Kiss – ‘3 CD » Playlist + Plus’ (2008) – Album Review (The Kiss Review Series)

 The 2000’s were a huge time for Kiss…well, for the label to release greatest hits compilations that is. There are dozens. One of the easiest ones to find is The Millennium Collection which was actually a 3 volume set with a volume released in 2003, one in 2004 and the final in 2006. 2 years after the Volume 3 set was released, Universal decided, why not repackage it and release it all in one set. Sure, why not! As a result, we get ‘3 CD » Playlist + Plus’ which was repackaged as a Double-Gatefold Cardboard set up covered in a Slipcase. It was even promoted as an environmentally friendly set (despite the plastic that wrapped around the set).

The track listing is exactly as The Millennium Collection, no changes at all. For the 3 CDs, we do get a total of 36 tracks and each disc is separate era of the band which is nice. I love the choice of pictures on the packaging with two live shots, one from Alive! and one from ‘The Millennium Concert’. And the two band pictures are pretty sweet, I even like the cover shot with the black background and the faces of the guys. Each CD is a different color and this time, not representing each band member as we get a yellow, an orange and a pink (I think).

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Kiss – ‘The Best of Kiss: Volume 3 – The Millennium Collection’ – Album Review (The Kiss Review Series)

Kiss is notorious for releasing Greatest Hits compilations and it is both the band and the label responsible for that travesty. Don’t get me wrong, they have a ton of great songs so a few greatest hits compilations are probably necessary. However, this is not one of them even though this one is a little different. On either October 10, 2006 or November 21, 2006, depending on who you believe (Wikipedia shows both dates), the label allowed a third volume in the 20th Century Masters’ Millennium Collection. They released ‘The Best of Kiss: Volume 3 – The Millennium Collection’ and what makes it a little different is that it is only compilation from Kiss that focuses only on their material from the 1990’s. It gets a point for that.

But like Volumes 1 & 2, it is only 12 songs and all are previously released so nothing new here. No remixes, single edits, just album cuts which is easier and cheaper. The look is exactly like the other comps in this set so at least they are consistent. However, the 90’s weren’t the best time for Kiss, they had 3 studio albums and a couple live albums. Not much to work with I’m afraid.

The compilation kicks off with “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 as well as from ‘Revenge’. You can get in a multitude of places.

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