KISS Album: “Kiss: The Box Set (Standard) [Box]”

Here we go KISS fans (and I'm referring to the ONLY Kiss, 1973-1979)... I want to tell you to buy this box immediately! Discs 1 & 2 will blow you away! A friend of mine was allowed to purchase an advance copy and we listened to it this past Sunday.

I've been a KISS fan since March of 1975(age 9) and I've got to tell you that the excitement level from the material on discs one and two, had me feeling like I was 9 again; that sweet, life changing moment, when I first saw the "Dressed To Kill" album cover; filled with thrilling adrenalin, I was (and to have this kind of *feeling* in the age of "the KISS Kasket" ...well, ain't easy!)

As we listened to the BELL SOUND STUDIO demos(thank you endlessly, KEN SHARP), this excitement and adrenalin couldn't have been at a higher level! The "FIREHOUSE" and "100,000 YEARS" demos were especially JAW DROPPING for us KISS originals. They are much different than the studio versions that we're used to. They have expended sections: some similar to the "ALIVE!" versions, some totally NEW! Also, the playing is outstanding for demos(Kiss sounds like a cohesive machine here.) Alot of times, you get superfluous demos on box sets...not the case here!

Look out for "DONCHA HESITATE" (a previously unreleased, Dressed To Kill era "fun rocker" that'll getcha dancin'.)

"MAD DOG", which features the slowed down riff of "FLAMING YOUTH"(one of the band's most underrated songs), is totally engaging and unique, as it's an ACE & GENE collaboration(with ONLY ACE & GENE performing the song!)

The WICKED LESTER tracks are excellently remastered, as is the OVERALL remastering of the entire box (top-notch!)

The GOD OF THUNDER demo almost makes you giggle a bit with it's up tempo, HI HAT driven, dance feel ( a KISS crew member, who obviously had more than a few KC & The Sunshine Band records in his collection, sat in for the absent Peter Criss on this demo.) Also, as most fans know, Paul Stanley (who wrote the song), handles the vocals(as opposed to Gene Simmons), making this "THUNDER" demo an exciting inclusion on the box.

You also get one track, "ACROBAT"(which is actually an expanded 'Love Theme From Kiss') from the legendary DAISY show, August 25, 1973. The sound is a bit thin here but the "documaent" of it is priceless! I only wish there was more of the show included.

And on that note, let me say that there IS MUCH MORE where all of this came from. This box was supposed to be the "MOTHER of all boxed sets"(as stated by the ever boastful Gene Simmons), so should've included many more delicious demos and unreleased tracks (i.e. "Stanley The Parrot", "Ain't None Of Your Business", etc.) BUT...because of the truly awesome material on discs 1 & 2, it's still very much worth the price.

Disc 4 is just a load of dung (the pathetic 80's era, 84-90, that is only worthy here as a document of how THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND disintegrated into a useless, commercially glossed hair band in the mid eighties. BUT, if you're an actual "KISS" fan (1973-1979), you must buy this box for the fantastic, unearthed material on the first two discs. BTW, disc 3 is good as well.

Believe me, if you WERE THERE in the 70's, you'll be floored by this material (especially the BELL SOUND STUDIO DEMOS from 1973.)

One last thing: The packaging of the "regular" box is excellent. There's nothing different about the "guitar case" version (except for the "guitar case" box, the SAME book but "hard cover" and a "letter" from KISS.) If YOU want to spend another ...for that, more power to ya, but in my book the REGULAR box is all you need.

M.L.

p.s. More "unreleased" PICTURES should've been used for the book. It's a great book but most of the pictures are already available in KISSTORY or elsewhere. There ARE a couple of pictoral beauties though, and the song-by-song

This collection starts off real well with some rare recordings.

My problem is why do they constantly re-release the same old songs over and over again?

Thos Wicked Lester recordings are realy good to listen to,but probably strictly for Kiss fans only.They were trying to sound like bands who were around at that time,and hadnt developed that Kiss sound.But i enjoyed listening to them.

The rest of the 1st Cd goes into the normal album versions,with no variations,and i think that stinks.

Cd 2 starts off with re-releases from Alive 1.Then we have a few rarities,some demos.I like to hear the variations,after all i already have the album versions,so why do i need them again?

The rest of the Cd is a mixture of normal versions and demo's.

Disk 3 gets a bit more disappointing with far fewer alternate versions, 2 demo's only and one live version of Talk To Me.

Disk 4 has got 2 unreleased songs,but no demo's.

Disk 5 has a demo of domino,and 2 songs not released on Kiss albums.

Dont get me wrong this collection has some excellent Kiss songs on it.There is one hell of alot of music here.

But im a Kiss fan of almost 30 years,and i know all their songs.

For new fans this should be a real treat,but i would much rather have alot more rare recordings,demos etc.I believe there is much more out there.

I know songs like Lick It Up are great songs,but how many times do i have to have it?

I realy miss the days when we used to love getting a new album or Cd,and listening to the new songs.Also it was interesting to see how new songs would fit into the next stage show.

Those were the days my friend,i thought they would never end,but for now it seems they have.

I love Kiss. Been a fan since '75. But this is strictly for the die hard collectors! All of us have all this and more in our collections. But to finally have the long awaited "Box Set", was quite the let down. More could've and should've been added. I have mixed emotions on this. Yes it is great to hear Wicked Lester and outtakes. I feel KISS owes all us die hard fans more than this. I have invested all my life into this band, as far being a fan goes. They always say we put them where they are now. Well, its time to step up and say you could've done better than this. I mean Metallica added 3 full length videos along with 3 full CD's!The Bon Fire box set included pretty much all rare stuff. I can't speak for KISS, but I bet they will put out another "box set". But I am tired of paying for stuff I already have! Listen up Gene and Paul, you are in danger of the KISS ARMY going A.W.O.L

Boxed sets are always a controversial issue among fans. They provide enough room to give a listener a comprehensive look at an artist work through already published songs from hits to less known tracks much better than a greatest hits CD. In the other hand, they also give you a chance to hear previously unissued tracks that range from demos, live recordings, alternate takes and completed songs that may be interesting to fans as they are both new and provide a different perspective on an artist creative process. Beacuse of this, its almost imposible to balance new material with already issued one in order to satisfy everybody when it comes to putting a box set into the market.

The Kiss boxed set is a Story Teller one. It is arranged chronologically as to introduce the listener to the band history. The set does an excellent work at this as every track included is relevant to the musical progress of the band. Also, each track is commented by the band (although Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley take a big chunk of the comments included). The comments are key in understanding the ups and downs (or hits and misses if you prefer) of Kiss as a band in both music and band members interpersonal relations.

The set includes about 30 rarities that range from live recordings and demos of both Kiss and Wicked Lester tracks. Most of these tracks are included on the first CD. I found them quite interesting as they reveal the intensity behind the band as some of the demos are more raw and powerfull than the final studio tracks as the demos were done with a live feel.

In summary, this is a good boxed that gives you a complete overview of Kiss from their first days in the 70's to the reunion tour and Psyco Circus CD. Casual fans will need no more in order to have a clear picture of the band. Kiss Army fans may be dissapointed by the package as they probably own most of the material on it. Again, the set works along with the accompanying book with pictures and comments which make it a nice piece of memorabilia. One thing for sure, in my opinion, this is the first of other Kiss box sets to come as Kiss, being most successful as a live band, will most likely edit live material from its vaults.

This KISS box set is a panorama of the KISS tapestry. Five discs give you songs from before KISS was official to the packing up of the costumes. An enclosed book has many photos (which seem familiar rather than new), song titles with credits, and brief commentary from the band.

The book helps with the creative perspective rather than the historical. There are brief comments on what was happening at the time (like Eric Carr's cancer and Ace's dissatisfaction with the band). Most of the comments, from either Paul or Gene with some by Ace or Peter, are about the development of the songs and the influences. It is interesting, but may not mean anything to the average fan (chords, bridges, and keys mean little to me).

Disc one covers 1966-1975. Not all songs are from KISS, but are from Wicked Lester with Gene and Paul. This disc lets you hear a young band experimenting with the sounds of their time. For instance, "She" sounds like something from Jethro Tull, "Stop, Look to Listen" like The Who, and "Leeta" from the Monkees or the Association. I found myself surprised with early incarnations of songs like "Love Her All I Can."

Disc two consists of demos, live versions, and studio sets. Some of the demos, like "Doncha Hesitate," "Mad Dog," "Bad Bad Lovin," and "Love is Blind," never made it to an album, but parts were used later in other songs. "Love is Blind" sounds more like the Eagles than KISS. Again, you see the band is experimenting.

Disc three has many of the classics, but I am still not sure why "Shandi" makes this cut. Again there are songs here which did not appear on another album (like Ace Frehley singing "Talk To Me" in Australia). Here, Paul discusses the many different songs and styles. He states, "However, it is all part of the big painting or the big tapestry that is KISS." That statement puts the whole box set into perspective for me.

Disc four covers the interlude where only Gene and Paul remained from the original band. The notes are confusing in some spots like for "Heaven's on Fire" which lists Mark St. John on lead guitar, but Paul mentions in the notes that he played all the guitars. This may be a bit of bad editing, but it is a puzzler.

The final disc, 1992-1999, ends the disc perfectly. The songs were well chosen to finish a body of work covering over thirty years. It includes songs from the "Unplugged" album and ends with the anthems "Shout It Out Loud" and "Rock and Roll All Nite."

I would heartily recommend this set for KISS fans everywhere. For many of us, this set was a part of our growing up. Thank you, KISS!