SOUNDTRACK: KISS-Alive III (1993).
I’m aware that there are questions about the real “live” nature of the first two Kiss Alive albums. This naturally makes me suspect the nature of the live-ness of this one as well. Not that I don’t think the songs are live, but I have to question the volume of the fans, who at times sound artificially enhanced. I’ve also read that the “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” was taken from the soundboard during soundcheck with cheers added later. If that’s true I have to give credit to Paul for being so “into it” during soundcheck.
back in the 70s, Kiss made a point for Alive II to not duplicate any songs from Alive!. Obviously Kiss are much more mercenary now than they were back then–duplication is part of their thing now. But since this is the first live album since the 70s, there’s a lot of new material to choose from. Nevertheless, this probably shows a realistic set list for the time, so there are going to be some overlap from the 70s, and that’s okay. And the band sounds quite good (this was 20 years ago it’s hard to believe).
“Creatures of the Night” is a rousing opener. It’s hard to imagine they didn’t open with “Detroit Rock City” and end with “Rock n Roll Al Nite”. “Deuce” is one of their best songs, so it’s a welcome old song. Then there’s some questionable choices. “I Just Wanna” is a bad song with a very obvious vocal line. But it came from the then current album and it’s got the “naughty” singalong section (which was apparently dubbed out to avoid a Parental Warning sticker). Despite all of the entendre in Kiss, they’ve never really been explicit, so the “I just wanna fuck” seems weird for them (especially when you know how many kids have been going to their tours recently).
“Unholy” fares much better. It’s one of their cooler new songs. Paul introduces “Heaven’s on Fire” in a fairly amusing way (and he can still ht those notes). I don’t especially like that song or “Lick it Up,” but they will always be their bigger hits, so they get played. Obviously I’m delighted to hear “Watching You” which they do very well. I dislike “domino” lyrically quite a lot and I feel like Gene’s delivery here is disinterested at best (is it possible he is as disgusted by the lyrics as I am?). But the song rocks musically. “I Was Made for Loving You” is updated and sounds far less discoey. “I Still Love You” is a great concert staple and it’s nice to have it on record.
Probably the biggest surprise on the disc is that “Rock n Roll All Nite” is not the encore (or maybe it was in concert, but it’s not last on the album. I’d be delighted to see them and have this not be the encore. I’d also be delighted if I never heard “Lick It Up” again. I don’t know why this song irks me so much, but it does. And in this live version, hearing Paul state “I wanna lick you” just creeps me out. “Forever,” cheesy ballad and all, sounds pretty great live. but “I Love It Loud” which is a great song sounds off here—too many backing vocals or something? “Detroit Roock City”sounds great of course, although it’s funny to hear it have an introduction.
The disc is pretty much over for me here because I don’t like “God Gave Rock n Roll to You II” although this version is fine. And the very end of the disc is, strangely, “The Star Spangled Banner.” It’s a whole band version (without words) but simple cannot imagine them doing it live for any reason.
So, this proves to be a pretty decent live album. Not quite up to the stellar heights of Alive! and Alive II, but a worthy addition to the series.
[READ: September 15, 2013] “The Heron”
This story begins with the statement that the best place to feed herons is in Frederiksberg Gardens because they are tame. The tone is very much like Julie Hecht–all matter of fact and somewhat indignant.
The story continues to talk about herons and the strange man who often stands on the paths that lead to the Chinese Pavilion. The narrator avoids this man by walking around to Damhus Pond (where the suitcase with the woman’s body chopped up inside of it was found). He imagines the man who found it (well, technically the dog found it) was never the same again (nor, no doubt was the dog). Despite the grisly scene (the narrator has never found anything there) he walks out of his way by the pond to avoid the herons. And the strange man. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 