The Box Set - A Pleasant Surprise
By: Chris Boros

When I first heard about the track listing for the new KISS box set, I was not a happy camper. I envisioned this collection to be 100% unreleased material. However, only 25% of the box set features the "rare" stuff. I did not, and still don't, think any "original" songs from the albums should have been in this box set. All die-hard KISS fans have the original albums and another collection of these songs would not be geared toward the die-hard fan, but for the fair weathered KISS fan or rock fan in general. I understand this mentality since the goal is to make money and get to as many people as possible. Still, I believe the box set should have been marketed to the die-hard fans-the ones who want "Stanley the Parrot" or Elder material live from the show "Fridays." In the past, when I was younger and lived and breathed KISS, I would have run out and bought the box set the day it came out. Instead, this time, I waited for Christmas and luckily, under the tree, I opened up the $60 addition of the set. I specifically said I didn't want someone spending extra money for the guitar case. If I were to spend extra cash on the box set, I would have wanted a few more discs or a video for my extra money-not a toy. I'm grown up now, and a mini guitar case does not interest me.

With this said, I am quite impressed and excited about the box set. Yes, I'm still not happy with the song selection-even though the demos and unreleased material sound great, I just wish there was more of that on the collection. What impressed me most was the box set's packaging and booklet. Never before in KISStory has the band released something that seriously focused on the music. Let's face it, KISS has never been known for their musical integrity. It's always been about the show, the spectacle, the fire, the blood, and the women. However, with the box set, we finally have something that takes a serious look at the tunes with comments primarily from Gene and Paul (more from other members would have been nice). It's always interesting to find out where a song came from or how and when it was recorded. In the box set, each song is given an in-depth discussion and look into the tune's conception, sound, recording technique, and what and who actually played on the song. In KISStory, guest musicians have never been credited on the albums. It's always been just the four members of KISS that were given the credit while many of us know this to be untrue. For instance, Ace didn't play the solo on "Sweet Pain," and Peter did not play drums on "Dynasty" or "Unmasked." Now, for the first time in KISStory, they have actually given musical credit to the right people. This is extremely nice to see and I was completely shocked and surprised to see KISS giving credit to the other musicians. I still wonder how accurate it is however, as many rumors surrounding Psycho Circus implemented that Peter Criss barely played drums, but he is given drumming credit on the PC tracks included on the box set.

So even though I still wish the collection had more "rare" material, the inside booklet was enough for me to be excited about the set. I thought I knew it all when it came to KISS, but I'm finding out even more new things as I read the booklet with the box set. It would be nice if KISS decided to put out another set (as I'm sure they will) that will focus on more "rare" or even unreleased live versions of songs. For instance, the set was produced as a retrospective look at the band-focusing on all aspects and eras of KISS in chronological order. So if a song like "Crazy Crazy Nights" has to be included, why not give us a rare live performance of the song? Sure, live material often needs to be "touched-up" in the studio but I say forget about that and give us live material exactly how it was performed. If there are mistakes-so be it. We're KISS fans and even if it's not perfect, it doesn't matter because we just want to have as much stuff as we can get our hands on.

KISS might be wise to look at Pearl Jam, a band I'm not really into, though I am very jealous of their fans because the band decided to officially release every single one of their live shows-what a great idea! Perhaps it would be in KISS' best interest to look at this formula-releasing a CD a month as part of some type of CD series might work well. Just imagine this Gene-a CD a month at $15 a CD. Sure, not every rock fan will buy them, but die-hard freaks like me would certainly fork over the cash for an interesting, and often rare collection of songs each month. Not only would KISS make even more money with a plan like this, but it would certainly please the fans. Can you imagine having a brand new KISS CD to buy each month? How cool would that be? The box set is not perfect, but after the sad packaging and album credits on Alive III, it's nice to see they got it right this time.

Rock on KISS Fans.

Chris Boros - (WCPN Radio-Cleveland, Ohio).

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