ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 365 KISS - UNPLUGGED (1996) (WITH A TWIST)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Disclaimer: All info that does not reside in my brain is gathered from wikipedia.com (mostly because Jon can't stand it) unless otherwise noted.

Bet you though I'd forgotten that Kiss is my favorite band.  I mean, it's been a long time since I featured a Kiss album in this forum.  Last time the band appeared here was August of 2014 (Hotter Than Hell was AOTW # 219). So let's end that streak right now, and even through in a twist.  Kiss Unplugged is your Album of the Week, originally hitting the street in March of 1996.  

The final product that was released on CD in the US cut out some great material, so with that being said, I give you the twist.  You see, the version that appeared on Kissology Volume III included 6 tracks that didn't appear on the original CD.  I'm giving you a player with that version on it (the tracks in red weren't on the original US CD release).  Yep, 20 of Kiss' best classic tracks and Every Time I Look At You, which is a terrible song in my humble opinion.  There's the "country" version of God of Thunder, as well as Hard Luck Woman with Paul Stanley on vocals (he wrote the song, but Peter Criss sang it originally).  

Of course, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss appear at the end, and as I'm sure you remember, this lead to a reunion of the original band, which essentially put Bruce Kulick out of a job.

I will apologize for the abrupt cut off between tracks.  I was savvy enough to rip this from the DVD, but not savvy enough to know how to seamlessly connect the tracks. So sit back and crank it, and remember, RJ is bringing you extras this week!

Tracks:

1. Comin' Home

2. Plaster Caster

3. Goin' Blind

4. Do You Love Me

5. Domino

6. Got To Choose

7. Sure Know Something

8. A World Without Heroes

9. Hard Luck Woman

10. Rock Bottom

11. See You Tonight

12. I Still Love You

13. Every Time I Look At You

14. Heaven's On Fire

15. Spit

16. C'mon And Love Me

17. God Of Thunder

18. 2,000 Man

19. Beth

20. Nothin' To Lose

21. Rock And Roll All Nite

[Jon]

You gotta be kidding me. 15 tracks is too many, but you went ahead and made it 21? No thanks.

[Scott]

I recall the anticipation of the KISS Unplugged event. It debuted on Halloween night 1995 on Mtv. I struggled with what to do... Take my kids trick or treating or watch this!! Luckily, I am a man that values hi-tech toys and gadgets. So, I drove myself to the local Kmart and picked up some blank VCR cartridges and programmed my VCR to record this event. No longer would my VCR blink 12:00! No sir-ee Bob! Because of this technical innovation I was able to fulfill all my needs that evening with a bonus! I had piles of candy to pick from while I watched it… OK, don’t tell me you didn’t just let your kids eat their candy without first going through it to advise them on what they could or couldn’t eat!! I am fine parent so I wanted my kids to be healthy, besides they didn’t need 20 snickers bars as much as I did…

Coming Home was tone setter, I was engaged from the opening riff… I dug the error-prone Domino and I think the best hidden treasure was See You Tonight. I think around this time I had become tired of the closer Rock and Roll All Nite. I get its anthemic and gets the crowd going, but its tired now, yes even in 95… and they still do it to this day, change it up a bit sheesh!!!

Other great moments, for me anyway, include Sure Know Something, 2000 Man, Do You Love Me, and Rock Bottom, not to mention the Reunion which I thought was great as well! But I couldn’t help but feel bad for Bruce, he seemed odd man out for some reason and time kinda proved that to be true.

Still this is a must have and I do own the KISSology’s as well, so I’ve heard the Japan cuts and bonus tracks as well. Its a fine slice in time and maybe even a career peek of sorts for the band as they would never capture this kind of magic in bottle again. They got two, arguably maybe even 3, chances to do it. I can think of very few other acts who can say that. Nice post boss!! Even if you did violate the number of track allowed rule…

[Yngve J. Chapleen]

I have this one and Kiss always knew how to make a great Live album (plugged or unplugged) I'm not saying this lightly since I generally despise Live recordings. They don't do much for me except annoy the heck out of my patience. Not the case here. In fact I think I prefer one or two unplugged versions over their electrified twins.

The mix and the set list are both exceptional.

[Jon]

Well, at least they played something from their greatest album EVER, so I gotta give some kudos for that, I guess.

I thought he said he would let the music do the talking yet he kept talking? What's up with that?

I actually listened to this on Friday, but had to let it completely exit my earholes before I could type something.

I don't recall any anticipation for this. Must be a Scott thing?

Overall it didn't bore me, but it did contaminate my earholes. Except for that one song.

But 21 tracks? You're going down a path you don't want to travel. There might be repercussions.

Or, there might not.

You'll just have to wait.

Maybe til next week.

Maybe it'll come when you least expect it.

You'll see. Oh, yes. YOU WILL!