The Music, The Music
By: Chris Karam

Let's put aside the greasepaint and the gripes, and focus on an aspect of KISS that is sometimes overlooked: The music. In the grand scheme of things of KISS, the hype and image tend to overshadow what, in my opinion, is the most important thing about Peter, Ace, Gene and Paul. After all, you can't listen to makeup or theatrics when you're sitting alone in your room. You can stare at a picture or album cover, but it's not the same.

Rather than do a blow-by-blow review of KISS' entire recorded repertoire, I'm going to focus on some selected works. The reason for this is focus and brevity: If I reviewed everything, it would take too long and I'd require my own page. I will warn everyone that the opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect that of anyone else. But I wouldn't be surprised if they did...

I'm going to start off with "Destroyer," which is not only the first KISS album I got, but my all-time favorite as well. I like it because of the great production and songs. Some have criticized Bob Ezrin for making an over-produced, over-orchestrated album. So what if he did? I give KISS credit for knowing they had to broaden their horizons and expand their creative parameters. They could've done more of the same, but thankfully, they didn't.

Everyone knows the great songs that came off this album, so there's no need to name them here. I think Ezrin introduced some great touches to the KISS sound. Maybe a boys' choir is a bit over-the-top, but it adds a dimension to a KISS recording that wouldn't have been there if they'd worked with someone else. I think Ezrin pushed everyone to do their best work. I know Ace didn't care for Ezrin, but I think he did a great job here.

Maybe Ace didn't play the guitar solo on "Sweet Pain," but it doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the song just because Dick Wagner played it. Ultimately, I don't care who played what on a song as long as it sounds good and is enjoyable. There are some classic songs here, punctuated with double-tracked guitars, orchestrated instrumental parts and songwriting that pushes the KISS envelope. I don't know whether or not "Destroyer" is a concept album or a whatever album. All I know is that it's a GOOD album.

At the other end of the production spectrum is "Rock And Roll Over," which followed "Destroyer" as the next studio album. Eddie Kramer ("Alive!") produced this one, which is a back-to-basics affair. Still, I think that having done "Destroyer" had an effect on this album. While they'd done basic rock on the first three albums, the stuff here is better written and played with more skill and enthusiasm.

The elaborate production touches are discarded here and that's a good thing: another "Destroyer" would be overkill at this juncture. Having gotten their desire to create an epic work out of their systems, KISS concentrated on what they did best: tight, hook-filled rock with no apologies. I would have to say that this album is number-two on my list.

Let's jump back to the pre-Alive era so that we get a proper overall feel for KISS' recorded work. "Dressed To Kill" was the album that directly preceded "Alive," and of the original trio of studio albums, it's the one with the best production and sound.

The debut album may have had better songs, but this album had a punchier, crisper sound courtesy of Casablanca records chief Neil Bogart, who was no stranger to the recording studio. In stark contrast to the poorly recorded "Hotter Than Hell," "Dressed" brimmed with an energy and power that only early KISS could provide. It also produced their signature song, which I won't name because everybody knows what that is.

The lyrical content here didn't challenge anyone, but that wasn't the point. It's the music that matters and you get a good helping of that here. Even though it's only 30 minutes long, it's still a strong outing and it doesn't leave you with that bloated feeling you get after a big meal or an overlong record.

Let's jump ahead six years to KISS' most controversial record, "Music From The Elder." Bob Ezrin returned to produce this concept album with choirs, orchestration and a new musical direction for the group. No other KISS album has provoked as much debate as this album has. Personally, I like it. I think it was great that they tried something risky like this after 15 albums. Would I want them to have continued in this vein? No. But I'm glad they did make this album, which I feel has some great moments. The only way to "get" the Elder is to listen to it. Don't listen to what anyone says about it, just put it on and listen to it more than once.

You can only go to a KISS concert when they come to your town, but the albums are there all the time. Forget the merchandise and extraneous crap. Just put on an album, any album and... listen.

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