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Music, Reviews

“Playlist Plus” by KISS

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Artist: KISS
Title: “Playlist Plus”
Label: Universal Music
Release Date: 4/29/2008
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 3.5/5

KISS “Playlist Plus” is the title of newest compilation that presents us with the hits from the legendary Hard Rockers from New York and given the amount of these types of albums being released in the not too distant past the buyer might wonder if they even need this one to complete their KISS collections. When I heard about the three CD set I have to admit that the long time KISS fan in me was a little bit excited because while I was sure it would include a number of the same songs that all of us have in one fashion or the other I was convinced that this could potentially be just a little different in its offering in terms of music and photography. Sadly, I must inform the world that I was wrong because the three CD’s are essentially a re-packaged and re-titled edition for the three individual KISS “Millennium Collection” releases that were delivered to fans over the course of the years 2003-2006. Every song that is on those three re-masters is here for your enjoyment, but now in one convenient place. Having copies of these previous albums myself, I had hoped that the notch would go up just a little bit in the way of the booklet in terms of their taking all of the photos and liner notes from the “Millennium” CD’s and putting it all together in one big enclosure but they would disappoint me here and not deliver any booklet or notes at all. There is a neat little slipcase that the foldout digipak slides into and on each of its sections we find a nice photograph of the boys but there are only four of them inside and counting the cover leaves the buyer with a mere five band images. They lost me by not keeping the booklets and notes because they were well delivered and managed to feature most of the band members across their rich and colorful history.
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Reviews, Videos

“KISSology Vol. 3: (1992-2000)” [DVD] by KISS

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Artist: KISS
Title: “KISSology 3”
Label: VH1 Classic
Release Date: 12/18/2007
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 5/5

Given that the second volume of these incredible boxed sets was only released in August of 2007 the KISS fans around the world are probably stuck in a mix of surprise and shock at the aspect of the third volume coming out so quickly. Of course like most ardent fan bases, the KISS ones are never hesitant to enjoy new releases that feature footage they might have seen before or only heard about in legend as even existing. Arriving just in time for your holiday purchasing needs comes “KISSology Volume 3” which picks up where the last volume ended and presents us with content from the band’s history during the years 1992-2000. For those who are not too up on their band history these years find the “Revenge” album with an as yet still unmasked lineup as they visit “Alive III” and get their “Unplugged” a happening all the way to the makeup sporting original membership as they began their Reunion tour, the “Psycho Circus” and Farewell tour along with some cool stops in between. This is truly something that the fans cannot get enough of and who can blame them with a band that is as big on spectacle as the guys in KISS are. Volume 3 finds four separate DVD’s making up the main set so let’s talk a little bit about what they feature. Strap yourself in KISS fans the ride continues along now.

Contents: DVD1: The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Detroit Michigan (11/27/1992), MTV Unplugged (Behind The Scenes), MTV Unplugged –Sony Studios, NY, NY (8/9/95); DVD2: Tiger Stadium, Detroit MI (6/26/1996), MTV VMA Performance, Brooklyn Bridge (9/4/1996), Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (10/31/98) – part one; DVD3: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles CA (10/31/98) – part two, “Detroit Rock City” movie premiere party Los Angeles CA (8/9/1999), “The Last KISS” Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford NJ (6/27/2000); DVD4: Coventry, Queens NY (12/22/1973).
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Music, Reviews

“Alive! 1975-2000” by KISS

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Artist: KISS
Title: “Alive! 1975-2000”
Label: Universal Music
Release Date: 11/21/2006
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 5/5

It goes without saying that KISS is one of the most visually exciting bands to have ever been formed and experienced over the past century. The levels of spectacle and entertainment at their concerts have given millions of fans worldwide experiences that are forever remembered and recounted. This CD boxed set celebrates the performances of KISS by featuring all three of the Alive releases and also giving the listener something special that was never expected. We have broken each release up to briefly line out the special nature of each of them.

CD1: “Alive”: Deuce, Strutter, Got To Choose, Hotter Than Hell, Firehouse, Nohin’ To Lose, C’mon And Love Me, Parasite, She, Watchin’ You, 100,000 Years, Black Diamond, Rock Bottom, Cold Gin, Rock And Roll All Nite, Let Me Go, Rock N Roll.
**** It was not until the band took the risk of releasing a double live album that their true powers over the listener were realized. While they had an ever growing fan base, their albums were simply not selling all that well and many had advised them that such a release would be career suicide. Live albums were becoming more common, but a double one from a band that no one was buying the records of did not seem the most sound of business decisions. Instead of musical death KISS would find a resounding level of success with this release as it brought the fan front stage to one of their shows and came with crowd dialogue and explosions as well. The band’s “anthem” introduced on “Dressed To Kill” would officially claim that status as a result of “Alive” and it’s impact. Years after it’s release this is still considered one of the “must have” albums in any music fans collection. Listening to a remastered version of it in this set one can easily see why.
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Music, Reviews

“The Very Best Of KISS” by KISS

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Artist: KISS
Title: “The Very Best Of KISS”
Label: Mercury/Universal
Release Date: 8/27/2002
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 8/10

Despite this being yet another greatest hits compilation from KISS, I felt this one was pretty good as a whole. Focusing its content on the band’s makeup years, the release of “The Very Best Of KISS” gives you a 21 song spectrum of some anthems and soon to be classics. Most of the standards are present and that is because KISS is known for including a lot of the same songs on these releases. It’s hard to envision a hits package from the foursome with no “Detroit Rock City” or “Shout It Out Loud” (both present by the way). Some interesting aspects were the inclusion of only one solo album track: the Ace Frehley mega hit “New York Groove”. It’s pretty much the most well known track from all four of the solo albums. Unlike many other hits releases, this one does not include any new recordings. While the albums span the band’s history from their debut “KISS” until “Revenge”; nothing from “Asylum”, “Animalize”, “Crazy Nights”, or “Hot In The Shade” is present on this. An album like this is not much for KISS fans unless they want a solid compilation for the car or Ipod device. It is, however, perfect as a gift for someone who is looking into the band and might have some overall interest in their music. There’s enough present on this CD to give you a healthy sample of the best years in the band’s history. The short and catchy tunes are bound to make a fan even of the most casual listener. So get out that greasepaint and spread the word of KISS.
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Reviews, Videos

“Rock The Nation” by KISS

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Artist: KISS
Title: “Rock The Nation”
Label: Image Entertainment
Release Date: 12/13/2005
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 8/10

KISS returns to the small screen following their “Rock The Nation” tour with a concert film that is sure to satisfy a large amount of their fans. The KISS of today is a little different than legacy fans might remember as Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have been gone from the group for a couple of years. In their place and their signature makeup is Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on guitar and drums respectively. When this first became practice the original KISS fan in me was annoyed at this aspect but it was clear after some time that Ace and Peter simply were not going to be able to cut it or follow the directives lined out by Simmons and Stanley to keep this group running. I would have preferred these fine musicians join in and KISS carry on without the greasepaint, but in truth KISS in makeup is what fills the seats and allows them the larger than life personas that so many recognize. Having seen them in the live setting I can say that they do the original members justice and perform with an enthusiasm that Peter and Ace no longer seemed to have during their final appearances of their tenure. This DVD takes us to the front row of one of their performances on the “Rock The Nation” tour and it is a great follow-up to their last release of “Alive IV: KISS Symphony”. That particular DVD still had Peter but Thayer was already made up as the Spaceman. “Rock The Nation” was a show that if you were able to get by the other cast members now in famous makeup you were able to enjoy the concert as it featured a large amount of songs that had not been played in years. Songs like “Parasite”, “Love Her All I Can” and “Makin’ Love” had not been part of the live set for a long time and it was indeed a treat to hear them performed again. KISS also had begun the practice of adding non-makeup era songs to their set and this was a welcome change since so many good songs came out after their makeup removal in 1983. As a result we find “Lick It Up”, “Tears Are Falling” and “Unholy” on the film and these were MTV Staples at the time of their release. During this tour there were all sorts of added tunes and I felt KISS could have found a place for them on this double DVD. Sadly they did not and while the concert itself is done and shot well they did not add more of the tracks for the ardent KISS fan to enjoy.
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