My favorite KISS album has always been Dressed to kill. It was one of the first albums I heard from them. It's simple and raw, but for the most part it works. Not a song on here that I don't like.
For the worst I consisdered the Elder and rightfully so because it has awful songs, but it has a couple of good ones too. "Hot in the shade" just rubs me the wrong way. Just lots and sap and everything that was wrong with limp hard rock of the time.
**What is your favorite and least favorite KISS album?
Revenge is their greatest album, Unmasked is their worst
ReplyDeleteWhoa, Revenge? Seriously? I mean it was kinda refreshing after almost a decade of crap, but it lacks the hooks and energy of any of their first six studio albums.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably lean toward Rock n Roll Over as their best, but a case can be made for Dressed to Kill just as easily and the debut, Destroyer and Love Gun aren't far behind.
I still have to stick with The Elder as the worst. They really made quite a few terrible records, but this one just always seems to stick out. Maybe I'm just jaded by seeing Gene, in makeup, with a tear rolling down his cheek in the "World Without Heroes" video.
I have to agree with you Mark that Dressed To Kill is Kiss' best album. As far as worst, I can't honestly say. Hot In The Shade has always held a special place for me. (My formative years were during the fluffy hard rock period ... )but as you say, it feels really commercial and fluffy.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the Elder, but it is by no means a Kiss album. By any other band, it would be great. Heck even as a side-project. However, it is a black mark in the Kiss discography.
As of right now, Hotter than Hell or Rock and Roll Over are my #1. Least fave would be Crazy Nights.
ReplyDeleteI always liked the Elder.
Despite the appearance of the abysmal “Great Expectations”, I’ll throw in for Destroyer as my favorite. At any given time I might change my vote to any of the first six albums. (And “Alive” trumps all studio records for my personal tastes).
ReplyDeleteIt may be impossible for me to choose a least favorite. KISS managed to release great singles through the late 80’s (and a few half-decent ones after that), but every single album – starting with “Dynasty” – has been absolutely plagued by an uneven ratio of complete duds and tape-wasters. (It doesn’t help to realize that Desmond Child did an awful lot of heavy lifting on the tracks that were actually worth listening to).