Kiss (Kiss album)

1974 studio album by Kiss

Kiss

Studio album by

Kiss

Released| February 8, 1974 (1974-02-08)[1]
Recorded| November 10-16, 1973[2][3]
Studio| Bell Sound (New York City)
Genre|

* Hard rock
* glam rock[4]

Length| 35:07
Label| Casablanca
Producer|

* Kenny Kerner
* Richie Wise

Kiss chronology
|  | Kiss
(1974)  | Hotter Than Hell
(1974)

|
|

Singles from  Kiss

1. "Nothin' to Lose"
Released: February 18, 1974
2. "Kissin' Time"
Released: May 10, 1974
3. "Strutter"
Released: August 10, 1974

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [5]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal| 7/10[6]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music| [7]
Pitchfork| 8.0/10[8]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide| [9]
Spin Alternative Record Guide| 6/10[10]
Uncut| [11]

Kiss is the debut studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on February 18, 1974, by Casablanca Records. Much of the material on the album was written by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, as members of their pre-Kiss band Wicked Lester. Simmons estimated that the entire process of recording and mixing took three weeks, while co-producer Richie Wise has stated it took just 13 days.[3]

## Album information

[edit]

The album was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, which was owned by the company that owned Buddah Records. Neil Bogart was an executive at Buddah before founding Casablanca Records,[3] who held a party at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles to celebrate the West Coast release of Kiss (February 18) and to introduce the record company to the press and other record industry executives.

The original release of the album did not include "Kissin' Time". It has been on every pressing since May 10, 1974[12] There were approximately 100,000 copies of the original pressing without the song.

The album's photoshoot took place on January 31, 1974 by Joel Brodsky at his studio on 57th Street in Manhattan.[13] According to Paul Stanley, everybody except Peter Criss did their own makeup on the shoot. The makeup personnel did Criss' makeup, as Stanley described, like a "tribal lion mask".[14]

In keeping with the Casablanca theme, the party included palm trees and a Humphrey Bogart lookalike. Kiss performed their usual loud and bombastic stage show, which turned Warner Bros. Records (Casablanca's record distributor) against the group.[3] Soon after the show, Warner Bros. contacted Neil Bogart and threatened to end their deal if Kiss did not remove their makeup. With manager Bill Aucoin's backing, Kiss refused. Shortly after the album's release, Warner Bros. released Casablanca from their contract.[3]

Kiss began their first album tour with a performance at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alberta, on February 5, 1974. A few weeks later, they made their first national TV appearance on ABC's In Concert (aired March 29, 1974), performing "Nothin to Lose", "Firehouse", and "Black Diamond", followed by a performance of "Firehouse" on The Mike Douglas Show (also aired March 29, 1974). During the interview portion of the show, Gene Simmons declared himself to be "evil incarnate", eliciting nervousness, confused reactions from the studio audience, to which comedian Totie Fields humorously commented, "Wouldn't it be funny if he's just a nice Jewish boy underneath the makeup?" Although neither confirming or denying his Jewish heritage, Simmons replied, "You should only know", to which Fields countered, "I do. You can't hide the hook", referring to Simmons' nose.

The album's cover showed the group positioned against a black background in a pose visually reminiscent of the Beatles' With the Beatles album. Three of the four band members applied their own makeup for the album cover photo, as they usually did, but Criss's "Catman" makeup was applied by a professional, whose work came out looking quite a bit different from the look Criss had established, and to which he would return immediately afterward. Ace Frehley, wanting to impress the other members of Kiss, dyed his hair with silver hairspray, which easily came out with shampoo.[3] According to Criss, photographer Joel Brodsky thought Kiss were literally clowns and wanted to place balloons behind the group for the shoot.[15] Brodsky denied this, chalking it up to their imagination.[3]

## Composition

[edit]

All of the material for Kiss was written before the band entered the studio. Some of the songs were written during Wicked Lester's brief existence, while "Firehouse" was written by Paul Stanley while he was attending the High School of Music & Art in New York City.[3]

"Strutter"

"Strutter", which opens the album with a drum intro, is an uptempo rock song that was written before Frehley joined Kiss. Stanley wrote the lyrics, and the music was based on a song Simmons had written years before, "Stanley the Parrot",[3] which he had recorded with former Wicked Lester member Brooke Ostrander in a New Jersey apartment. "Strutter" remains one of the few Kiss songs where Stanley and Simmons share songwriting credits and was a standard number at Kiss concerts throughout the 1970s. It was released in August 1974 as the third and final single from the album.

"Nothin' to Lose"

"Nothin' to Lose" became the band's first single; it was written by Simmons. Verses were performed by Simmons and Stanley, with Peter Criss providing scat vocals for the chorus. It chronicles the singer coercing his girlfriend into trying anal sex, and her subsequent enjoyment of it. The B-side was "Love Theme from KISS", the album's instrumental.

"Firehouse"

Simmons performed fire breathing during this song at live concerts.

"Cold Gin"

The first song Frehley composed for the band, he was insecure in his singing ability, so turned over the vocals to Simmons. "Cold Gin" was a concert staple throughout the 1970s. Frehley assisted on lead vocals during the Alive/Worldwide Tour. The song refers to the stimulating effect that cold gin supposedly has on the male sex drive, credits the drink as the only thing keeping a couple together in a troubled relationship.

"Let Me Know"

"Let Me Know" (previously titled "Sunday Driver") was the song Stanley played when he was first introduced to Simmons, and it was later recorded by Wicked Lester. Simmons and Stanley shared lead vocal duties on the song, which was given a bridge and instrumental coda when recorded for Kiss.[3] During later Kiss concerts, this coda was moved to the end of "She" and before that, "Watchin' You".

"Kissin' Time"

"Kissin' Time" was not included on the original album; it wasn't recorded until two months after its February release. By April, the album was clearly not the commercial success that the band and Casablanca Records founder Bogart were hoping for. Bogart (who knew that a catchy single could save the album) ordered Kiss back into the studio to record "Kissin' Time", which was a Top 20 hit for Bobby Rydell in 1959. It was released as a single on May 10, but never reached any higher than No. 83. It did, however, boost sales of the album, even though it was not added to the track listing until the album was reissued in July 1974, against the band's wishes; despite this, "Kissin' Time" has appeared on almost all subsequent reissues of the album.[3]

"Deuce"

Simmons has stated that he does not know the meaning of the song's lyrics.[3] "Deuce" has been a staple of the band's concerts, opening their shows from 1973 to 1976 and again for their 1996 reunion.

"Love Theme from Kiss"

This instrumental evolved from a song titled "Acrobat", played during the band's 1973 club shows. It can be found on their 2001 box set. The song is shortened for the album. It is the only Kiss song to feature songwriting credits for all four original members. "Love Theme from Kiss" appeared in the 2010 movie Somewhere, directed by Sofia Coppola.

"100,000 Years"

"100,000 Years" begins with a bass riff by Simmons. The live version includes a long drum solo by Criss continuing from the short one found on the album, as heard on Alive! The demo version can be heard on the 2001 release of the Kiss box set.

"Black Diamond"

"Black Diamond" begins with Stanley singing the intro accompanied by a twelve-string acoustic guitar. After he yells out "hit it!", the full band kicks in and Criss assumes lead vocal duties for the two verses. After the last chorus, the song transitions to 6/8 time for Frehley's guitar solo, then ends with repeated 'A' chords as the tape is gradually slowed during mixing. After Criss departed from the band, the vocal duties fell to subsequent drummers Eric Carr and Eric Singer.

## Later re-pressings

[edit]

In the mid-late 1980s, the album was reissued by Mercury Records on vinyl and cassette with a live version of "Nothin' to Lose" (from Alive!) in place of the studio version. This substitution was reportedly done unauthorized by a malicious employee at PolyGram Records' tape library. The studio version was restored when the album was issued on CD and the 2014 vinyl re-issue.

## Reception

[edit]

Despite the band's promoting and touring, Kiss sold approximately 75,000 copies after its initial release without the presence of a hit single.[3] It was certified gold on June 8, 1977, having shipped 500,000 copies.[16] The album was re-released in 1997 (along with most of Kiss' earlier albums) in a remastered version.

In 2003, Kiss was included in the Spin list of essential glam rock albums.[4]

Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley have stated that Kiss is their favorite of the band's albums.[17]

## Track listing

[edit]

All credits are adapted from the original release.[18]

Side oneNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Lead vocals| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Strutter"| Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons| Stanley| 3:10
2.| "Nothin' to Lose"| Simmons| Simmons, Peter Criss| 3:26
3.| "Firehouse"| Stanley| Stanley| 3:18
4.| "Cold Gin"| Ace Frehley| Simmons| 4:21
5.| "Let Me Know"| Stanley| Simmons, Stanley| 2:58

Side twoNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Lead vocals| Length

|
|
|
|

6.| "Kissin' Time"| Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe| Simmons, Stanley, Criss| 3:52
7.| "Deuce"| Simmons| Simmons| 3:05
8.| "Love Theme from Kiss"| Stanley, Simmons, Criss, Frehley| instrumental| 2:24
9.| "100,000 Years"| Stanley, Simmons| Stanley| 3:22
10.| "Black Diamond"| Stanley| Criss, intro by Stanley| 5:11

## Personnel

[edit]

### Kiss

[edit]

* Paul Stanley (Starchild) – vocals, rhythm guitar
* Gene Simmons (Demon) – bass, vocals
* Peter Criss (Catman) – drums, vocals
* Ace Frehley (Space Ace) – lead guitar, backing vocals on "Nothin' to Lose" and "Black Diamond"

### Additional personnel

[edit]

* Bruce Foster – acoustic piano
* Warren Dewey – fire engine on "Firehouse", engineer

### Production

[edit]

* Kenny Kerner, Richie Wise – producers
* Joe Brescio – mastering
* Robert Lockart – art director, design
* Joel Brodsky – photography

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (1974-1976)  | Peak
position

|

Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[19] | 82
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] | 54
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[21] | 38
US Billboard 200[22] | 87

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[23] | Gold  | 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold  | 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "8. February 1974: Kiss releases their debut album "Kiss" - Kiss Timeline".
2. ^ "10. November 1973: Kiss enters Bell Sound Studios to record their debut album - Kiss Timeline".
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Leaf, David and Ken Sharp. KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 2003. ISBN 0-446-53073-5
4. ^ a b Pappademas, Alex (August 5, 2003). "SPIN Record Guide: Essential Glam Rock". Spin. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
5. ^ Prato, Greg. Kiss - Kiss review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
6. ^ Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 161\. ISBN 978-1894959025.
7. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 176\. ISBN 978-0-857-12595-8.
8. ^ Josephes, Jason. "Kiss: Kiss". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 26, 2003.
9. ^ "Kiss: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
10. ^ Cohen, Jason (1995). "Kiss". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 212\. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
11. ^ Kulkarni, Neil (December 1997). "Made up for it". Uncut. No. 7\. p. 100.
12. ^ "Kiss returns to Bell Sound Studios to record "Kissin' Time"". Kiss Timeline - Chronology of the hottest band in the world (1972 – 1983).
13. ^ "Kiss does the debut album photo session". KISS Timeline.
14. ^ Stanley, Paul (2014). Face the Music: A Life Exposed. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062114068.
15. ^ Sharp, Ken. (July 19, 1996). "The Return of Kiss – 'It's Time for Spectacle'". Goldmine #147.
16. ^ a b "American album certifications – Kiss – Kiss". Recording Industry Association of America.
17. ^ Good Morning America (October 30, 2018). "Legendary rock superstars Kiss surprised two super fans and the reactions are priceless!". YouTube. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
18. ^ Kiss (1974). Kiss (LP Sleeve). Los Angeles, California: Casablanca Records. NB 9001.
19. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5039b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
20. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
21. ^ "Charts.nz – Kiss – Kiss". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
22. ^ "Kiss Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
23. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Kiss – Kiss". Music Canada.

## External links

[edit]

* Kiss at Discogs (list of releases)

* v
* t
* e

Kiss

* Paul Stanley
* Gene Simmons
* Peter Criss
* Ace Frehley
* Eric Carr
* Vinnie Vincent
* Mark St. John
* Bruce Kulick
* Eric Singer
* Tommy Thayer

Studio albums|

* Kiss
* Hotter than Hell
* Dressed to Kill
* Destroyer
* Rock and Roll Over
* Love Gun
* Dynasty
* Unmasked
* Music from "The Elder"
* Creatures of the Night
* Lick It Up
* Animalize
* Asylum
* Crazy Nights
* Hot in the Shade
* Revenge
* Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions
* Psycho Circus
* Sonic Boom
* Monster

1978 solo albums|

* Ace Frehley
* Gene Simmons
* Paul Stanley
* Peter Criss

Live albums|

* Alive!
* Alive II
* Alive III
* Kiss Unplugged
* You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!
* Kiss Symphony: Alive IV
* Alive! The Millennium Concert
* Kiss Alive 35
* Kiss Sonic Boom Over Europe
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Compilations|

* Double Platinum
* Killers
* Chikara
* Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
* Greatest Kiss
* The Very Best of Kiss
* The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 2: The Millennium Collection
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 3: The Millennium Collection
* Jigoku-Retsuden
* Kiss 40

Box sets|

* The Originals
* The Box Set
* Kiss Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums
* Kiss Alive! 1975–2000
* Ikons

Video albums|

* Animalize Live Uncensored
* Exposed
* Crazy Nights
* X-treme Close-Up
* Kiss Konfidential
* Kiss My Ass: The Video
* Kiss Unplugged
* Psycho Circus 3-D Video
* The Second Coming
* Kiss Symphony: The DVD
* Rock the Nation Live!
* Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977
* Kissology Volume Two: 1978–1991
* Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Tribute albums|

* Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation
* Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved
* A Tribute to the Creatures of the Night
* Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss
* Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to Kiss
* Gods of Thunder: A Norwegian Tribute to Kiss
* Lick It Up – A Millennium Tribute to Kiss
* Kiss My Ankh

Concert tours|

* Club Tour
* Kiss Tour
* Hotter than Hell Tour
* Dressed to Kill Tour
* Alive! Tour
* Destroyer Tour
* Rock & Roll Over Tour
* Love Gun Tour
* Alive II Tour
* Dynasty Tour
* Unmasked Tour
* Creatures of the Night Tour
* Lick It Up World Tour
* Animalize World Tour
* Asylum Tour
* Crazy Nights World Tour
* Hot in the Shade Tour
* Revenge Tour
* Kiss My Ass Tour
* Alive/Worldwide Tour
* Psycho Circus World Tour
* The Farewell Tour
* Alive 35 World Tour
* Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour
* The Hottest Show on Earth Tour
* The Tour
* Monster World Tour
* Kiss 40th Anniversary World Tour
* Freedom to Rock Tour
* Kissworld Tour
* End of the Road World Tour

Films|

* Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
* Detroit Rock City
* Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery

Merchandising|

* Action figures
* Comics
* Kiss: Psycho Circus
* Pinball
* Pinball video game
* Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child
* Kiss Kasket
* Kiss by Monster Mini-Golf
* Los Angeles Kiss
* Bibliography

Related|

| Articles|

* Discography
* Band members
* Songs
* Awards
* Kiss Army
* Operation Payback
* "Road to Europe"
* Rock School
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels
* The Elder

|

Bands|

* Black 'n Blue
* Chelsea
* Eric Singer Project
* Frehley's Comet
* Mini Kiss
* Union
* Vinnie Vincent Invasion
* White Tiger
* Wicked Lester

Albums|

* Anomaly
* Asshole
* Cat #1
* Gene Simmons Vault
* Let Me Rock You
* Live to Win
* One for All
* Out of Control
* The Original Wicked Lester Sessions
* Origins Vol. 1
* Origins Vol. 2
* Rockology
* Space Invader
* Spaceman
* Trouble Walkin'
* Unfinished Business

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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