I give Kiss a pass for slipping into grunge-ification in the '90s. Everybody was. It was a terrible fit for them specifically though. Here was a band that was never really about any sort of introspection or regret, but always reveled in "more is more" decadence, gratification at all costs and, prominently, never letting the discovery of nonsense distract from the party. Suddenly they decided it was time to feel bad about stuff. Go figure.
There is nothing smart or knowing about the Psycho Circus album and, God bless him, Ace understood that. So when he provided "Into The Void" it was without attachments besides just a full-on guitar rocker. None of the self-satisfied pep rallies found in songs like "You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best" (I know it's their catchphrase, but if you're gonna name it, you should attempt to claim it) and the head-scratching, cheesy "Raise Your Glasses", just a somewhat nonsensical good time from Space Ace.
By the end of the Psycho Circus album, you either felt duped or pitched for the live show you weren't sure you wanted to see now. Neither make for a decent listening experience worth the price of a CD.
Matt
· 2 months ago
Wow, I was somehow unaware that Bryan Adams wrote a KISS tune - In my mind, I'd like the version of that story to be "I wrote War Machine for the You Want It You, You Got It album blah blah blah and gave it to KISS."
MichaelFortes
· 2 months ago
Here's where it gets weirder: "War Machine" was covered by the death metal band Six Feet Under (led by ex-Cannibal Corpse vocalist Chris Barnes) on their album "Maximum Violence." It's my favorite version of the song, and not just because it's hilarious to see Bryan Adams' name on the credits for a recording by the ex-vocalist from Cannibal Corpse.
MichaelFortes
· 2 months ago
...AND, ever notice how similar the "War Machine" riff is to Stone Temple Pilots' "Sex Type Thing"?
Matt
· 2 months ago
1) The DeLeo bros have contributed some killer riffage, so they can be forgiven for cribbing a few.
2) I must reveal my weakness for the Six Feet Under "Warpath" album, which led to mucho spinnage of "War is Coming" on my metal radio show. I forgot about their version of "War Machine" - That's hysterical to think that Bryan Adams might have gotten a check or two related to Chris Barnes.
luffy66
· 2 months ago
Bryan Adams also wrote "Down on Your Knees" for the KISS "Killers" Album. The album was a bunch of B sides and some hits, not mentioned in thes article.
tokyofive
· 2 months ago
KISS' debut album is one of their best. eight out of the ten songs on it are concert staples!
And I always thought Gene's "Demon" character was the coolest...and his songs were the best!
How can you not like the song "I Love It Loud"? That, and "War Machine", are the best songs on Creatures Of The Night"!
You didn't mention the upcoming album Sonic Boom (the first single, "Modern Day Delilah", can be heard online)...
Nice write up, John, and a nice selection of deeper cuts to enjoy. I was never a member of the KISS Army (at the time, I was enlisted in the, uh, Hall & Oates Coast Guard) but I appreciated their marketing, if nothing else. Basically you have four hairy New Yorkers in a real-life cartoon, scaring parents. How could it not sell millions?
tokyofive
· 2 months ago
>Damn. It isn't a Van Stephenson cover.
I had to Google "Van Stephenson" to understand that you were referring to the song "Modern Day Delilah". ;)
jack
· 2 months ago
"Hall & Oates Coast Guard" is just screaming to be the title of their smash comeback release! Someone with Photoshop make an album cover!
I picked up a used copy of the 2-disc GOLD, and that had more KISS than I ever wanted.
jack
· 2 months ago
Oops! That said, I always find "The Popdose Guide To..." feature fascinating, and always read them, regardless of the band! This was a good one!
DwDunphy
· 2 months ago
"Yacht rock! Oh I, Oh I, I better learn how to swim..."
mojo
· 2 months ago
Hall & Oates Coast Guard? BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
(it takes one to know one)(I was one, too)
jonnythefriendlylawyer
· 2 months ago
Interesting post. For someone my age (46) that remembers KISS when they were first making records, it's still surprising that they were ever taken seriously. KISS was kind of like the Power Rangers of rock, sort of a glam/heavy metal Monkees assembled for grade school kids. They were all about the image and that seemed like the plan. When they had a 'breakthrough' of sorts with their live album in '75, it was up against the likes of Blood on the Tracks, Wish You Were Here, Physical Graffiti, Born to Run, Sabotage, Who by Numbers etc. etc. There was so much legitimately great rock music at the time there was no need to look to the costumed KISS for what they were actually playing. As I recall, even though their overall rep is that of a hard rock group if you ever heard them on the radio back then it was likely to be 'Beth' -- a power ballad sung by the drummer. Anyway, thanks for an interesting summary -- I never got the appeal (and still don't) but it makes sense, I guess. It would have been worth it just to see the comment 'Hall & Oates Coast Guard'. Damn, I wish I wrote that!
EightE1
· 2 months ago
I've been looking forward to this since I first saw the title in the queue of Popdose drafts, and you did not disappoint, John. EXTREMELY well done. I don't agree with all your points, though. I love "I Love It Loud" (taught it and "War Machine" to my kid when he was, like, three years old). I think Alive III is awful. I thought the first Kissology collection was unwatchable (watch the concert footage on that disc and then listen to the first Alive, and you'll easily see how much studio stuff was done on the latter), but I return to the second one from time to time (usually on a Friday night after a few tequila shots and beer chasers).
I have a real soft spot for these guys (must've been my parochial school upbringing), and this was a terrific overview. Again, well done.
Rob EightE1
Michael
· 2 months ago
I'm amazed that the Bryan Adams' co-write was noted, yet Michael Bolton's name was not mentioned when "Forever" came up.
Top job on the guide!
mojo
· 2 months ago
And Petra for "God Gave Rock & Roll To You," for which I will never forgive KISS for covering.
mojo
· 2 months ago
Oh before I forget, nice piece bro. The devil's in the details, and this piece is possessed
John, That is a good overview of the band without making it sound sentimental! As a Kiss fan of your era I think it was the Music that caught and kept fans around. The makeup and theatrics were part of what made it exciting to be a Kiss fan but who out there that was a fan did not wear out at least one Kiss Alive album......... We played that thing until there were holes through the vinyl and I can put it on today and it still rocks. Sure there was the stories, rumours, makeup, drug usage, poor albums, bad shows.....etc but what band out there didnt experience that! The makeup and gimmicks were just an easy target for distracters who didnt want to part of the Kiss Army. There are people out there that don't like Led Zeppelin too but there is no "gimmick" to tear them up about. No I won't be in makeup at any of the shows, but listen to the music and tell me that is doesn't rock!
All Comments
There is nothing smart or knowing about the Psycho Circus album and, God bless him, Ace understood that. So when he provided "Into The Void" it was without attachments besides just a full-on guitar rocker. None of the self-satisfied pep rallies found in songs like "You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best" (I know it's their catchphrase, but if you're gonna name it, you should attempt to claim it) and the head-scratching, cheesy "Raise Your Glasses", just a somewhat nonsensical good time from Space Ace.
By the end of the Psycho Circus album, you either felt duped or pitched for the live show you weren't sure you wanted to see now. Neither make for a decent listening experience worth the price of a CD.
2) I must reveal my weakness for the Six Feet Under "Warpath" album, which led to mucho spinnage of "War is Coming" on my metal radio show. I forgot about their version of "War Machine" - That's hysterical to think that Bryan Adams might have gotten a check or two related to Chris Barnes.
And I always thought Gene's "Demon" character was the coolest...and his songs were the best!
How can you not like the song "I Love It Loud"? That, and "War Machine", are the best songs on Creatures Of The Night"!
You didn't mention the upcoming album Sonic Boom (the first single, "Modern Day Delilah", can be heard online)...
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/sonic-boom/
Nice write up, John, and a nice selection of deeper cuts to enjoy. I was never a member of the KISS Army (at the time, I was enlisted in the, uh, Hall & Oates Coast Guard) but I appreciated their marketing, if nothing else. Basically you have four hairy New Yorkers in a real-life cartoon, scaring parents. How could it not sell millions?
I had to Google "Van Stephenson" to understand that you were referring to the song "Modern Day Delilah". ;)
I picked up a used copy of the 2-disc GOLD, and that had more KISS than I ever wanted.
(it takes one to know one)(I was one, too)
I have a real soft spot for these guys (must've been my parochial school upbringing), and this was a terrific overview. Again, well done.
Rob
EightE1
Top job on the guide!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsG5V-o6uxY
That is a good overview of the band without making it sound sentimental! As a Kiss fan of your era I think it was the Music that caught and kept fans around. The makeup and theatrics were part of what made it exciting to be a Kiss fan but who out there that was a fan did not wear out at least one Kiss Alive album......... We played that thing until there were holes through the vinyl and I can put it on today and it still rocks. Sure there was the stories, rumours, makeup, drug usage, poor albums, bad shows.....etc but what band out there didnt experience that! The makeup and gimmicks were just an easy target for distracters who didnt want to part of the Kiss Army. There are people out there that don't like Led Zeppelin too but there is no "gimmick" to tear them up about. No I won't be in makeup at any of the shows, but listen to the music and tell me that is doesn't rock!