Reviews (page 7 of 8)
It's been about 46 years since I've listened to this album, courtesy of my older brother who blasted this album on an 8-track stereo. Detroit, Rock City, and Beth (such a contrast from the other songs), merit this 4 stars. King of the Night Time World, Shout It Out Loud, and Do You Love Me are others I liked. Flaming Youth was a "new" discovery listening to it with the adult perspective. Lyrics are not the deepest, and a couple of filler songs in there, but most are pretty rockin' numbers.
I was hoping this would be more fun than it turned out to be. It's just ponderous and deadly dull. There's no power in these power ballads. A shame because the cover sure promises a campy good time.
2.8/5 Yeah that was Kiss. Best track: Beth
Detroit rock city might be their best and most impactful track. And Beth is at least there second most popular. The rest may well all be the same song. It's funny that back when I was really into Kiss I was too young to understand how horny the songs were, and now it's clear you really need to be an 11 year old straight boy to appreciate them. The whole thing would be substantially elevated if they (at least Gene and Paul) had a bit more awareness of their silliness, even while they were making millions.
Classic
Ehh it's fine. Pretty tame. Not the largest fan of KISS as they always come across as very, very goofy. Hey at least it's short.
KISS has always been a band based more on marketing than a band based on musicianship...at least to me. I think this album needs to be heard and probably should be on this list, as the history of music can't be complete without a listen to a KISS album. Saying that, I would give this album a 5-star review for inclusion reasons, but the music is "eh" for me. There is good stuff on here, but a song like "Great Expectations" is one gruff Gene Simmons voice from being a power ballad from the 80's. Points for foresight, I guess. Detroit Rock City, Flaming Youth, Shout it Out Loud and Do You Love Me are really good tracks. So listen, see what you think and then go buy a KISS doll/t-shirt/lunch box since that's really what they want you to do.
American glam rock... Ive heard bits of their stuff before but nothing memorable... its was mostly a commercially directed peacock display by the members of the group, rather than any musical talent or composition. When I seen the album up for review I was a bit wary, but in the end, as it was a commercially sold image and sound, I found it not as bad as I thought it would be... although this album is supposed to be their best... oh wow. This kinda over hyped dramatics is just not my thing. I'd struggle to find something constructive to say, so I'll summarise in one word what my gut feel was for this album and group... Shite!
I've liked but not really dug into KISS before. This was run. Sounds like the 70s but in the best way possible.
Solid album full of classic rock staples.
This is a ton of Rock in 34 minutes.
Kiss isn't the most technical or sophisticated band, but they're entertaining AF! This is definitely one of their best products.
Guitar sounds are great, bass as well. I appreciate the thematic sounds in the production (the car sounds indicating a journey of some kind). I don't connect with the lyrics at all. They actively make me want to vomit and turn the record off. So that's what I did.
Inoffensive, but bland. Lacks any edge or personality. It's like an AI generated rock music. Maybe if I was 14 in 1976 this would really hit. Don't get me wrong, if I WAS, and I was invited to a KISS concert, I'd go and probably be blown away.
This album has great lyrics like on great experience gene says “then you stand and clutch your breast.” I doubt many women would do that if gene Simon’s was looking at them
High camp, so so music.
The primary appeal of KISS lies in the spectacle-the facepaint, the lights, the pyrotechnics. Take that away and you’re left with songs that are at best middling, at worst barely competent.
The best and worst of rock n roll on one album
Pretty average
Mercifully short. I tried to listen without prejudice - it helps not seeing their costumes while listening, but still not strong. Identikit rock.
1. Detroit Rock City - random intro but the actual song was ok pretty boppy. 2. King of the Night Time World - interesting transition from the previous song. 3. God of Thunder - I don’t really like the way this one is sung, the music is ok. 4. Great Expectations - I didn’t like the lyrics of this one or the sound at all really. 5. Flaming Youth - not too bad but don’t love it. 6. Sweet Pain - not great I liked the guitar tho 7. Shout It Out Loud - I had heard this one before, not too bad pretty catchy. 8. Beth - I heard this in Glee lol…didn’t like it then or now haha…wasn’t coming here for ballads 9. Do You Love Me - I don’t actually mind the chorus of this one, it’s not too bad. 10. Rock and Roll Party - instrumental. I hadn’t really listened to kiss apart from their hits so it was interesting for me. It wasn’t too bad, definitely the sound I was expecting so wasn’t too shocked. I don’t love the singing style but it’s good for what it is, definitely influential.
Good bombastic arena rock
This simplistic, commercialised, musically boring glam rock/hard rock isn't my cup of tea. It's listenable enough not to give it a 1 but it doesn't deserve anything more than a 3 out of 10.
Don’t like KISS
Dads favorite band as a kid. Detroit rock city and Beth are obviously the best. The rest was alright. Rating: 3.4
I wouldn't have listened to this if I were a teenager in the 70s.
Every time I hear the song Detroit Rock City, it reminds me of the movie of the same name. The movie follows some teenagers who are trying to get tickets to see KISS in concert. I'm not sure why this version of the song had a 1:30 skit about someone getting into a car and going for a drive, but the song itself is fantastic! There's also a 1:25 song at the end of the album (Rock 'N' Roll Party) that is just crowd cheering noises. Fuck skits. KISS were so commercialized. Like comically so. I don't know why they became the focus of the parent groups calling them satanic. They're one of the lightest, most synthesized rock groups, almost verging on pop rock or some shit. Keith Moon lived a more rock and roll lifestyle than any member of KISS, and Alice Cooper was beheading himself on stage most nights, but KISS's pyrotechnics and Gene Simmons' long ass tongue was just too much for the parents. Maybe it's because KISS sang about banging things, but fuck so did the Who (Squeeze Box for example). You know how The Monkees were a farcical pop band who's only reason for existing was a tv show? KISS was the Monkees of rock music. Favourite songs: Shout It Out Loud, God of Thunder, Detroit Rock City, Beth Least favourite songs: Great Expectations, Rock 'N' Roll Party 3/5
Has several classics! 4/5
I am not a fan of KISS. I don't know how much my dislike of KISS has to do with how insufferable Gene Simmons is. While not a hard listen, I was happy when it was over.
Fun listen! I found that the recording of this record sounded almost as if it was live? Especially on songs like God of Thunder. I had to check to make sure I wasn't listening to a live version but nope! Surprised to hear I recognized a lot of these songs, even though these aren't many of the typical really popular KISS songs. Good album.
Well, at least it isn’t too long… God, Paul Stanley is pathetic. Middway through the album his whole deal is how a girl has to have great expectations to want to sleep with him, by the end of the album he’s worried that the sort of woman he’s attracting with his rock n roll life style doesn’t really love him for who he is deep down. What deep down, Paul? You’ve spent all of your songs talking about how well you fuck and do rock n roll. There is no deep down, she’s as attracted to your personality as you are to hers. Is how my joke was going to go, until I found out that Great Expectations was written and sung by Gene Simmons. Motherfuckers can’t even set up jokes for reviews properly. I was gonna give this two stars to be charitable to Detroit Rock City and Beth. But fuck ‘em Outside of those two songs, everything else on this album is really bad and boring slabs of artless party rock that was no doubt very influential to the bad and boring slabs of party rock that made up the majority of mainstream rock in the decade that followed Destroyer’s release. I honestly don’t know why anyone would want to make music like this. I went and listened to Black Rose by Thin Lizzy immediately after this, and the difference is night and day. Phil Lynott actually had topics he wrote about, and they’re interesting and varied, he can go from a character piece about a down on his luck gambler, to a song about his daughter, to a song about addiction, to a song about Celtic mythology, all on one album. Kiss sing about sex, partying and rock, exclusively. The two highlights are, as mentioned above, Detroit Rock City and Beth. DRC is interesting mostly because of the instrumental sections. There’s some good harmonies there, and I can’t work out the time signature, so it always keeps me on my toes. It could have done without the minute and a half long build up of someone driving a car, but whatever. I enjoy the song at least. Beth is a nice ballad, Peter Criss has a good, throaty voice, and the lyrics make it seem as if he’s as pissed off at having to hang around with the rest of the band as I was at having to listen to them. It’s a great portrait of someone in a relationship being forced out by his asshole friends, and just counting the minutes until he can go home and stop pretending to be an asshole himself. Kiss do not work without the makeup and pyro. When you’re forced to listen to them just as music, the flaws in their songwriting and personalities become blindingly obvious. Gene Simmons can go and fuck himself for making this awful, awful band a thing with his marketing tactics
Nope. No depth to it and the generic vocalisations drive me bonkers. Bit embarrassing really for grown men.
A few good songs for a made up band who are more impressed with themselves than I am
My brother was obsessed with KISS when we were kids, so I'm very familiar with all these songs. Can't say I've ever seen the appeal, they sound pretty bland to me. Nothing really to love, but nothing worth hating either.
Yeah, I'm not an American Teenager so totally did not get into Kiss. But it is a fun listen and I can see the appeal. Fave track: Detroit Rock City
I'm too young and too British to have ever gone through a KISS phase. I can appreciate this in a kind of Spinal Tap way, I guess, but lawd, don't focus too much on the lyrics! 😆 Fave track - eh, "King of the Night Time World" maybe? I am the kinda douchebag that liked the album intro and outro sound collages more than any of the songs, though. ✌️
Who thought this is a quintessential album that everyone needs to hear? It's really mediocre when they're not on stage. Their stage presence is legendary, but their music is milquetoast. I do hear where others gathered some influence, QOTSA's songs for the dead and Weezer's entire catalog.
Some of these songs sound like they were written as jokes. I dont think they were supposed to be intentionally funny, unless KISS thinks of their fans as the butts of the joke. Detroit Rock City saved it from being a 1.
detroit rock city solid. others ok. 2 stars
Album starts strong but quickly descends into a parody of itself. When the songs on Spinal Tap hit harder you know it's not a good sign
Solid Americana heavy rock, wiith a typical 70’s sound, but nothing exceptional. Beth is a nice ballade though
Kiss at there komic book best. 5 of the songs on here made it onto their 2nd live album, says a lot about their back catalogue.
This album’s a rocker. A lotta fun. Just downright enjoyable. 4/5
It's pretty impressive that they were able to turn elementary song writing into a career spanning 24 albums. They def have some solid hits here but most of this album feels like filler.
Rock n’ Roll is supposed to be raw, authentic and energetic. Kiss is none of those things. They are very possibly the most overrated band of all time. I cannot stand them. Destroyer very inoffensive music. 2 stars would be fair but I can’t separate this bland, boring, gimmick rock from the literal clowns playing it. 3.9/10
Not it Chief. Very much of its time.
2 killer songs but the rest was forgettable.
soooo glad we’re going as them for halloween
Sometimes, things suck in an endearing way. This sucks in an endearing way. Favorite track: Detroit Rock City
Just wow, I didn't realize how not Rock and Roll this group really is.
Some KISS classics and a good set of songs all around.
Great classic KISS. Prior to ever listening to them, seeing their outfits and their album artwork, I was expecting one thing from them, and then I heard them and was totally at a loss.
This gets two stars because there are some decent riffs. The lyrics are horrible and the music is unbelievably stale and derivative even with a change in producer. Kiss is not a band who is known for their music, they are known for the spectacle. This has its place, but to listen to the music itself in isolation loses the core identity of the band. The fact that this was an explicitly commercial pursuit is more of a reason to discount the musicianship of the band.
Never cared that much for KISS but I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Especially the latter tracks show some musical dexterity that I didn't expect.
Embarrassing listening to this album now, very dated and the songs really do suck. Apart from Detroit Rock City, which still isn't a great song, the rest of the album is pandering, boring and they sound like a parody of a "metal" rock band. The album cover is the highlight and I prefer the clown-face band in their comic book personas in the Marvel Comics Super Special from 1977 that used the band members blood. Too bad they didn't put their blood and soul into any of their music.
Pretty unusual to be honest - not what I expected at all. Theatrical rather than Glam. It's not bad really.
It is proper rock. But it doesn't get to me fully. Nothing breathtaking.
This is a tough one. KISS is so cheesy, but they started out with a cool, badass concept. Gene Simmons is just the grossest, most immature person. His obnoxious opinions on music are laughable because he’s only just barely a musician himself. This is probably the best KISS has ever been musically? I do love Detroit Rock City, that’s a great song. But the rest is just formulaic rubbish. I’m going to be kind though and split the score right down the middle because I did have some nostalgic fun while listening.
GOD THIS IS TERRIBLE MAKE IT STOP
The rockers are fun, the ballads are bad
For a brief moment, when I was about 13 or 14, I liked this band a lot, and I liked the theatrics they were known for. I owned this album and I went as Peter Criss on Halloween in 6th or 7th grade, not so long after this album was released. Good grief, I even watched the movie, "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park"! I haven't really listened to them in many decades. Listening now, although I hear some very skilled performances, I'm just not that interested beyond some nostalgia. Totally get why they were so huge at the time, though -- they hit the market at a great time for them to be successful.
What an album, whilst never having listened to this album from cover to cover, I was familiar with about half of the album. Naturally a powerhouse heavy metal band like Kiss, it's hard not to know at least a couple of the songs off this album. Best: Detroit Rock City Worst: Rock 'n' Roll Party
Shout it Shout it Shout it out loud. You Gotta Have a Party. And I agree, this is of course a 5-star rock album. Probably the best Kiss album, but I like most of their 70s output.
There are a few really nice songs and some that can be skipped. Nothing exceptional here.
AJ: Rock City rocks. Beth rules because of Paul Rudd in Role Models. Shout it Out Loud sounds like it was made for That 70’s show.
Fucking awesome!
It was fine but definitely don't want to listen to it again
No they werent the best, but they were a huge part of my youth. Sister loved them and they will always hold a place. Solid for just for the memories.
The first thing I ever heard about KISS was that the name stood for Knights In Service of Satan. So I figured they were, basically, Slayer. This is when I was like 8 or 9 so give me a break. But I figured they were super hard. It took me a while to get the joke and the joke is pretty dumb so KISS might've been one of my favorite bands if I'd latched on to them in those early years. Still, a few interesting songs.
These days KISS are a shambling parody of who they used to be, and Paul Stanley sounds like Elaine Stritch, but that's okay because they always sucked. I own this album. Down the years I've tried and tried but have failed to see it other than a clumsy, overwrought clunker. KISS have no bounce, soul or groove. Their lyrics are childish. The musicianship barely touches competency. However, they did look like kabuki aliens, so yay I guess. There are two good songs on Destroyer - 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Shout It Out Loud'. The rest range from okay to dreadful. Gene Simmons sounds like he's burping up a hot dog on 'God of Thunder'. 'Beth' is wetter than an otter's pocket and makes the Carpenters sound like Napalm Death. 'Flaming Youth' is what happens when Paul Lynde sings a Sweet b-side. Peter Criss can't play the drums. At least it's over quite quickly. Small mercies 'n' all that.
I think KISS is why they invented greatest hits albums. There's just zero reason to listen to the stuff that didn't make it to the radio, because a lot of that isn't great anyway so you KNOW the deep cuts are going to be pretty flaccid. "Flaming Youth?" Ooof. I will say, I don't think I'd ever heard the song "Great Expectations" before and I found that one really interesting, in the sense that it could almost be something if it were performed by almost anyone other than KISS. Because it sure as shit is not why anyone is listening to KISS in the first place. Which is true for probably a lot of their catalog. Go listen to the cover of "God of Thunder" by Death. Shit rips.
J'ai pas mal eu ce à quoi je m'attendais en partant un album de Kiss. En aucun cas mauvais, mais je n'ai pas été du tout surpris par quoique ce soit sur l'album. Évidemment Detroit Rock City reste un gros banger, mais le rest de l'album est du shock rock comme on le connait. 7/10
Not a fan, nothing else
are KISS just a big joke that i don't quite understand? like some of their music appears to be real but the majority of it is spinal tap turned up to 11. what is the overriding emotion of someone who actively chooses to listen to kiss? is it respect? awe? introspection? laughter? they confuse the fuck out of me.
KISS ARE MY FAVOURITE BAND EVER!!! I ONCE PAID $40,000 TO HAVE GENE SIMMONS TONGUE FUCK MY WIFE WHILST I HID IN A WARDROBE MASTURBATING. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE ONE WITH THE CAT MAKEUP INSTEAD. SHE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND, BUT I WASTED SO MUCH JIZZ ON THAT DUDE.
Fun fact: Two of the members of the popular rock band KISS, are allergic to pork.
KISS would’ve been good if they didn’t make corny music and dropped the gimmick. 2/5
besser als erwartet, aber trotzdem nix besonderes
kiss is well known for their hard rock and metal sound, and they're very good at what they do! but they're also one note. this album is undeniably fun and great for concerts but lacks substance. these songs are big and contains well played music but are rather similar to one another. these are corny songs in a way; "detroit rock city" starts off with a radio intro that's kind of campy! enjoyable to an extent, but not very fulfilling.
I think this KISS album definitely seemed to mark a turning point in the band's work that would ultimately lead to further work that would become bigger standout songs in their discography. This album, however, is not very interesting. "Detroit Rock City" is a fun song, but it really can't carry the whole album. The rest of the album has moments of cool guitar riffs, but the song construction and singing all ultimately feels pretty lackluster. Even "Beth", which is praised for its orchestration, isn't even that good when you look at the rest of the pieces of it. KISS, in my mind, is mostly a spectacle anyway with very little actual substance or intrigue. While this album paved the way for some of their bigger hits, there's virtually none of that here. Just not that interesting.
For some reason, I was obsessed with kiss as a small child despite only ever listening to two of their songs, one of which is one this album (shout it out loud). However, I never really stuck with them as I grew up and haven't listened to them in quite a while so I found my nostalgia levels to be minimal. If it had also included rock and roll all night it would've been a perfect kiss album for me. As it stands, however, this was a cheesy glam rock album that has the meatloaf energy (though not as fun) of always feeling like charismatic rock anthems made specifically for 14 year olds. As a 21 year old, I now get why 5 year old me liked it so much because the lyrics and sound are a completely inoffensive shiny object that sounds nice if completely shallow. Crazy that weirdos in the 70s and 80s thought this was too evil and inappropriate for the general public when it's actually suitable for ages 2 and up.
This was just a really enjoyable rock album. I had already heard "Beth", "Detroit Rock City", "God of Thunder" and "Shout It Out Loud" because of a few older cousins who liked Kiss and those tracks still to me stand out as the best tracks on the album. I would probably say "Beth" is the best to me. Other songs I enjoyed were "Sweet Pain", "Do You Love Me?" and "King of the Night Time World". A solid 9/10.
Honestly better than I expected. I though this would be some unbearable garbage "pop" rock, but it was pretty tame. I can't say I want to listen to this again, but I did not mind this first time.
A good early heavy metal album. Not really my absolute favourite though. It's fun and energetic, but I personally wish it could have kept the energy of Detroit Rock City throughout. There were some other good tracks here but I definitely liked the first one the most. Favourite: Detroit Rock City
it was ok, i only really liked two songs - “great expectations” and “beth”. the rest weren’t bad but they weren’t my favorite either.
Embarrassingly over-the-top tosh. It's hard to not rock out with your cock out. Or jam out with your clam out, whichever is more comfortable for you.
HL: “Detroit Rock City”, “Great Expectations”, “Beth”, “Shout it Out Loud”, “Do You Love Me?” Oh come now Big dum 70’s cheese, what’s not to like I had an epiphany a couple years ago listening to their compilation Greatest Kiss, it being that Kiss weren’t as good as I remember from youth. But now, with a clearer head, I have let them back into my eardrums (5/10 of these songs were in that comp) and we’re cool now August 11, 2023
Always found Kiss' music gimmicky, uninspiring, and rather ordinary. A disrespectful waste of its listener's time, if you will. And I still do, I don't care about the band's image or how flashy their live shows with fireworks coming off their guitars are.
Best Song: Detroit Rock City. Ignoring the annoying, protracted intro, this is lively and kind of fun, with a nice chunky riff. Worst Song: Beth. This might be one of the worst songs ever written. Why are these corny, "sell their grandmother for a few more dollars" ultra-consumerists doing pretending they have the soul to sing anything approximating a ballad? Boys, you sold those souls a long time ago; stop singing in that ugly falsetto. Overall: The definition of style over substance (although it should be noted that I also think this particular style is also trash). If they existed today, people would deride Kiss' brand of unbridled, soulless capitalism as tasteless, and would view the band members as inhuman, Zuckerbergian lizard people, and yet in the 70s they were lauded. Fucking wild. Congratulations on all the lunchbox sales, boys.
Some classic songs here. It's certainly a vibe. I'm not sure I'd want to listen to this particular album again though. KISS has better music than this on offer.
i probably haven’t listened to this album in over 25 years, so i felt like i was coming into this with a fresh set of ears. this should be interesting. first and foremost, KISS is a great live band. their stage show is indeed a sight to behold. case in point, the band was struggling early in until the release of KISS - alive! and then word started circulating about the power of their live show. KISS is an example of a band that continued to put out albums in order to justify touring. there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that; in my opinion, KISS music just translates better in a live setting. destroyer was the first studio album after the release of KISS - alive! and so it was bound to do well. this album is chock full of live staples (“detroit rock city”, “god of thunder”, “shout it out loud”, “beth”). and with bob ezrin producing, it was bound to make the band sound better. one thing glaringly obvious: “paul songs” are much better than “gene songs”. gene simmons has always had an ENORMOUS ego, even in 1976 when the band was still trying to find its way. just listen to “great expectations” and try not to laugh at how full of himself he is and how hokey the song comes across. KISS as musicians and songwriters are PAINFULLY average. paul is a decent singer, i guess. i can’t help but think it is merely a vanity project when gene takes lead vocals, because he really can’t sing. and the band playing their instruments just seem to go through the motions when playing. to be honest, if it wasn’t for the reputation of their live shows and their decades of merchandising anything they can put their name on, i don’t know if they would still be around. destroyer has a few decent songs with ample amounts of filler. to put this album on an “album you must listen to before you die” list seems a bit misguided. if you must represent KISS on this list, KISS - alive! would be the obvious choice.
I've never really listened to much KISS. This was great. I could have done without the last two tracks, but I enjoyed this quite a bit.
Fun listen. Kiss gets shit on a lot but they’ve got so good stuff. Hard rock, ballads, and they sure know how to talk to those 70’s teenagers.
I can't believe KISS was ever considered a heavy band corrupting the youth with their demonic metal. This shit sounds like Christmas music. Hair metal ages in dog years. None of these guys are particularly talented. They're a marketing brand that just so happened to start as a music group. It's like listening to "Hello Kitty - The Album".
I said in a review for an AC/DC album that they were about as dull as hard rock gets, but being reminded of KISS’ existence really puts that statement in perspective.
sonzao nask
Kiss my ass
I had always thought that the entire KISS apparatus was a joke, and as a result I had never really sat down and listened to an entire album, every single song to give it that critical listening appraisal. I have now done that and can definitely say the entire KISS apparatus is a joke.
Detroit Rock City is the most redeeming track on this album. The balance of it is pretty terrible (Great Expectations and Beth ... WTF?). Growing up in the midwest in the late 70's / early 80's these guys were a staple of all older neighborhood badasses. The concept is stronger than the music.... but I gotta say those platform heels are fantastic!
Opening with the brief call-out to “Rock and Roll All Nite” was a shrewd move by Kiss, sure to give the listener some warm nostalgia fuzzies. However, “Destroyer” quickly kills that goodwill. It was tolerable until the ridiculous “God of Thunder.” It only really recovers with “Shout It Out Loud,” and when I’m looking to rock and roll all nite, the “Rock and Roll Party” seems to come to a screeching halt.
Some great songs and some super lame-o songs even this out to a 3.
I know 70s male rock musicians were all trying to get with women. Great Expectations has to be THE LAMEST attempt to entice women ever written into a lyric sheet. There is zero creativity in this writer’s abilities. Look at these terrible lyrics: “You're sittin' in your seat And then you stand and clutch your breasts Our music drives you wild along with the rest You watch me singing this song You see what my mouth can do And you wish you were the one I was doin' it to And you watch me playin' guitar And you feel what my fingers can do And you wish you were the one I was doin' it to“ The saddest part is that the song probably still worked on a regular basis. Some of the other songs are OK, but I can’t get over Great Expectations.
I love me some 70s KISS. I didn't love every song on this album.
This was not the Kiss album that I had in my youth. I really didn't know this album, just some of the tracks. Listening now, I am wondering if we were ever supposed to take them seriously. Certainly not the outrageously hard rock that I thought they were when I was 10 yers old. But, kind of fun(ny)!
And with this I believe we've stumbled upon the album on this list that I've known and loved the longest. My brother bought this one on 8-track when I was 8 years old and we listened to it a LOT. These songs are catchy as hell. KISS found the formula for a rock anthem with Rock and Roll All Nite and they copy it a few times on Destroyer with tunes like Shout It Out Loud and Flaming Youth. But every song makes me want to rock out and sing along, even Beth. Is this a great album? I couldn't possibly say. It's too much in my bones. Is it a great time? Hell, yes!
This was one of the coolest album covers of my pre-adolescent years. I used to look at it with wonder and fear. Tremble before the Knights In Satan’s Service spitting blood as they wield their dark powers! Of course, KISS’ television debut was on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special featuring Donny & Marie (also in satanic garb), Florence Henderson and Tim Conway. Really cool growing up in a time where such nexuses could form. When this cover popped up today I felt the excitement of my youth all over again! This is the KISS album where every single song feels like it was released as a single. I’m a little shocked to read that only four of the songs actually were because ALL of the songs on here have carved grooves into my brain. KISS is one of many instances where a strong dose of musical theater drew me out and expanded my musical horizons. Destroyer is a foundation for my appreciation of the heavier side of rock laid in my pre-teen years that still looms large in my imagination today. I can’t muster anything but love for this album.
honestly boring
Bra platta. Inte riktigt lika bra som Dynasty men inte långt ifrån.
Hair metal is so lame and cringe. Just don't see the appeal at all.
Schlock from the Schlockmiesters
Cheesy, sleazy, and just entertaining enough to please me, this album had me chuckling and enjoying at least the first half. It took me back to a simpler time playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, unlocking the KISS level. At 16 years old, this was one of the coolest albums in the world to me. Anyway, hail satan and all that.
Wake up, losers, it’s cock rock o’clock!
Quite good
Time will not be gentle to KISS. People will look past the makeup, the outfits, the stage antics and so-forth because KISS will lose their mythos and be judged by their music. And because they only had a handful of good songs (not great, just good), KISS will fall by the wayside. But it would be a mistake to brush them off so quickly. For a period, they were the biggest rock stars in the world. It didn't matter how underwhelming their albums were, they delivered. Energetic, effective, fun rock songs that broke through the cultural milieu to practically define rock music for the next decade or so. Some internet user, braver than I, once said "Some of these songs are really bad, however it's still a classic". Such a bold take: the songs suck, and the album's a classic. Only KISS could do that.
Passable tunes for babies recorded in a metal bin, some mid-tier guitar wail and cymbal-drowned percussion played in the kennel next door, but has Paul Stanley played “Great Expectations” to his daughter? Pukey!
Easy to make fun of, and with good reason. Opener "Detroit Rock City" is clearly the template for Spinal Tap's (much better) "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight". Rest of it sounds like typical Alice Cooper musical theater. Indeed, I'm starting to spot the easy cliches in the Ezrin production style - hopefully Berlin isn't ruined for me.
I can't exactly call it good but isn't being bad sort of the point?
This album changed Rock n Roll forever. Looking back on it now, it is hard to remember just how much of a big deal this album was. Standouts: Beth, Shout it Out Loud, Detroit Rock City Good to listen to, but it has lost a bit of 'bigness' after all these years. 3.5/5
I'm a bit surprised to find this album on here instead of Alive!, just because that was such a monster hit album for them. Anyway, the songs are simplistic, the lyrics are completely inane, but if you don't take it too seriously it's kind of fun. They did know how to write songs that had a solid hook. 3 stars.
Very good
It's fairly inoffensive, if a bit bland a repetitive. Which is impressive for an album that lasts just over half an hour. The standout song is Detroit rock city, which is a really good song. Though this version has all sorts of nonsense at the start. I'd recommend skipping the album and just listen to the version that just starts with the song. The rest of sort of drags, going between meh background rock, to not very good rock. 2 stars.
I'm a few hundred albums into this "challenge", and this by far the worst album yet. I'd rather guzzle Satan's diarrhea than listen to this one again. If there was a magic spell that could undo this album to make it never exist and the material component for the spell was my ears, I would willingly sacrifice them to negate the existence of this trash.
enjoyed it 4*
Beth!
Why do they repeat the choruses like fifty times? Seems like they're padding out the runtime, and not very well at that...the album's only 34 minutes even with all that repetition. It's weird feeling nostalgic for an album ive never heard, but this is the prototype for a lot of the big, dumb rock albums my teenage self loved in the late 90s/early 2000s. I loved "Detroit Rock City" and "Shout it out Loud" going in, so points for those, though I'm not huge on the extra sound affects/setup on DRC. "Beth" kind of sucks? But if I'd been born twenty years earlier I would probably love this album. But I wasn't and I don't.
Obviously the band don't take themselves too serious and they had a huge following. Taken for what it is, I suppose it's ok. But I can honestly say I would never choose to play anything from this album.
Pure dribble, genuinly music is terrible and lyrics are like, I'm really cool all you ladies love me, dont you? Really come on I'm awesome. Your not awesome, you suck!
A bit shit, like a not very funny parody. Best bit? Only half an hour long. Still half an hour too long though.
Pants
Enjoyed a few of the songs, overall *shrugs*
Rock for the kiddos, so cartoonish. It's derivative glam rock but with faster drums and heavier riffs. Everything from the vocals to their garage style in most tracks feels very much like a copycat of the New York Dolls but with a bigger budget. But of the ones that don't: "God of Thunder" sounds like a stereotypical 70s heavy metal track but with a gimmick, "Great Expectations" tries to be proggy and bright like Alice Cooper but goes on way too long and feels like a children's track, and "Beth" is an even lamer and unoriginal ballad than what Ozzy tried doing for Black Sabbath, but for some reason is the most popular track. Honestly, "Detroit Rock City" and "Shout it Loud" are the only tracks that I'd actually want to hear again.
Well I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I obviously know of Kiss, but more as a parody of themselves. I was kind of hoping for balls out, gleeful, glam kind of rock and roll and was a little let down by what I heard. Won’t be joining the Kiss army any time soon I’m glad to say.
If ever there was a band that relied on gimmicks and the flamboyancy of their live performances, it is KISS. So here I am, raised on the music several decades removed from these monochromatic maniacs, trying my best to unearth any signs that would validate the inclusion of this album on this list. I guess the question comes down to, are stage theatrics and live performances that accompany an album, a valid part of how that album should be appraised. Since I'm undecided on the answer, I'll split the difference and blow two half-hearted kisses in the general direction of these attention starved mascots. 😘😘 STOP... time out... YouTube autoplay just threw a wrench in to the works. Here I am seconds away from giving TWO STARS to a goddam KISS album, when the YT algorithm serves me a Motorhead song to remind me what 70's metal is supposed to sound like. Fuck that was close... Praise the algorithm once again! Perspective is everything!
At times, funny but then I’d remember it’s unironic and that it’s not a parody. The rest of the experience was characterised by boredom.
God this album sucks. Its arguable that its an important album since KISS is technically a hugely popular band, so it gets 2 stars (my rating for things I don't like a but am open to argument for inclusion). I don't have any reason to hate KISS, which would push this more towards 1 star, but honestly it's just kind of silly and embarrassing. By track 3, I was already tired of listening to it.
Their sound sure doesn't quite match their look. This sounded like if you told a business man to whip up a rock album. Kinda flat, kinda lame unfortunately. Expected more sound, something bigger/stronger.
KISS' whole thing was, you know, always pretty dumb, aside from delivering extremely competent hard rock music... This is such a perfect artifact of its time and their particular zeitgeist (that allowed them to unironically claim an "army" of fans), that the level of meathead passes through to the other side and becomes part of the appeal.
Amazing intro track. It's cool how they incorporate symphonic elements in tracks like Great Expectations and Beth. Favorites would be God of Thunder and Flaming Youth. 8/10
This album is WWE rock and roll. What is the big deal about kiss? One good song, not as bad as some of the other albums we've listened to: solid set in stone 2 star.
Lazy song writing
Kind of mindless. Okay at best, but have also heard worse. 2.5.
Destroyer by KISS is an album that undeniably carries the iconic rock 'n' roll spirit of the band. Released in 1976, it is often regarded as one of their most popular and commercially successful albums. However, as someone who has listened to it and found it to be a bit generic, I would give it a modest rating of 3.5 out of 5. The album kicks off with the explosive anthem "Detroit Rock City," which immediately sets the tone for what's to come. The track showcases the energetic guitar riffs and powerful vocals that KISS is known for. Similarly, "Shout It Out Loud" and "God of Thunder" deliver on the band's signature bombastic sound, with catchy hooks and memorable choruses. While these songs undoubtedly capture the essence of KISS, they also contribute to the album's generic feel. The formulaic song structures and predictable lyrics often follow the tried-and-tested rock conventions of the era, leaving little room for innovation or experimentation. As a result, some tracks blend together and fail to leave a lasting impression. One standout moment on the album is the ballad "Beth," which showcases a softer and more vulnerable side of KISS. The heartfelt piano-driven track offers a refreshing change of pace and displays the band's ability to evoke emotion beyond their hard-rock image. Additionally, "Flaming Youth" and "King of the Night Time World" inject some energy and excitement into the album with their driving rhythms and infectious hooks. These songs provide moments of enjoyment and showcase the band's undeniable talent. While Destroyer has its moments, it falls short in terms of overall originality and memorable songwriting. The album leans heavily on the established KISS formula, which may satisfy die-hard fans but could leave some craving more artistic depth and innovation.
It is what it is 1.3
Pretty decent album but nothing to write home about. I put it in the background and kind of forgot about it. Great Expectations did stand out for me.
It was a good album. Several songs were recognizable. I would listen to some songs again but not the whole album.
Straightforward 70s hard rock album. Detroit Rock City is the clear highlight, I like the guitar solos on that one. Other than that the songs are simple and catchy, however the vocals are goofy at times. God of Thunder is guilty of this, although the riff is memorable.
Well, seems like we have another 1 on our hands. At first, it seems like it might be an alright album, with the decent (and more self-aware) ‘Detroit Rock City’. Then it takes a nose dive - not good for an album that wasn’t particularly great anyway. The next two songs are just throwaway, but then we reach ‘Great Expectations’, which is literally about how you great the singer is and you how much you want him to notice you. You’ve apparently got ‘great expectations’, so he does, but here’s a question: what the HELL does that even mean? His head was probably so far up his own ass that it was cutting off his air flow or something. Then comes ‘Flaming Youth’, literally just the comedy stereotype of ‘punk kid is so much cooler than older people; they just don’t get it’, but it’s played completely seriously. That’s literally it. After that comes ‘Sweet Pain’ - on first listen, I only noticed the chorus, but then I realized it’s about involuntary S&M and how the girl will eventually love him for it. Holy shit. Let’s just move on to ‘Shout It Out Loud’, which is… the same thing as ‘Flaming Youth’ as a Wikihow article. One of the lines actually advises you to tell people saying that your parties are too loud that they’re ‘too old to understand’. I guess being a douche who doesn’t care about other people’s lives and not thinking about anyone but yourself fades away after 30 or so, unfortunately. ‘Beth’ is actually about framing the bros before hoes mentality sadly to your girlfriend, promising that he’ll be there in a few hours when she says he’s never home. It ends with him saying they’re playing all night. Lying, much? ‘Do You Love Me’ is fine. It doesn’t suck, but it’s not earning this shitload any points. The album closer is ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Party’. It’s just fanfare, but I guess that’s better than another song. Thank god this is short.
Disappointingly soft.
hells yes!
first track was awesome
... I mean, it's KISS. It's... fine
This album is very good
I like "Beth" probably because it doesn't sound like Kiss. I never took them seriously. They always felt like a gimmick with the face paint and the loud and mediocre instrumentation, not to mention the sub par vocals. Just a silly show.
Holy shit KISS is a fucking awful band. Their music is generic and bland. None of them can fucking sing for shit. Completely forgettable music. Plus they are huge sellouts and have branded their name on every piece of garbage they could think of. I can't believe there was ever any controversy with this shitty band. Fuck off KISS, you're terrible and irrelevant.
Corny lyrics, annoying voice but kiss still manage to pump out some decent songs though. Band had good energy and fun style of playing but there is only so much of that you can do before it gets boring and bored I got. Struggled to pay attention in the second half, I could probably do with another listen though because I really wasn’t paying attention. 3.5/5 (Cover is a 4/5)
I enjoyed the rock part- I did really miss it given what we’ve had. The songs got a little repetitive but it didn’t bother me that much. It was classic.
The last time I listened to this album I was in 4th grade and absolutely terrified of Gene Simmons. This isn't the most cerebral of bands ... and in retrospect i can't decide if it's hilarious or maximum creepy that this gross band straight-up marketed themselves to little kids - which obviously completely worked (on me as well). ...but leading off with "Detroit Rock City" is a pretty great opening track. Classic riff - basic rock that's just fun - I'll sign up for that. Yet after that it's ... plodding and dumb. SO. DUMB. Some of it is ok but ho-lee-hell a big shout out to "Great Expectations" which absolutely has to be one of the worst songs ever recorded. Ever. Words can't do it justice, and the orchestra ... honestly. I have to remember this as an entry when the question is asked. Nostalgia does make it occasionally enjoyable, notably (only?) on the singles (e.g. "Beth" - it's terrible but ... is it though? It makes me want to pack my lunch box.) but as a full album if I'm in the mood for 70s meat and potatoes rock I'm reaching for something else. 4/10 2 stars.
Realized that I disliked KISS fans more than KISS. The album was decent.
Underwhelming. I was expecting big rock noise, but this sounds weedy and malnourished. The writing is terrible and the riffs just don't land as they should.
Meh. Just not a Kiss fan. While Detroit Rock City is a catchy song, this album as a whole isn't what I would throw on. 2/5
Moronic
Good
Not Behd
This incited next to zero emotion in me. It’s super bland and generic and forgettable. I think the closing song encompasses the whole album where afterwards you just don’t even feel like you listened to an album and have no concrete memory of any tune. Also that one Great Expectations song is creepy as hell. 3/10
Heavy metal ñoño. Para mí no llega a ser heavy metal. Se aproxima más a baladas pop. Un 3.
Bien. Más escuchable de lo que pensaba.
blech
Honestly, I have nothing to complain about—they have a good sound, and it surprised me. The issue is that in the very unlikely chance I only listened to it half-heartedly because I was on RT-2 on a Thursday at 4pm the day after I get my wisdom teeth removed…I won’t reallyyyyy be itching to listen to it again. Do remember though that heavy metal is not really my genre.
Let's get one thing straight. No it's not a fantastically made conceptual album. It won't wow you with its instrumentation. It's not very inventive in general. But I'll be gosh darned if I don't give the only Kiss album on this list of 1001 albums the respect it deserves. Part of the draw to this album was the show that the band put on with the music. They were crazy characters who were good at making music and their hits are legendary. The group puts Detroit Rock City and Beth on the same album, come on, they are so different and both insanely good. They are versatile and I feel like they are a bit disrespected because of their personas. I'm fighting to give Kiss the respect they deserve on the Global reviews - I urge you all to join me.
The variety of sound is a definite plus for this genre, so I was tempted to give it a 4, but I don’t think I can. A very strong 3. An addicting album that pleasantly surprised me. It’s a 4 at heart, but a 3 on paper.
Totally dog shit rock ‘n’ roll. This is the first time I’ve tried listening to KISS, outside of the occasional song I’ve heard through cultural osmosis. I’ve heard Detroit Rock City more times than I’ve cared to, and it has gotten no better on this play through, and every song after it feels like a worse version of it. Then there are the ballads, which are full of cheese and not in an endearing way. I have zero nostalgia for this band beyond their 90s resurgence where they began showing up on lunch boxes and Saturday morning cartoons, so they always felt like a joke to me. I guess if I was a high school jock in the 70s I’d probably love this, but now it feels like something a high school would use as the basis for some shitty original musical they’d put on. I suppose that’s not too far off from what they aimed for.
Sikke et kedeligt røvballealbum.
- sorry kiss, I just don’t care
First time listening. Serviceable hard rock. But, I have a take... KISS is a pre-boy band. Think about it, it's all there. You see it in the individual personalities of the members, the constant merchandising, the obsession with image over music, all of the band provides vocal contributions, it fits perfectly. Except that it's not marketed towards preteen and teenage girls, it's marketed to dudes of my father's generation (and maybe even before that). On this record is particular, no individual member's musicianship overshadows the other. "Detroit Rock City" is fun, but the album doesn't really retain that intensity much at all afterwards. They remain a singles band to me. Maybe some other time.
That was the dorkiest 37 minutes of rock ever recorded. Kind of endearing, but still, why
Never listened to kiss and was surprised how upbeat their music is. I think every single song was just generally about Rock and Roll music. I think it’s cute how much they love it. Overall an adorable little album 2.5/5
Not gonna lie… Detroit Rock City is actually pretty great. The rest of the album… definitely not.
So good. A classic all around. Shout it out loud and Detroit rock city stand out but it's all enjoyable
Beth
Well, I always thought I vaguely liked Kiss and their weird mesh of genres, but apparently those songs I do like are flukes, because this was pretty bad. The album started pretty good with the first song, but past that it was generic and boring. It's a shame, because considering Kiss is usually seen as glam rock, I bet this will drag my score down for that sub-genre, which I figured would be my favorite by the end of this.
Maybe not the best album but more "roching" than recent other ones so a generous 4*
Sits somewhere between a 3-4. Some classics for sure... but also some skips.
el audio es chotísimo. No me gustaron los temas tampoco, solo Detroit Rock City zafa. Me debía escuchar un album entero de Kiss para confirmar que me parecen una poronga.
Olvidable IMO.
Meh. Maybe I had a headache. It was ok but I’m definitely not a KISS Army recruit.
Meh
I....HATE....KISS
I'm sure not a popular opinion, not a huge fan. Like Beth though
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! God of Thunder, Great Expectations, and Beth were favorites.
Kids In Satans Service? Det är ju underhållande i alla fall.
Stämsolofest! Det är konstigt att man inte snubblade på KIZZ när man var liten. Jag hade nog fallit för det 1978.
Fun 70's dad rock, solid songwriting, great bluesy guitar solos, and more hits than I would have expected on any one Kiss record. I am only familiar with the radio hits.
very baffling, managed to disappoint me even when I had negligible expectations. grating vocals, nonsensical lyrics and a forgettable music in the background - all combine to form a lethal cocktail of mediocrity.
Not my cup of tea, but I’ll give a little since I’m a bit of a sucker for theatrical rock and an anthem. Had a few moments, but all in all the whole vibe felt shallow and a bit cringy.
Oof, not a fan.
Wow, I had no idea how much power of their songs are sapped by the studio. I’m familiar with (and like!) live versions of Detroit Rock City and Beth, and it’s almost criminal how mundane they sound here. I checked out the reimagined “Resurrected” version of this album and it was a huge improvement.
I was kind of dreading listening to this for some reason... It was actually a really fun listen. It's quite a sexy album isn't it? I also find it walks that fine line well between the humour of heavy metal and still being remotely cool. Unless that's just my interpretation I don't know. I can't exactly figure out what I think about it but I kind of enjoyed it in a light hearted way. Pretty inoffensive and classic, not too cringe but a good dose of cringe for good measure. Then Beth is a cute heart-felt song which was unexpected. Good 70s vibes. Overall I get kindof rock opera theatrical vibes too which is fun! I basically had no preconceptions or ideas about Kiss before listening to this so it's a pure reaction. OH and it really reminded me of playing endless hours of guitar hero with my brother as a tween which is fun! That style of guitar and drums together is quite fun.
I'm not sure I've actually heard a lot kiss songs despite them obviously being very well known. First of all love tha album cover and the amazing outfits. I dig it. The album itself almost wasn't what I was expecting. I expected something a bit more glam. It was quite classic rock I thought. It didn't blow me away. It was fine. Some funny weird song topics too
Didn't mind this at all, wasn't the most mind blowing thing but good fun
I don’t get KISS. Despite a few catchy choruses, this album has nothing memorable. Some of the most horrrendous lyrics I’ve ever heard.
So cheesy. Would rather listen to literally any other hard rock. But, gotta respect.
This album has one or two decent songs and the rest is just awful. I was embarrassed to be listening to this even with headphones on. Kiss is basically the hard rock equivalent of the Monkees: not the first, not the best, not original, just a show band.
1/18/23: I like the idea of some of these tunes blasting at a Dive Bar but it didn't really hit for me through headphones at 8AM while trying to get ready for work. Some very cringe lyrics, really stunning that KISS is one of the top-selling bands of all time. Just doesn't seem THAT mainstream to me but I guess they're not that far removed from the grandiosity and theatrics of Queen.
It appears that the best thing about KISS is grandma dressing up as Gene Simmons from KISS to cheer up Happy Gilmore. Beyond basic.
Confirmou a impressão do estabelecimento do Kiss como fundamental para a definição do hard rock americano. Flui bem a combinação dos hits pesados com a balada Beth.
Yeah sorry I can't stand this : / "Great Expectations" was just *shudders*
I like some of their bigger, bombastic hits, but a lot of this isn't hitting for me. It's alright. I was quite surprised at some of the slower, piano-based songs, so at least there's that. 2.5 / 5
Detroit Rock City is fantastic. Couldn’t stick with the rest of the album though.
Kiss blows. Only ever knew the one Kiss song on Guitar Hero 3 (Rock and roll all nite), but I didn't realize EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR SONGS is about the same things as rock and roll all nite (wearing leather, playing rock and roll, partying, and making love). Thank God their final tour ever ended last month so no one ever has to be subject to this crap in person again.
kiss is actually resident sleeper. i did not enjoy the album
Not awful.
Only rarely gets above mediocre
Great rock album
Er sminken det eneste dette bandet er kjent for? Bra musikk lager de iallfall ikke
While Gene Simmons could be on the Mt Rushmore of musician douchebags, I honestly don't hate Kiss's music. Perhaps because I grew up in the 70's and they were huge, I mean huge.. Kiss Alive is really the one album to listen to, since it's close to a greatest hits. Kiss doesn't have single album that good enough to listen straight through. 2.5 stars
Mostly filler, no killer. The 3 hits are the 3 “decent” rock songs here. Kiss was more of an “act” than a band.
It's like watching a parody that takes itself too seriously. Is the joke that Kiss doesn't know they are a joke band?
After listening to this album, all I can say is, wow, I don't care about KISS at all. At least not this album. I was actually surprised by how little I knew this album, always assuming that I knew more KISS than I do. Completely forgettable album. That said, I wouldn't turn it off, either. Perfectly fine to listen to in the car and not pay attention to it.
Detroit rock is the song the band is known for but the rest of the album is mid
Meh
Come dice la 4 avevo 'Great Expectations' invece non mi piace molto... Bella 'Shout it out loud', ma in generale è un album medio
Um Himmels Willen, ist das scheiße! In weniger als 5 Minuten durchgeskippt. Musik, die keiner braucht, von einer Band, die keiner braucht. Kann und sollte man sich schämen für.
These songs all sounded the same and I didn’t recognize one of them. Having said that, I do like Kiss’ sound and their lyrics make me laugh so I’d come back to this one!
Not my thing AT ALL! Never has been, never will. Bombastic, bollocky, bollox. Krappy and Krummy Kobblers.
Juvenile teenage wank rock - but not entirely terrible
Nooit de moeite genomen om echt naar Kiss te luisteren behalve 'I was made for loving you' natuurlijk, maar dit was best aardig eigenlijk.
Wel grappig voor een keer
Rock and Roll!
Pretty good album, but I feel like KISS gets overrated a lot
7/10 pretty good idk but bro wtf was Beth lmao the song sounded so stupid coming from a band/album like this so I looked up to see if these guys made a music video and I’m so glad they did because it’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen haha yeah idk, again it’s pretty good but those slow songs are really cringe
Destroyer is the fourth album by American hard rock band KISS. After the band's breakthrough third album "Alive!", this top 20 charting album quickly became KISS's first platinum one (double platinum). This heavy art rock album may have been the band's most experimental, but this didn't make it any less good. It will appeal to some and turn others off. However, for me it was a fun album to listen to as I enjoyed listening to some more songs from the classic hard rock band KISS.
Thought that this was a great album with two big hits in "Detroit Rock City" and "Shout It Out Loud". 7/10.
For me this blends into classic rock, good but not standout
I like Kiss just fine, never a big fan. This had a few good ones though.
It's good fun It didn't blow my socks off.
I really don't enjoy listened to Kiss. It's not the worst garbage ever, except for 'Great Expectations' which is horrible.
Whoever told Kiss that it would be fun if "Detroit Rock City" opened the album with a minute and a half of car sounds and radio noise need to be fired. It's especially a shame since it's actually quite a powerful opening song. While I'm initially intrigued by "God of Thunder" Simmons' vocals doesn't do anything for me and follow-up with "Great Expectations" is simply dreadful. I can sense what the hype is about on Destroyer with songs like "Detroit Rock City" and the anthem "Shout It Out Loud". But even after seeing the band live I simply have to admit that Kiss just isn't for me. Fun side note. "Beth" is Kiss' biggest commercial hit in the States. Boy, would I've liked to the fly on the wall to experience the disappointment in the face of whoever bought this album expecting more orchestral ballads.
I’ve always felt like Kiss sounds like they are just a Kiss cover band. Never been a fan.
Yeah that sure is KISS
Liked it more than I thought I would, but still nothing amazing. I wouldn't return to it, but I'll likely continue to sing along to the singles. 3/5
Van Halen and KISS back to back? I feel like some people won’t like that. I don’t mind, though. even though I came of age around the time of nu metal, my hard and heavy discoveries were better fits for VH1 Classic than TRL. I’d still pick Destroyer over Follow the Leader any day. Although this is far from a perfect album. KISS just weren’t as strong songwriters or musicians as Aerosmith or AC/DC, which explains why they’re better remembered for their theatrics than their catalogue. But most of these songs are still pretty good and they’re all solid performers, although I do think it’s funny that Ace, who’s generally considered the best artist of the group, had the weakest tracks here. Honestly, I think Peter wins this time, since I groove to “Beth”’s cheesy sincerity. I’d take it on the radio over another damn Foreigner song any day. B
I don't like Kiss, but at least Detroit Rock City is a great song. Why are there so many random-ass sounds over the music on this album? The better songs on this album are still mostly kinda boring. Part of this is probably hindsight of the ages, I am sure this was a wild party rocking album in its day, but to my modern ears it sounds pretty easy-going and light.
There are a few decent songs on this album, but the rest are...like a bunch of songwriters attempted to write rock songs for a rock & roll musical but failed miserably. Just...bad. It's hard to take this seriously as real music and not a joke. The Monkees were a fake band with much, much better music than this "real" band.
I didn’t realize this album was so short. Detroit Rock City was best song but that’s not great since it was the first song
Well not as anthemic as I expected - although it was more so with every listen - but still an overall fun album. Lyrically it’s a desert - a 70s teenage boy’s fantasy that by 21st century standard is comically unrealistic (OR straight on veiled misogyny and tales of sexual harassment…) but hey it was a different dumber time. I mean - Detroit had some clout as a city back then still.
I always thought of them as a parody band. it's so strange to think of them causing an actual moral panic. The music is fine, middle of the road rock, really nothing to write home about. 2.6
Pretty solid album. Found out about 'Beth' this time around
This is pretty much exactly what I expected. Unfortunately.
Only like 2 songs that I liked :/
It’s KISS
As a former citizen of Detroit Rock City, I have to give it up for the boys in make up. Beth is such a classic, too
I don't care for Kiss
Possibly one of the worst albums I've heard by one of the worst bands. Commercial "hard" rock by the numbers, sold by the bucketload, lapped up by sad losers chanting "THEY CAN'T CHANGE WHO I AM!". Whatever, Gene. Whatever.
KISS & makeup.
oxygen destoroyah
Kiss was my first concert. Mind you it was the makeup-less era (1990, Hot in the Shade Tour), but it was a religious experience for me nonetheless. There was a giant talking friggin' sphynx. I mean, come on... during "God of Thunder" the damn sphynx spoke ("I am the lord of the wasteland...")! Kiss was my childhood. Looking back today, with my oh so much more sophisticated tastes, I laugh at the juvenility of most of their stuff, but damn was it fun when I was 13. This album is probably the best studio offering from their heyday. They wouldn't sound this good on record until Creatures of the Night in 1982. But on Destroyer, Bob Ezrin has them sounding like actual musicians and not just a bunch of meatheads in mime makeup from NYC trying to gimmick their way to a buck. Lightning, meet bottle.
74/100: Good album, but nothing more than that. In fact, it’s only “good” because it has two fantastic songs on it—“Detroit Rock City” and “Beth.” The rest of this album is a lot of gain and loud power chords. No real precision in refinement of sound here. I guess what else do you expect from hard rock?
Should you listen to a Kiss album before you die? Yeah, probably. They are one of the most well known bands in the history of rock music after all. I don't know if this is the one though, and it turns out they're really not that good. Everything about them feels corporate and manufactured but it still does occasionally result in a compelling moment or two.
Just a fun rock'n'roll album. Best track - "God of Thunder". Plus a star for the fourth wall breaks.
I hate Kiss but this is catchy and not terrible. Just a bit boring
Apart from a couple songs this is pretty forgettable
Fun album
Mwahhh, feels a bit like Spinal Tap
If I'd been organised I'd probably have put in to photo their Gold Coast show this coming weekend but I was also thinking about the last Violent Soho show (which I'm not gonna get to either - it might have to be Mark of Cain if I get around to it. But wanting to see Kiss was about photographing the spectacular of the show and the LOLs. They're terrible, as evident on this album. I saw them once at Donington in 1988 in their no make up period and they were also terrible. This time of year when it's my busiest period, I always go through a massive Alice Cooper back catalogue phase to help the report writing. (currently up to 1983's DaDa, one of my favourites, from his blackout period that he has no memory of making, weird as fuck, lots of Fairlight strangeness and drum machines going on). This sounds like really bad Alice Cooper. Makes sense as they got Bob Ezrin in to produce and also Dick Wagner to play some guitar. But the songs are just awful, as are the vocals, especially the Gene Simmons shouty songs . The original Alice Cooper band albums from the early 70s are sooooo much better than this. How and why Kiss ever became popular and made a 50 year career of it is one of music's greatest mysteries.
Bloody hell.
De va semi chill
I like the drums :)
Fattar ej
This was fun! 70s hard-rock/metal continues winning! Kiss is such good dad rock, people were pearl-clutching about this eXtreme rock & roll from these guys, and nowadays the band members are super old, as naturally happens to people. History tells us that indeed Kiss was far from the worst influence on the teens of the time
The middle of the album was especially rough and tacky. I would not voluntarily listen to "Great Expectations" again. The rest of it wasn't too bad. This kind of music isn't necessarily the music you put on when you want to think deeply, and that's okay.
The original butt rock.
It's hard to not to picture the visuals associated with KISS while listening to this. And, honestly, to do so really removes a lot of the appeal for me. Without the associated spectacle, the music just feels a bit "meh"... even though there are several KISS classics on this album.
Not amazing, but good rock
I'm the king of the midnight world and you're my headlight queen. I've never listened to this whole album. And I may never again, but there are so many great tunes on it!
Though destroyer, shout it out loud and beth and recognizable, most of the album comes across as simple rock and dumb lyrics... it seems there was a lower threshold for rock success in the 70's.
Its short and has Detroit Rock City and Shut it out on it....thats pretty much all I can say that's positive. Also Gene Simmons gives me nightmares 2 stars
Kiss sucks. "Shout It Out Loud" is a great track though. Kiss fans are like AC/DC fans – I know they exist, but I don't know anyone personally who just puts these albums on.
This is pretty tame---people thought they were wild satanists?
Of course I have heard of KISS before, and I knew Beth and God gave Rock 'N' Roll To You, but this is the first full KISS album I've listened to, and to be honest I am underwhelmed. Music and songs are alright, as far as 70s (glam) rock goes, but I guess I was expecting something a little more special. But this isn't. It's OK, it's solid, but that's about it. For KISS, the packaging obviously was as important (if not more) as the music. 2.5/5
A very entertaining album. Unexpected to have known only 2 songs on it. One of which was by Beethoven (7/10). FT: Beth
Fine. I'm giving this one all the stars just because it was fun, sounded amazing on Atmos, and it's Friday.
Was looking forward to this but not impressed
Had been expecting one of these to turn up. But was looking forward to better. Not v good
Cheesy ok rock
bengr
I listened to this album and liked the first two songs. Would probably be more fun to listen to on a road trip with my dad. Listening to it without that additional stimuli, I’m wanting to give it a 3. I understand why people like them and this, but it’s doesn’t seem like it would be super sustainable in my listening lists. Totally love Detroit Rock City, and that’s what’s keeping this from being a 2.
Ça manque de glam
Destroyer j'irais pas jusque là quand même
Never my favorite band, but decent songs and a lot of energy. Detroit Rock City is great, everything else is decent.
KISS is a totally fine rock band. This is there best display in my opinion. They’re always more of a singles band rather then having consistently good albums.
Good KISS album. Incredible, Bob Ezrin participated in the writing of all songs. The inclusion of some arrangements for New York philarmonic orchestra makes this album even better
No, I still don’t see the Kiss appeal. Just a couple or four songs made it big here in the UK. Not very well produced LP, noises and production games just don’t work early on side 1.
2/5 meeeh
Good album from high school days
These four demons of the day probably felt like Satan reborn to the general pearl clutching public but their music is relatively tame not just compared to today, but to some of their peers. Their bark was worse than their bite. But that doesn't mean the music is bad, this is classic American rock. Detroit Rock City and God of Thunder were my favs, Shout it Out Loud was good too. They were established by this point so I bet people went crazy over this album. Look at Gene's insane shoes!
I don't know if I was expecting KISS to be on the list, but I like that they are! They're a band that always fascinated me; when I was first getting into classic rock and guitar stuff, I made a point of learning each of the band members' names and "characters," which is kind of cute in hindsight. Alex made a great point in his review that KISS is kind of tame for a hard rock/classic rock band. Sure, they have these personas and the facepaint makes them seem evil or salacious or whatever, but the music is very simple. Of course, they do have some saucier songs out there, but this album feels like a white bread classic rock entry. A couple of hits that I liked, but didn't leave a serious impression. I'll look forward to another album from them with more edge. Favorite tracks: Detroit Rock City, God of Thunder, Do You Love Me. Album art: This is where they shine, they really had the aesthetic nailed down. Love the art style, love their band name font/logo, and the costumes and stuff are legendary. To prove I've still got it, from left to right is Paul Stanley the Starman, Peter Criss the Catman, Ace Frehley (forgot his identity - Space Man?), and Gene Simmons the....Demon maybe? I'm a little rusty. 3/5
I was disappointed. Expected more but didn't enjoy most of these songs.
As this someone who can't stand Gene Simmons, I have never listened to a KISS album. I went in with an open mind and this wasn't terrible. They're actually pretty cheesy and remind me of Meatloaf
Detroit Rock City is a great opener, and probably Kiss' best song Shout It Out Loud is fun if pretty cheesy The rest of the album kind of sucks
Detroit Rock City and Shout it Out Loud are absolute classic hard rock anthems. But some of the deeper cuts are soooo bad with some of the most banal lyrics the 70s had to offer; case in point Great Expectations...wow! Truly bad! The outlier here is Beth a very nice ballad with some actual genuine emotion. Overall a solid 3.5 🌟