NOTE: I had Red check to make sure this wasn't filed under K before posting my rant on why Kiss: Alive! should be in the list of 1,001 great albums, or whatever it is called. Also, I had asked Red to check before he posted the latest list. I don't know if I influenced him or if he was already going to state that Manson was like Kiss in that if you look beyond the spectacle there is good music there too. Kinda steals my thunder, but that is ok. :)
Alive! was the fourth album released by Kiss and was responsible for putting them over the top stardom wise. Their strong point was their live shows, but they couldn't seem to translate that same energy into their early albums. As soon as this album came out, it immediately turned into increased record sales, concert attendance and stardom.
The biggest amazement is that their draw was their theatrics, make-up and pryo, which you obviously can't see with an album. Yet, the energy and spirit are there. It truly showcases what a great band they were and how endearing their music was. The biggest draw is the showcase of Ace & Peter Criss's talents that can kind of be lost in normal studio recordings. That is the main reason I love Alive! & Alive II. Listen to this album and you will realize why they shout 'Ace is God' all the time. The starman is probably one of the best and most under rated rock guitarist ever.
If nothing else, this album is classic for the live performance of Rock N' Roll All Nite. The problem I always had with the studio version is that there is no guitar solo. How could one of the greatest rock anthems ever not have a guitar solo? I consider this live version the true version of the song, in which Ace tears it up in the middle.
Ok, a negative point that maybe could be the reason for its exclusion. It has come to light in the more recent years that a good amount of the album was overdubbed in the studio to correct mistakes such as: strings breaking, off key notes and plain old mistakes. I know it was first stated by some guy (who I can't remember his name or his role - not one of the band members) that only Ace's guitar and Peter's drums were the live parts of the album. I believe Kiss finally came out in the late 90's and admitted to some doctoring of the sound.
Does that kill the spirit of the album? I could see how some would say yes, but I don't agree. The sound and feel are still there. It is a live album at heart and a damn good one. As we progress through the book, I will be interested to see if any live albums come up. We shall wait and see (which means don't tell me Red).
A little nugget for Red and anyone else who might live in our neck of the woods. Part of the album was recording at a venue in the Quad Cities (Moline & Rock Island, IL and Bettendorf & Davenport, IA). During the last song of disc 2, 'Let Me Go, Rock N' Roll', you can hear Gene yell 'Come on Quad Cities' at about 1:04.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
5 comments:
I believe you and it is a valid point on that set. He kinda is that same character of the times like they were. It just made me go huh cause it was already part of my point to why this album was great. You didnt get the makeup, just the music.
Is the theory that the editor had his kiss action figures stolen when he was a kid and now is taking it out on them? :)
ps, you might want to edit your post!
I don't know how you edit comments, so I just deleted it. I don't think I said anything all that enlightening anyways.
I'll fill you in on my theory on a later date. But that's a pretty good guess.
Well I know no one reads this thing but we have worked so hard at being hidden i didnt want to ruin it now :) But you said your theory was unproven. Still I will patiently wait to hear your side.
Post a Comment