On September 10, 1975 "Kiss" released its first live album "Alive!".
This double live album is often regarded as one of the greatest live albums in rock history, capturing the raw energy and charisma that the band was known for in their live performances. The album marked a turning point in "Kiss" career, solidifying their status as rock icons and igniting their rise to mainstream success.
One of the standout aspects of "Alive!" is its ability to convey the electric atmosphere of a "Kiss" concert. The band's stage presence and larger-than-life personas are brought to life on this record that was recorded across four different shows during their "Dressed to Kill" tour in Detroit, Cleveland, Wildwood, and Davenport.
The double album features live versions of songs from their first three studio albums — "Kiss" (1974), "Hotter Than Hell" (1974), and "Dressed to Kill" (1975)—capturing the explosive energy that had not been fully realized in their earlier studio recordings.
The album’s title itself pays homage to "Slade Alive!", a 1972 live album by the British glam rockers "Slade", a band that heavily influenced "Kiss". The influence is clear, as "Alive!" delivers a similarly visceral experience, merging hard rock with theatrical flair, during performances like "100,000 Years," where pyrotechnics engulfed the stage in a ring of fire, and Peter Criss’ drum kit rose above the stage during his drum solo, adding to the spectacle.
The album opens with "Deuce," a fast, gritty rocker that sets the tone for what's to come: a relentless barrage of high-energy performances. Gene Simmons' growling bass lines, Paul Stanley's powerful vocals, Ace Frehley's explosive guitar work, and Peter Criss' thunderous drumming are in top form throughout the album.
"Strutter" and "Got to Choose" showcase the band's knack for catchy, bluesy rock riffs, while the fan favorite "Cold Gin" amps up the intensity. However, the heart of the album lies in its anthemic tracks—songs like "Black Diamond" and "Rock and Roll All Nite," which became iconic live staples. The infectious energy of "Rock and Roll All Nite" is a perfect example of how "Alive!" captures "Kiss'" ability to get the crowd going.
While the album is lauded for its live authenticity, there’s been a long-standing debate over the number of studio overdubs used to clean up the performances. However, this does little to detract from the album’s overall impact, as "Alive!" still delivers a visceral and exhilarating listening experience.
"Alive!" isn't just a live album—it's a snapshot of a band on the verge of stardom, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of "Kiss" at a pivotal moment in their career. The album encapsulates their larger-than-life showmanship, and the electric atmosphere of a live rock show, earning its place as a cornerstone of rock history. Not for nothing this album was ranked No. 159 on "Rolling Stone magazine's" list of the "500 greatest albums of all time". More than that, in 2006 the album was placed at No. 26 on "Guitar World" magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time", while in 2009 the same magazine placed it at No. 3 on their list of "Top 10 Live Albums".
"Kiss" would go on and ride this album success and release 3 more albums in the series "Alive II" in 1977, "Alive III" in 1993 and "Kiss Symphony: Alive IV" in 2003.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
コメント