Universal Music was spitting out Kiss compilations faster than Gene and Paul were badmouthing Ace & Peter. Man, that is fast. This time around, we get a German only compilation from 2012 that was only available at the retail store Rossman. It is a 2 CD set with 30 songs and a bonus track as well. But is it really a bonus track if this is the only version released. No vinyl, no cassette, only a CD. That to me seems like it is a 2 CD set with 31 songs. Maybe it is because all the songs on here are album cuts except for this 31st song…who knows. Regardless, cool to get this one in the collection and I love that it has the German Kiss logo with the different SS’s.

The songs are mostly focused on the 70’s with a small taste of anything from the 80’s and when I say small, I mean only like 4 songs out of the 31. But there are some cool choices on here that you don’t normally see on a Kiss compilation and being 2 CDs, gives you a great taste of the band especially if you like the 70’s.

CD 1:

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.

“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.

“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.

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.

“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.

hen 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.

Then it is on to ‘Destroyer’ with 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.

“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.

From ‘Dressed to Kill’ 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. 

“Shout It Out Loud” was the first single off ‘Destroyer’ 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.

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”.

“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.

“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. 

“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. 

CD 2:

“Deuce” kicks off Disc 2 which 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.

“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.

“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. 

“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.  

“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. 

“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.

“Lick It Up” is the band’s first single and first video without make-up and the song only went to #66.  It opens with a nice little riff and a little scream from Paul.  Paul’s second song on the album and it was meant for the radio.  This is a pure 80’s, melodic rock song and no wonder it still gets played a lot.  The video was so 80’s as well.  Real cheesy and had the band in a post-apocalyptic world.  It is a little comical watching it now.  The song, however, is about a guy trying to talk his girlfriend in to doing the nasty so doesn’t really fit with the video.

“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. 

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.

The second single off ‘Hot in the Shade’ became the band’s biggest hit since “Beth” going all the way to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Paul Stanley and Michael Bolton. The Micheal Bolton who was giving us all those soulful ballads meant for old people. The song is “Forever” and features Paul and Bruce handling the acoustic guitars to open the track and Phil Ashley on keyboards. It is a power ballad and it is so sugary sweet, but I can live with it. It is also a cool moment for Eric has his playing is great as it is subtle enough yet he has a lot of little fills in it that give the song a little extra something.

Thankfully, it is time for another Ace Frehley track and we get the song “Talk to Me”. One of the more rocking songs and one of my favorites from the album. 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. However, it wasn’t toned down too much and it sounds like a Kiss song…thanks to Ace. The song was never released as a single in the U.S., but it was around the world and did so-so.

“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.

Then we get to “God Gave Rock And Roll To You II” which is a cover of the Argent song written by Russ Ballard with heavy lyric changes by Paul, Gene and Bob. The song is the first good rock anthem Kiss has done in years and the first in 10 years to have a co-lead vocals with both Gene and Paul. This was from the Bill & Ted Bogus Journey movie and soundtrack. You can read all about it in the prior post and check it out at the link at the bottom as I don’t want to repeat myself too much on this one. Great track.

And lastly is “Cold Gin” which is live from 1975 at Cabo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. This is the bonus track (or so called bonus track). It has that whole opening with Paul talking to the crowd about alcohol and it is splendid. Great guitar work as Ace sounds amazing. A blistering track and one of the great ones to have live!! And if you are curious, this isn’t a special unreleased track. Like “Rock And Roll All Nite”, it is from the ‘Alive!’ album too.

And there you have it, another of the million compilations released by Universal Music in the 2000’s. It is crazy. If you want one that has most of these tracks (but not quite all) get the Kiss ‘Gold’ release as that one is great even if it is all 70’s. The stuff from the 80’s is so small, almost not worth having on here. The cool factor here is strictly the fact that this was only released in Germany at Rossmann and the German Kiss logo. Outside of that, skippable for you non-collector fans. Still a decent compilation and My Overall Score is a 3.0 out of 5.0 Stars.

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 – The Very Best of Kiss (2002)
64. Kiss – Kiss Symphony: Alive IV (2003)
65. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: The Millennium Collection (1974-1982) (2003)
66. Gene Simmons – Asshole (2004)
67. Kiss – Rock the Nation 2004 World Tour: Instant Live (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC 7/28/04) (2004)
68. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: Volume 2 – The Millennium Collection (1982-1989) (2004)
69. Kiss – Rock the Nation Live! DVD (2005)
70. Kiss – Gold (2005)
71. Kiss – The Best of Kiss: Volume 3 – The Millennium Collection (The 90’s) (2006)
72. Kiss – Alive! The Millennium Concert (2006)
73. Kiss – Kiss Alive! 1975-2000 Box Set (2006)
74. Paul Stanley – Live to Win (2006)
75. Kiss – Kissology: Volumes 1 to 3 (2006-2007)
76. Kiss – Jigoku-Retsuden (2008)
77. Kiss – Ikons (2008)
78. Kiss – Playlist Your Way (2008)
79. Kiss – 3 CD » Playlist + Plus (2008)
80. Kiss – Sonic Boom (2009)
81. Kiss – Superstar Series: The Best of Kiss (2009)
82. Kiss – Icon 2 (2010)
83. Kiss – Monster (2012)
84. Kiss – The Casablanca Singles 1973-1982 (2012)
85. Kiss – Star Boulevard (2012)
86. Kiss – Kiss 40 (2014) – 2 CD Set
87. Kiss – Kiss 40 (2014) – Japanese Edition
88. Kiss – Kiss Rocks Vegas (2016)
89. Kiss – Kissworld: The Best of Kiss (2017)
90. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Tokyo 2001 (2021)
91. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Live in Virginia Beach July 24, 2004 (2022)
92. Kiss – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First (2021)
93. Kiss – Destroyer: 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (2021)
94. Kiss – Destroyer: 45th Anniversary 2-LP Deluxe Edition (Colored Vinyl) (2021)
95. Kiss – Creatures of the Night: 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (2022)
96. Kiss – Creatures of the Night: 40th Anniversary 3-LP Deluxe Edition (Colored Vinyl) (2022)
97. Kiss – Off the Soundboard: Poughkeepsie, NY Mid Hudson Civic Arena, November 28, 1984 (2023)
98. Kiss – Icon (2010 / 2023)
99. 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)