Between 2002-2008, The record labels in control of the Kiss Catalog released not one, not two, heck not even 3 Greatest Hit Compilations. Nope. They released a total of 7 greatest hits compilations spread over those years. I am sure there are more, I just haven’t found them yet. Over the last few weeks, we have been through a bunch of them and hopefully this is the last one for a little while. At least until I find more…which I will. As far as compilations go, this one is worth taking notice. Let me explain.

Originally this was released in 2004 as part of the KISS Sound and Vision box set. This set was released on January 11, 2005 and is a 2 CD Set called ‘Gold’. The label for this one was Universal Music Corporation. This set covers the make-up years from 1974 up to 1982…except it doesn’t include anything from ‘Creatures of the Night’. The 1982 in reference here is for the ‘Killers’ compilation. There are 20 songs per disc which means we get a handful of releases from almost every album with some minor exceptions. There is at least one from every release though (except maybe Double Platinum. If you want a comp that gives you the best coverage of the make-up era, I don’t know if you can do better than this.

DISC 1:

Kiss (1974): The representation of the debut album is strong as it gives you five tracks:

The album kicks off with the song “Strutter”.  The song was written by both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and over the years, this would be a rare experience as they would wind up writing songs by themselves.  The music of the song was based off an old Gene song called “Stanley the Parrot” which was recorded even before there was a Wicked Lester. 

The first single off the debut was “Nothin’ to Lose” which was written by Gene Simmons.  It is also the first song to feature a non-Kiss member on an instrument.  This would be commonplace later.  That person was Bruce Foster who played piano on the track.  This is a cool song for the fact that Gene and Peter share the vocals. 

Firehouse” was written by Paul way back in High School and he does the lead vocals as well with Gene accompanying on the chorus.  At the end of the song is the roar of the siren which was played by Warren Dewey and you can’t have this song without the siren.

“Deuce” was written and sung by Gene and he doesn’t even know what the song actually means.  He just thought it sounded good…and he was right.  The opening line, “Get Up and get your Grandma out of here” is the best opening line.  This is one of those songs that live sounds so much cooler and has more grit, but this is still awesome.

“Black Diamond”.  The song was written by Paul and he does sing on it, but is mostly sung by Peter.  The songs starts off with a 12-string acoustic guitar and Paul sings the opening line and when he screams “Hit It!”, the song turns in to a blistering rock song with Peter taking over vocals. The song was written about New York and those ladies working on the street that they would fantasize about.

‘HOTTER THAN HELL’ (1974): The second album gets 3 songs to represent it.

“Got To Choose” which was written and sung by Paul Stanley.  The guitar riff was something Paul took from the Wilson Pickett song ‘Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won’t Do)’ and Ace hit on a nice solo.

“Parasite” was solely written by Ace, but he still didn’t have the confidence to sing so Gene is on vocals for this one. That opening guitar riff is so freaking awesome.  This is one of those songs that feels like Gene and the Demon personae. 

“Hotter Than Hell”  was written by Paul and another song he stole from somewhere else.  This one is basically a re-write of the Free song “All Right Now” and you can hear that Free influence in it.  The song is about picking up a woman in a bar and having your way and it turns out she’s married which burns you like the midday sun.

‘DRESSED TO KILL’ (1975): The band’s third album gets three songs as well including one I probably wouldn’t have picked.

 First up is a classic Paul Stanley song called “C’mon and Love Me”.  This song also gives Paul his first solo on a Kiss song and it is worth noting as it is simply wonderful. 

“She” is a former Wicked Lester songs and was written by Gene Simmons and his friend Stephen Coronel. The groove was still there from that original version, but the song was much heavier and Ace takes it up a notch with the guitar.  

The song I probably wouldn’t have picked is the atrocious “Anything for My Baby”.  The horrible vocals on the opening to the overall lame feel of the entire song.  Pure filler as they must have been out of song ideas to throw this one in.  It also has this 50’s/60’s vibe that doesn’t work at all. I might have gone with “Getaway”.

‘ALIVE!’ (1975): Even the live albums get picks and this one has 4 live songs.

“Rock Bottom” opens Side Four of the vinyl of the album. It has some cool crowd sound and starts up with Ace playing the guitar instrumental part before the full band joins in and slams it home. 

The biggest highlight off ‘Alive!’ for me, “Cold Gin”.  It solidified Ace as my guitar hero back in the 70’s and I was only about 8 when this came out, but he was king for me.  His playing was purely sensational.

Then we get to the song that started it all for the band.  The start to superstardom was because of “Rock And Roll All Nite”.  This is now their signature song and it is easy to see why.  It is a pure rock anthem like no other.

They ended the show with another of their many anthems, “Let Me Go, Rock ‘n Roll” which isn’t too shabby of an anthem either stacked up against “Rock And Roll All Nite’.

‘DESTROYER’ (1976): One of their biggest albums gets 5 song choices like the debut received and I am fine with that decision.

“Detroit Rock City” was so different than anything they had done prior, musically and lyrically.  They took a chance shaking things up a bit and it worked.  The song does mention Detroit, but is really about a young fan that is killed why he was on his way to a Kiss concert.  The story is based off an actual event that occurred outside a Kiss concert in Charlotte where a fan was hit by a car and killed outside the arena.  Knowing it is based a real life event adds a little extra to the impact of the song.

“King of the Night Time World” is up next and did you know this song was a cover? I didn’t.  It was actually written by Kim Fowley and performed by his band the Hollywood Stars in 1974, just under 2 years earlier.  The Kiss version had some major changes done to it so Paul Stanley and Bob Ezrin have been added as songwriters.

“Shout It Out Loud” was the first single off the album trying to capitalize off the success of the live version of “Rock and Roll All Nite” that was released previously.  The title of the song comes from the Hollies song “We Want to Shout It Out Loud” which Wicked Lester demoed years earlier. The song is sung by both Paul and Gene  and that chorus of “Shout it, Shout it, Shout It Out Loud” is pure rock gold.

“Beth” is their biggest single and it went all the way to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was sung by Peter Criss.  The song was one Peter had written prior to Kiss and written with guitarist Stan Penridge.  The song is a ballad and played on piano with full backing orchestration by the New York Philharmonic. 

Finally to finish off the first disc we get “Do You Love Me” which was written by Paul Stanley.  A mid-tempo rock song that is less about sex and more about if the girl really loves him for who he is and not for the rock star and all those fancy rock star trappings.  An honest question when every musician has to ask when they start hitting it big.

DISC 2:

‘ROCK & ROLL OVER’ (1976): For this gem of an album, we get three tracks and all top notch.

 “I Want You” was written by Paul while the band was on tour in England.  He was standing on stage at a soundcheck and the song just came to him. It opens deceptively with an acoustic guitar and Paul singing softly before it explodes in to a straight ahead rocker. And what is even better is that it has 2 guitar solos. First one is Paul and the second one is Ace. 

“Calling Dr. Love” stems from a Gene song called “Bad Bad Lovin’” which you can hear in many forms on Gene Simmons ‘The Vault’. Interesting to note, on the backing vocals, you can hear Katy Sagal from Married With Children and Sons of Anarchy.  Of course she wasn’t famous at this point.

“Hard Luck Woman” was written by Paul and he had written so Rod Stewart could sing and when listening to the track, I could hear Rod singing this.  Paul was talked in to giving it to Peter and although the song did do as well as “Beth”, it still gave the band another Top 20 hit. 

‘LOVE GUN’ (1977): This is a personal favorite of mine and I guess they agree because this one gets four tracks.

“I Stole Your Love” was written by Paul which he used the same formula he did for “Makin’ Love” and you can kind of hear it.  There are two guitar solos on this one with the first one being Paul and the second one is Ace Frehley.

“Love Gun” is up next and Paul has stated that the song was inspired by “The Hunter” by Booker T. & the MG’s but I believe performed by Albert King.  The song does mention a “love gun”.  That barrage of drum hits by Peter are so recognizable that the second you hear you know it is “Love Gun”.

The first single off “Love Gun” was “Christine Sixteen”. There is a cool piano riff in the song which was done by Eddie Kramer. A fun fact about the song, the demo was done with Gene and two unknown artist at the time by the name of Eddie and Alex Van Halen. 

Ace is finally on lead vocals with “Shock Me” and might be my favorite Ace song.  The song is based off an incident that is well documented where Ace touched an ungrounded metal railing and had the life shocked out of him.  No, he didn’t die, but he was thrown back a little.  He continued the show with no feeling in his hand and I believe the show was December 12, 1976, at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, Florida.

‘ALIVE II’ (1977): Another live album but this one only gets 2 tracks off it.

The standout for me on that album was “Makin’ Love”. I thought the guitar on it sounded really cool and Peter’s drum roll at the end was awesome.  The tempo was a lot faster as the band seemed to be playing with a sense of urgency. 

Gene demons up with his signature song “God of Thunder” (written by Paul) and he is in rare form.  He comes across as evil as ever, but the highlight is Peter’s drum solo. Peter pretty much steals Gene’s thunder…pun intended! 

THE SOLO ALBUMS (1978): Each solo album gets 1 track a piece.

Paul Stanley – “Tonight You Belong to Me” which had a very sneaky start.  It came at you with an acoustic guitar and Paul singing so lovely and softly in what you think is a ballad before the song explodes with a killer Kiss sounding riff and heavy drums and a full band with tempo sped up and Paul’s vocals just soaring. Bob Kulick was back on guitar.

Ace Frehley – a cover song, “New York Groove”, by the band Hello and written by Russ Ballard.  This was the single off the album and became a massive hit for Ace and really became his signature song. The biggest hit of all the solo albums going to #13 on the Billboard charts.

Gene Simmons – “Radioactive” was written by Gene Simmons and was the only single from the album. It has Joe Perry (Aerosmith) on guitar, Eric Troyer (ELO) on piano, Allan Schwartzberg (Mountain) on drums and Bob Seger on backing vocals. 

Peter Criss – “Don’t You Let me Down” is the second single off the album and the only solo album to have two official singles, neither of which charted. This is pure R&B and Peter sounds soulful and cool, but the song is so laid back and soft that it is hard grasp hold.

‘DYNASTY’ (1979): This album garnered two tracks and I like them both.

“I Was Made For Lovin’ You” was written by Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia and the great Desmond Child makes his first of many appears with the band (only one on this album). The story goes that Disco was really big at the time and the record company wanted the band to be a little more commercial. Paul thought any idiot could write a disco song and a bet was made and a few hours later, the song was written and the Paul proved his point. The song went to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Sure Know Something” which Paul and Vini wrote as well. It incorporates some disco elements and was the band’s next single. It barely missed the top 40 as it clocked it at #47 on the Billboard Charts.

‘UNMASKED’ (1980): This also gets two tracks (should’ve had three with “Naked City” – my favorite from the album).

“Shandi” was a massive hit in Australia going to #5, but in the U.S. didn’t even break the Top 40 charts. Although a hit in several countries around the world, Kiss couldn’t catch a break in the U.S. The song was written by Paul Stanley and Vini Poncia and was actually inspired by “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” by Bruce Springsteen, but not his version. It was the cover version done by The Hollies.

Ace Frehley gets another song with “Talk to Me”. One of the more rocking songs from that album and one of my favorites as well. It is classic sounding Ace. Now it is toned down a little because well, Ace is constantly out-voted by Gene and Paul now that Peter is gone.

‘MUSIC FROM THE ELDER’ (1981): An album that did not do well at all, therefore, only one track from it was selected for this compilation.

The only U.S. single from the album was “A World Without Heroes”. The song was written by Paul Stanley and his demo was called “Every Little Bit of Your Heart”. When they re-worked it for the album, Lou Reed and Gene stepped in and changed up some of the lyrics and helped get it to its final version. This is a ballad, plain and simple and sung by Gene.

‘KILLERS’ (1982): A compilation with 4 new tracks and 2 of them were picked for this and the best two I might add. 

“I’m A Legend Tonight” was the band going back to their much heavier, borderline metal roots. With a heavy drum beat from Eric Carr and nasty guitar riff from Bob Kulick, it instantly lets you know that Kiss can still rock. Paul is at his vocal best with this song. It is full of swagger and pure gold. This one was written by Paul and Adam Mitchell.

 “Nowhere to Run” is all Paul and no other co-writers. I love the little drum fill at the beginning with a little acoustic intro and it built up from there. Another one with some great guitar work by Bob as he does lay down an awesome solo on this one as well. Eric’s drums are loud and powerful as he brought such a new life to the Kiss sound.

And there you have it. All 40 songs in full glory. One of the best compilations released that covers the make-up years 1974 to 1982 from the debut all the way up to ‘Killer’s. Maybe one or two tracks I’d do differently but that is personal taste. Otherwise this set is pure Gold!! Hey, maybe that is why they called it “Gold”!! Who knows, could be true. My Overall Score for this one is 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars!! Practically Perfect!

The Kiss Review Series:

1. Wicked Lester and the Progeny Demo Sessions (Bootleg)
2. Kiss – Kiss (1974)
3. Kiss – Hotter Than Hell (1974)
4. Kiss – Dressed to Kill (1975)
5. Kiss – Alive! (1975)
6. Kiss – Destroyer (1976)
7. Kiss – “Flaming Youth” 45 Promo Single – Bonus Edition (1976)
8. Kiss – “Beth” – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition (1976)
9. Kiss – Special Kiss Album For Their Summer Tour (1976)
10. Kiss – The Originals (1976)
11. Kiss – Rock & Roll Over (1976)
12. Kiss – “Calling Dr. Love” – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition (1977)
13. Kiss – Love Gun (1977)
14. Kiss – “Christine Sixteen” – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition (1977)
15. Kiss – Alive II (1977)
16. Kiss – Double Platinum (1978)
17. Kiss – Paul Stanley (1978)
18. Kiss – Gene Simmons (1978)
19. Kiss – Peter Criss (1978)
20. Kiss – Ace Frehley (1978)
21. Kiss – Best of Solo Albums (1978)
22. Kiss – Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park Movie (1978)
23. Kiss – Dynasty (1979)
24. Kiss – “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” (1979) – 12″ & 7″ Singles (Bonus Edition)
25. Kiss – Unmasked (1980)
26. Peter Criss – Out of Control (1980)
27. Kiss – Music From The Elder (1981)
28. Kiss – Killers (1982)
29. Kiss – Creatures of the Night (1982)
30. Kiss – Lick It Up (1983)
31. Kiss – Animalize (1984)
32. Wendy O. Williams – WOW (1984) (Bonus Edition)
33. Kiss – Animalize Live Uncensored (1985)
34. Kiss – Asylum (1985)
35. Kiss – “Tears Are Falling” 7″ Single (Bonus Edition) (1985)
36. Kiss – Creatures of the Night (1985 Re-Issue)
37. Vinnie Vincent Invasion – Vinnie Vincent Invasion (1986)
38. Black N’ Blue – Nasty Nasty (1986)
39. Ace Frehley – Frehley’s Comet (1987)
40. Kiss – Exposed VHS (1987)
41. Kiss – Crazy Nights (1987)
42. Kiss – “Crazy Crazy Nights” – 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
43. Kiss – “Reason To Live” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
44. Kiss – Chikara (1988)
45. Kiss – Smashes, Thrashes & Hits (1988)
46. Kiss – Hot In The Shade (1989)
47. Kiss – “God Gave Rock And Roll To You II” (1991) – 12″ Picture Disc
48. Kiss – Revenge (1992)
49. Kiss – Alive III (1993)
50. Kiss – “I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Live)” (1993) – CD Maxi Single (Bonus Edition)
51. Kiss – Konfidential VHS (1993)
52. Kiss – Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved (1994)
53. Kiss – MTV Unplugged (1996)
54. Kiss – You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996)
55. Kiss – Greatest Kiss (1997)
56. Kiss – Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
57. Kiss – Psycho Circus (1998)
58. Kiss – The Second Coming Documentary (1998)
59. Eric Carr – Rockology (1999)
60. Mark St. John – Mark St. John Project (1999)
61. Eric Singer Project – ESP (1999)
62. Bruce Kulick – Audiodog (2001)
63. Kiss – Kiss Symphony: Alive IV (2003)
64. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: The Millennium Collection (1974-1982) (2003)
65. Gene Simmons – Asshole (2004)
66. Kiss – Rock the Nation 2004 World Tour: Instant Live (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC 7/28/04) (2004)
67. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: Volume 2 – The Millennium Collection (1982-1989) (2004)
68. Kiss – Rock the Nation Live! DVD (2005)
69. Kiss – Gold (2005)
70. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: Volume 3 – The Millennium Collection (The 90’s) (2006)
71. Kiss – Alive! The Millennium Concert (2006)
72. Kiss – Kiss Alive! 1975-2000 Box Set (2006)
73. Paul Stanley – Live to Win (2006)
74. Kiss – Kissology: Volumes 1 to 3 (2006-2007)
75. Kiss – Jigoku-Retsuden (2008)
76. Kiss – Sonic Boom (2009)
77. Kiss – Monster (2012)
78. Kiss – The Casablanca Singles 1973-1982 (2012)
79. Kiss – Kiss 40 (2014) – 2 CD Set
80. Kiss – Kiss 40 (2014) – Japanese Edition
81. Kiss – Kiss Rocks Vegas (2016)
82. Kiss – Kissworld: The Best of Kiss (2017)
83. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Tokyo 2001 (2021)
84. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Live in Virginia Beach July 24, 2004 (2022)
85. Kiss – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First (2021)
86. Kiss – Destroyer: 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (2021)
87. Kiss – Destroyer: 45th Anniversary 2-LP Deluxe Edition (Colored Vinyl) (2021)
88. Kiss – Creatures of the Night: 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (2022)
89. Kiss – Creatures of the Night: 40th Anniversary 3-LP Deluxe Edition (Colored Vinyl) (2022)
90. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Poughkeepsie, NY Mid Hudson Civic Arena, November 28, 1984 (2023)
91. Kiss – Icon (2010 / 2023)
92. Kiss – Lick it Up (40th Anniversary Picture Disc) (2023)

The Bootleg Series:

1. Kiss – ‘Accept No Imitations’ (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ASYLUM TOUR)
2. Kiss – Look Wot You Dun to Me (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (CRAZY NIGHTS TOUR)
3. Kiss – The Summer of Satan: The Devils Ride Out! (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DESTROYER TOUR)
4. Kiss – Return to Capital Center (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DYNASTY TOUR)
5. Kiss – With Fire & Thunder (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (HOTTER THAN HELL TOUR)
6. Kiss – Northhampton PA March 19th, 1975 (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DRESSED TO KILL TOUR)
7. Kiss – The Hottest Show On Earth (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (THE HOTTEST SHOW ON EARTH TOUR 2010)
8. Kiss – All the Way to the Ball Room (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (Australian Tour 1995)
9. Kiss – Kiss of Thunder (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (The Rising Sun Tour 2006)
10. Kiss – Agora Ballroom 1974: The Cleveland Broadcast plus Bonus Cuts (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (THE KISS TOUR)
11. Kiss – Hotter Than Hell: Radio Broadcast 1976 (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ROCK & ROLL OVER TOUR)
12. Kiss – The Tickler (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (LICK IT UP TOUR 1983)
13. Kiss – Barbarize (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ANIMALIZE WORLD TOUR 1984 – North American Tour)
14. Kiss – They Only Come Out At Night (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ANIMALIZE WORLD TOUR 1984 – EUROPEAN TOUR)
15. Wicked Lester and the Progeny Demo Sessions (Bootleg)
16. Kiss – Black Diamond: Lafayette Music Room, Memphis, TN April 18th, 1974 – FM Broadcast
17. Kiss – End of the Road: In Allentown 2020 (PPL Center, Allentown, PA, 4th February 2020) (End of the Road Tour) – Blu-Ray
18. Kiss – ‘Monster Tour: Simpsonville 2013’ (Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, Simpsonville, C – 13th August 2013) – Blu-Ray
19. Wicked Lester – The Original Wicked Lester Sessions (Bootleg)
20. Kiss – The Ritz on Fire (August 12, 1988, The Ritz, New York City. A radio broadcast – Crazy Nights Tour)
21. Kiss – Kiss My Axe 1978: Live from the Los Angeles Forum in California, August 25, 1977 (Love Gun Tour)
22. Kiss – Gods of Thunder: The Legendary Concert Broadcast – Sao Paulo, August 27, 1994′
23. Kiss – Black Diamond: Lafayette Music Room, Memphis, TN April 18th, 1974 – FM Broadcast (Alternate Cover)
24. Kiss -Alive! in Amityville: June 1973 – (2021)
25. Kiss – Set the World On Fire: Live (10 CD Box Set – Radio Broadcasts 1974-1994)
26. Kiss – Diamonds in the Dust (2022)