Today is the 41st anniversary of KISS’ Unmasked, which is one of my favorite albums by them and that’s really saying something. Go listen to that episode on the Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast to hear how much. Here’s one of, if not my absolute favorite from the album. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Street vampires in the night. Young lovers and love at first sight. This is my flesh and my fantasy. Older women with younger men. I’ve got a feeling I’m in trouble again. But I’ve got to live my destiny.” – “Naked City” (Simmons/Castro/Poncia)
Today is the 28th anniversary of KISS ALIVE III. I got it the day it came out. I saw them two weeks or so before this was recorded, I think. I know it’s not full-on live but it still sounds great. This video was pieced together from the album. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Searching in the darkness, running from the day. Hiding from tomorrow, nothing left to say. Victims of the moment, future deep in doubt. Living in a whisper until we start to shout.” – “Creatures of the Night” (Stanley/Mitchell)
Today is the 46th anniversary of the third KISS album, Dressed To Kill. While it has at least three of some of my favorite KISS tunes, it also has some real clunkers. The album is comprised of a lot of filler tracks, including TWO holdovers from the band’s Wicked Lester days, and was put together hastily in desperation. It also is the album with the studio version of “that” song. “Rock N Roll All Nite” was the song that broke KISS to the mainstream world. Everything else was “underground” at least unknown to most. I hate that song. Really, only because it has been over played. If I go to a KISS concert, I am singing, at the top of my lungs, along with every single word. But, I hate listening to recorded versions of it. That’s why I picked one of the aforementioned a) one of my favorite KISS songs and b) a Wicked Lester leftover. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Doing well for others, she doesn’t really know. The powers are within her as she takes off her clothes. I know she’s going down, going, everybody knows she’s so good.” – “She” (Simmons/Coronel)
Yesterday was the 45th anniversary of KISS’ very important and for them, really, groundbreaking album, Destroyer. It’s nowhere near my favorite KISS album. In my initial rankings, it ended up at #14, barely making the top 15. It does have one of my favorite KISS songs, and one of my favorite Gene songs (written by Paul), which is the one I chose today. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You’ve got something about you. You’ve got something I need. Daughter of Aphrodite, hear my words and take heed! I was born on Olympus. To my father, a son. I was raised by the demons. Trained to reign as the one. God of Thunder!” – “God of Thunder” (Stanley)
This is reprinted from last year with edits made as needed.
Salutations™!!
Today is the 46th 47th anniversary of KISS. The band started in 1973 but this album came out on February 18, 1974. Only eight months older than its successor, Hotter Than Hell which was only five months before its successor, Dressed To Kill. This isn’t my top KISS album but came in at #3 on my rankings (you can read “Part I” or “Part II” of my ranking list by clicking those links). It had the lion’s share of the spots on the first Alive! album, too (7 of the 16 tracks were from this album).
This week we talk about Symphony – Alive IV on Asylum – Tales From the Devereaux Diaries Podcast and next week we talk about The Millenium Concert but the week after that, we will review this album.
Instead of looking out for some half-good cover version, I’m pulling out one of the most famous videos of this song. It was the version featured in the KISS Xposed video and is with Gene doing the blood thing. It rocks! Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, keep KISSin’! Scorp out!
— “And baby, won’t you let me? I think I’m going out of my head. I’m just about to, ooh yeah!” – “100,000 Years” (Stanley/Simmons)
Yesterday, The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records, first, then we made a stop at City Beverage who was having a tent sale for wine and such. We got to hang out with our friends the Dyers and then had lunch. We stopped at Publix and got some wine for her along with a few essentials. Then home to listen to rekkids. Here’s the haul:
Queensrÿche – Empire — This is one of my favorite albums from the 90s, which came out in 1990. Queensrÿche is one of my all-time favorite bands, at least through the album after this one. My favorite album from them (and my second fave all time) is Operation:Mindcrime but I didn’t even know anything other than “Gonna Get Close to You” from QR until this album. I didn’t know of Geoff Tate’s range, the band’s intricate progressions, anything. So, this was reissued and I had to have it. It was a bit pricey but I had to have it, nonetheless. 2xLP. New. Green vinyl.
U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind — 2×LP, Special Edition, 20th anniversary edition. The album celebrated 20 years on Friday. This was the release of that. I have never had this on vinyl and don’t know that it was even released on vinyl 20 years ago. But, here we are. This album contained “Beautiful Day,” “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” “Walk On” and more. New.
Europe – The Final Countdown — Here it is. One of the most “annoying” hair band albums of the mid-to-late-80s. And, I love it. As overplayed as the title track is, I still love it. I have always loved it and will always love it. “Carrie” is one of the best power ballads of all-time in my opinion. I was so glad to get this album. It was reissued on “clear vinyl with hint of purple” according to its hype sticker. It’s pretty. New.
Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! — #442 on the (real) RS List. “Golfball-white vinyl” LP in standard sleeve with reproduction inner sleeve. Limited edition of 4,000 copies. Their cover of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is on this. New.
Eels – Earth To Dora — A new release from one of The BCPF’s favorite “bands.” I say it that way because it’s basically Mark O Everett’s show with revolving “band” members. It’s a good listen; I enjoyed it. New.
So, I got a new album from Mipso but it’s not on Discogs yet and I have to put it in myself, I guess. When I do, or if it shows up, I’ll include it on next week’s haul.
I got three of my needed KISS collection items this week from my Kousin Marvin in Pittsburgh. These are the three:
Kiss – Alive III — recorded from the Revenge tour, the album’s “live” tracks were taken from three shows (Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis) that happened a mere 24 days after I saw the tour in Greenville, SC. It’s a beefy live album and I have always loved it. 180g, gatefold. Thanks, Marvin! New.
Kiss – MTV Unplugged — The MTV special debuted on Halloween night, 1995. I watched it at the apartment of the drummer of the new band I was part of, Bobby Richardson of Heavens Sake (although we weren’t named that yet). We knew from some internet leaks that there was going to be a reunion of sorts for this show. We watched and enjoyed it. At least I did. I will say that I think one of Paul Stanley’s greatest vocal performances of all-time came during “I Still Love You” on this program. The album itself was released on The BCPF’s 21st birthday. Thanks, Marvin! 180g. New.
Kiss – Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions — So, this was the album that KISS was working on when they did the MTV Unplugged show/album. The popularity of that show/album led to a full-blown KISS reunion with Ace and Peter and put this album on “hold.” I say hold. I think it was going to be full-on abandoned. It’s a grunge album in all its aspects. Nothing that KISS was known for, at all. Do I think it’s their greatest album? Nope. But it’s a great album for what it is. I have had to convince others or even practice what I preach on a few KISS albums and what I preach is, “don’t think of it as a KISS album. Think of it as a (fill in the genre blank) album.” Plenty of good things on this, including Bruce Kulick’s lead vocal debut. Thanks, Marvin! 180g. New.
It was a good, short haul. I almost cried during the listening of Empire and The BCPF actually used her turn to let me hear it first. We almost always start with her on Saturdays. I rewarded her with some (attempted) singing of nearly every tune on the album. Lucky her. Lucky me!!! Jonathan rearranged the store as is customary for post-RSD events. But, he wasn’t thinking about RSD Black Friday (still I think it shouldn’t happen) when he did it. He may or may not switch that before then.
But, Underdog Records is open Thursday-Saturday from 11a to 7p and Jonathan ships/delivers records Monday-Wednesday, weather permitting. Check out their website to order new vinyl 24/7. I use Discogs to track my collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “When lights go down, I see no reason for you to cry. We’ve been through this before. In every time, in every season, God knows I’ve tried. So please, don’t ask for more. Can’t you see it in my eyes? Though this might be our last goodbye.” – “Carrie” (Tempest)
Today is the 36th anniversary of Wham!’s Make It Big album and it’s hard to pass that one up, but because I talked about the death of Tony Lewis yesterday, I missed KISS’s sophomore effort, Hotter Than Hell celebrating it’s 46th anniversary. The overall mix of this album is like it’s done in a tank or a large bathroom. But, I think that adds to the charm and certainly makes it sound mean. This song is the first KISS song Heavens Sake did on stage. It’s a favorite of mine and I think it is a great opening track. You can hear me and Kousin Gary debate that on the fifth episode of Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast here. But, instead of finding some lame cover, I decided to go original, kind of. This is KISS in soundcheck and I think it’s cool to see the “behind the scenes” footage. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Lady, you know I heard the neighbors say, baby, you might be leavin’ me today. Oh yeah, someone’s come along and shared your time. Don’t care, no I don’t, no but you can’t be his and still be mine, so… Ooh, got to choose, who’s your baby?” – “Got to Choose” (Stanley)
Today is the 31st anniversary of KISS’ 15th studio album, Hot in the Shade. It rides really low on my list and if you search this blog you’ll probably find it. We talked about it on Asylum – The Tales From the Devereaux Diaries podcast. Anyway, the album had a few hits including this one, which, oddly enough ended up on five different albums in a year’s time. Bruce Kulick plays on this, I suppose. I like it. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Johnny saw her riding on a street car named Desire. His fate was sealed. She could see him coming like a hundred other liars. It was no big deal. Rosa had a lover on the shady side of town – Tito, he was king of the streets. She was his possession like a jewel on his crown. Johnny better run, better run. Better hide your heart.” – “Hide Your Heart” (Stanley/Child/Knight)
Today is the 43rd anniversary of KISS Alive II. That means it is just 3 days younger than my sister. Sorry, Sis, I guess I gave that away… Anyway, it had some of my favorite KISS songs on it and five studio tunes. This song featured Bob Kulick stepping in for Ace who couldn’t be bothered to show up or just wasn’t able because of demons (and not the Gene Simmons kind). Bob’s younger brother, Bruce, was later a full-member (well, full hired hand). Bob sadly passed away in May of this year. RIP, Bob. Enjoy this video!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Do you wanna make believe? There’s nothing up my sleeve. I’m a man as man can be as you can plainly see. Don’t wanna see no tears. Eliminate your fears. When you think you’ve seen it all, baby… You can’t believe your eyes, what you heard weren’t lies. My love is too much to hold, too much to hold. Much too much.” – “Larger Than Life”
Today is the 8th anniversary of KISS’ last (so far) album, Monster. We talked about this this on Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast last night. It’s not a bad album. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of ambition. I didn’t like it much at first, but over the last two weeks I have listened to it a lot (along with Sonic Boom) and have a new appreciation for it. This KISS tribute band does a decent job with it. The Catman looks like Peter back there. The Starchild has a hard time with the vocals but no worse than Paul does. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I rode the highway to heartache. I took a trip on the ship of fools, woah yeah! And I paid the price to have my way because money makes the rules, yeah!” – “Hell or Hallelujah” (Stanley)
