it becomes clear how much the Beatles, the Move, David Bowie and Alice Cooper influenced him and the other members. KISS are the 70s version of Sgt. Pepper: alternative personas with the showmanship of Alice Cooper and make up of Bowie. Add their love of Science Fiction, comics and giving the audience something that will stay with them long after the show has ended? That's KISS perfectly described. Unfortunately, they also inherited the two writers in charge sidelining their talented other half. Ace is basically the Harrison of KISS in that his contribution could've been more but Paul Stanley like Macca is a control freak who wants only to give him the spot light as long as he can micro manage. The fact Ace and Peter were presented as being full members on the "Psycho Circus" album when it was a complete lie speaks volumes about how controlling Stanley is.
He makes Zeppelin reference at least 5 or 6 times. I think they were his biggest influence. He talks about Houses Of the Holy and spinning it a lot back in 73/74.
@@OutOnTheTiles Not surprising because they were post WW2 children. Even by the 70s WW2 was still a major scar that hadn't healed. Especially, for Jewish. I bet KISS must've scared the crap out of the Establishment. Now they are the Establishment.
I first heard these songs on KISS Alive. So by the time I heard them on the debut, I was less impressed. Still, this album is my second favorite studio album after Rock And Roll Over.
I agree about the production of 'KISS' that it would have been much better with Eddie Kramer. 'Kissing Time' & 'Love Theme From KISS' are poor choices but that's (along wth the producers & choice of songs) may very well have been out of their reach at the time. Good album but nowhere near their best in my opinion.
As you said, it's still a great album from a song perspective. Easily 7 of these 10 songs are great songs. And in all fairness, the other 2 pre- *ALIVE* albums were also poorly produced and sounded flat.
i couldnt believe how the intro to Firehouse was. I remembered it was weak, but not that weak. I dont even own this album, because its so bad compared to Alice's versions
Still my favorite album by them. These guys never take responsibility for their own mistakes.
People will argue that this is the bands best album. When I was a kid I felt it was but theres too many albums to pick from in their catalogue..most of the songs are Kiss classics! Awesome review!
I really love the ending of Black diamond, It sounds like some sort of accidental proto Doom metal
just found your page yesterday and i am really enjoying the kiss album reviews!!
Thank you!
Their debut album still kick ass cold gin, deuce, black diamond and the rest of it are very cool. 😀👍🤘🎸
thank you so much for posting all of these videos in a play list i have watched all of them, and learned a lot of stuff i didnt know about the band and i really enjoyed learning about the making of each album.
Love theme from Kiss is fantastic. It really shows the melodic side of the band aside from rock n rollish vibe.
my fav song is probably 100,000 years
This and Black Diamond together are the best way to end the album. Thinking about it now, I kind of like the way it bookends, starting with a song abot a chick who struts her stuff, never thinking about anyone else, and the character in "Black Diamond" goes about life in the same way.
I always blamed the slower tempo and lack of energy on their inexperience. i assumed they didn't want to make wrong notes, so they played slower and concentrated on getting it right. Rather than putting the pedal to the medal, making errors and having the engineers tell them "you need to redo again." Which would rack up the studio bill.
The slowness is what many people like, and has influenced sludge metal bands like the Melvins.
100,000 Years deserves WAY MORE than one sentence!
You Damn Right!!!I don't think he's listening to the albums,I think he's just skipping along just to give a fake review
@@kkdeveauxgue2784 I suspect the same. The over use of "pre-chorus" and "it's a fun track" seem like a tell tale.
“This is a song about love in outer space 🪐!!!” Paul Stanley
@@reubensane5539 hi Reuben I'm Garry Croft from Facebook 😎
@@1968spikey hey my man ,nice to see ya! Hope all is well,Rock on!🤟
I love this album, in fact their first three studio albums are my favorites.
Your absolutely right about the production it sound as if they were in a phone booth
Dude, im living these reviews of the album. The added history prior to the album release is a nice touch
I've been a fan since 1975 and over the years the KISS album I called my favorite has shifted back and forth....I now consider the first album to be the best album simply because of the songs. Duece, Strutter, Cold Gin, Nothin To Lose, Firehouse, 100,000 years, Black Diamond......really pretty hard to argue with that. It took them a few albums to find their bombast on record but to me it hardly matters. The SONGS are there. Period.
Firehouse was always my favorite live track. Black Diamond is a fantastic second.
I love your reviews... the “Love Theme from Kiss” is hands down the worst... I’ve always loved “100,000 Years” - an incredible bass line but on the album it has no balls. I saved up my money to buy Alive! and ended up getting the “Originals” instead which came out in mid summer 1976.
Excellent. I love Behind-the-Songs info. The history of it all. The band interviews and the people involved in making records with KISS; you cover it all. I like the debut of KISS but you're right; it is lacking something. I like the tone of the guitars and the solos. The band sounds kind of stiff on this one compared to the Demos. The production could have been better. Two of the songs were weak. If they had chose to use "Watchin' You" and "She" instead of "Kissin' Time" and "Love Theme", it would have been a much better record. I understand Neil Bogart's view on promoting his bands had a lot to do with that decision. With "100,000 Years", "Black Diamond", "Deuce", and "Strutter" on this one, its a pretty damn good record. Rock on!
Good review but it's really too bad you didn't spend a little more time discussing 100, 000 years and THE AWESOME, INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE solo that goes with it. Nevertheless, I really appreciate your vast knowledge and reviews!
The first ( 8 - Track ) album I ever Bought . Packed (to this day) with Perennial Classics .
It will always mean something more to us teens who discovered it when the album came out. Then I got to see them three months later!
Love Theme’s musicianship from the guys is really solid. I think it’s a great song. Besides, how many purely instrumental songs are in Kiss’ catalogue?
People always shit on Kissin' Time....yet it's the heaviest sounding song on the album.
Probably the biggest wasted opportunity is Ace not singing his own song. He would have sang Cold Gin so well.
As a kid I thought the line “the cheapest stuff is all I need” was Ace
Kissin' time.........nothing to really say about that. Except Neil Bogart wasn't always a genius.
That song is a cover of Bobby Rydell's original version. After hearing the original, I have a new appreciation of KISS's version. Give it a listen. ua-cam.com/video/mQ89Cf3q8Do/v-deo.html
Great review! Keep it up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nice review. Track for track this has many of their strongest songs. 100,000 Years is particularly good.
Mann you need to hear 100,000 years on Kiss double platinum album,Ace's lead guitar playing on that song is Awesome, how could you skip that,are you Def!!
Love theme from KISS. Great instrumental. Love it!
Great review, dude.
The piano like guitar sound was very unique and was something I never heard before or any other guitar sound duplicate.
I feel this way to really capture Kiss,just record them in a loud live stage setting like Rock n Roll Over,now that's a bad ass album
Kerner and Wise were part of one of the first heavy metal bands called Dust and their album which they self produced was hard hitting and very melodic. I used to buy the explanation the producers were at fault but I think this was how early KISS sounded in the studio. They were not recording in make-up nor getting into their live act's energy.
Hell yeah! I wore a shirt of the album to see the Fareware Tour back in 2000. I still have the cassette.
Pretty spot-on review, laid the foundation for all the rest. Don't be so hard on Love Theme, it fit in that moment in time.
Maybe The Only Problem With The Album Is It Was So Ahead Of Its Time
What do you think of the remixes and re-edits of Deuce, Black Diamond, 100,000 Years, Firehouse and Cold Gin on Double Platinum? (I'm not counting the Strutter remake). That's where I first heard those songs.
I hate that Black Diamond repeats the intro at the end; that drives me insane. I don't remember the other tracks that well; I'd have to listen again. The remix I really enjoy on DP is Calling Dr. Love.
@@SeanBlumenshine I'm not wild about the gradual slowing down of Black Diamond on the original LP, goes on too long. I like Calling Dr. Love on Double Platinum as well, but to me the LP version is the best as it has that great Peter Criss drum spotlight in the middle, and the 45 RPM version has an interesting clanging sound at the beginning. (Don't get me started on the Detroit Rock City 45 RPM.) Deuce on Double Platinum is most notable for the much louder 'do it!' from Paul. The Hotter Than Hell tracks sound somewhat clearer than on the original LP. Firehouse ends like Black Diamond, a repeated riff IIRC. Regarding Calling Dr. Love on Double Platinum, the 8-track has Rock Bottom leading into that song while the LP has it leading into She. I like the 8-track segue better.
Also, the Japanese single version of Strutter '78 kills the no-air Double Platinum version IMO. ua-cam.com/video/AAkdCQ1dRCE/v-deo.html
@@SeanBlumenshine I wish the ending of Black Diamond would of just ended with Paul singing " got you under my thumb" and then end it
The Donnas were awesome!
"Like the Beatles"? Listening to Paul Stanley's audio book "Face the Music" it becomes clear how much the Beatles, the Move, David Bowie and Alice Cooper influenced him and the other members.
KISS are the 70s version of Sgt. Pepper: alternative personas with the showmanship of Alice Cooper and make up of Bowie. Add their love of Science Fiction, comics and giving the audience something that will stay with them long after the show has ended?
That's KISS perfectly described.
Unfortunately, they also inherited the two writers in charge sidelining their talented other half.
Ace is basically the Harrison of KISS in that his contribution could've been more but Paul Stanley like Macca is a control freak who wants only to give him the spot light as long as he can micro manage.
The fact Ace and Peter were presented as being full members on the "Psycho Circus" album when it was a complete lie speaks volumes about how controlling Stanley is.
He makes Zeppelin reference at least 5 or 6 times. I think they were his biggest influence. He talks about Houses Of the Holy and spinning it a lot back in 73/74.
@@OutOnTheTiles Not surprising because they were post WW2 children.
Even by the 70s WW2 was still a major scar that hadn't healed. Especially, for Jewish.
I bet KISS must've scared the crap out of the Establishment. Now they are the Establishment.
I first heard these songs on KISS Alive. So by the time I heard them on the debut, I was less impressed. Still, this album is my second favorite studio album after Rock And Roll Over.
I agree about the production of 'KISS' that it would have been much better with Eddie Kramer. 'Kissing Time' & 'Love Theme From KISS' are poor choices but that's (along wth the producers & choice of songs) may very well have been out of their reach at the time. Good album but nowhere near their best in my opinion.
Finding out years later that they’re were using an ovation breadwinner and telecasters that also added to the less hard Rock sound.
5:47 It's interesting that the production on Kissin' Time sounds like the Hotter Than Hell album -- the guitar tones and the weird snare
Easily the best Kiss album.
Love Theme is pretty sick
But its original version, "Acrobat" is a lot better.
As you said, it's still a great album from a song perspective. Easily 7 of these 10 songs are great songs. And in all fairness, the other 2 pre- *ALIVE* albums were also poorly produced and sounded flat.
You have the talking voice of Paul. A little bit at least
I agree about the production...weak & shiny...it is my least favorite of the first 3 studio releases !
Some great songs but dreadful production. It really hurts it for me, so weak.
You dont know what your talking about
Explain
Yeah he does
In the end, it’s an opinion. It could be accepted or not. I, do not agree with all of this robot’s criticisms but eh.
i couldnt believe how the intro to Firehouse was. I remembered it was weak, but not that weak. I dont even own this album, because its so bad compared to Alice's versions