Of all the “important” rock-n-roll bands in the world, KISS has existed outside my field of view (hearing?) far more than any other. Sure, I’ve heard a lot of the singles over and over but have I ever listened to an actual album? No. Did I ever experience them live? I thought no but then a day into this project, I remembered that I had seen them in the late 90s. They were supporting Aerosmith and both bands were so terrible live that I purged it from my memory. Maybe I caught Gene, Paul and two guys they rented on a bad evening.
The KISS Army still exists and the band’s impact on rock-n-roll is undeniable. If nothing else, they are masters of brand marketing on par with Jimmy Buffett. So, in the name of rock history, I feel I owe it to KISS to give the albums a fair listen.
Kiss (1974)
OK, my apprehension about this project has gone down quickly with the undeniably catchy “Strutter” and the Alice Cooper facsimile of “Deuce”. Far less heavy than I expected, this album has plenty of serviceable riffs. If anything, it’s a bit like the New York Dolls where the attitude adds just enough to make it fun. I can understand why KISS would become a cultural phenomenon if this is the blueprint. The Rolling Stones at their most inebriated couldn’t record songs this elementary but that is also some of the allure. As a devout Poison fan, I can get behind this. Come to think of it, does KISS stand for keep-it-simple-stupid? Bonus points for any band that puts a totally pointless theme song on their album and makes it an instrumental.
Hotter Than Hell (1974)
From what little research I’ve done, the debut didn’t move enough units so the band rushed back into the studio to record a new album. If this is true, I want to know why they basically recorded the exact same album. Lacking anything close to “Strutter”, the album opens with a lack of urgency as “Got To Choose” plods along. The riff to “Parasite”, however, is pretty tasty but then the band drops a song about dating sixteen year-olds when they are in their 90s. Maybe this was meant to be funny but nothing I’ve ever seen or heard from Gene Simmons makes me think they are joking. “Hotter Than Hell” is a decent Foreigner song played at half the speed and “Mainline” might be the best KISS song so far on this journey. A let down after the debut as it sounds rushed and thin.
Dressed To Kill (1975)
Opener “Room Service” further cements the KISS formula that has been forming over the first two albums. They also establish the unnecessary acoustic intro gambit that 80s hair metal bands would eventually beat to death with “Rock Bottom”. Production-wise, this is the most professional sounding of the first three albums. However, this exposes how thin the drums continue to sound. The band just doesn’t have any swing in their step and the lyrics of “C’mon And Love Me” would better suit a Spinal Tap album. “Love Her All I Can” is the best of the bunch while the studio version of “Rock And Roll All Nite” is surprisingly tame compared to the live versions that came later.
Alive! (1975)
Something about live albums always makes me suspicious. This one, especially, sounds a little “enhanced” after the show. The energy is great and the setlist includes all the best material off the first three albums. Nothing says arena rock like a completely pointless drum solo that serves as a bathroom break and “100,000 Years” provides just that. This is the definitive version of “Rock And Roll All Nite” and it makes me wish I could have seen the band when they were still a young and hungry band. Musically, there isn’t a single impressive performance but taken as a whole, it displays the fantasy that rock-n-roll can provide to partially stoned (or incredibly drunk) teenage boys.
This seems like a career milestone for the band and a good place to end the first leg of this KISS journey.