| | Kiss Unmasked CD Kiss Discography of CDs
 (36 Customer Reviews)
Released in 1980, UNMASKED is the first album by Kiss not featuring the four original members. Although featured on the album cover, drummer Peter Criss was replaced by session man and David Letterman band member Anton Fig. With disco all but dead and new wave setting in, the group took a pop approach with producer Vini Poncia at the helm. While the record may have alienated hard core fans that were used to the band's heavier sound, the record did manage to appeal to Kiss' ever growing kiddie base.
The band's lyrical content remained consistent though, as "Is That You?" describes a vixen-like character close to the group. "Shandi", the only single off the record, is a catchy pop ballad featuring Paul Stanley on lead vocals. Lead guitarist Ace Frehley contributes vocally to 2 tracks: "Talk To Me" and "Torpedo Girl", increasing his input in the group compared to previous years. While UNMASKED may not be Kiss's hardest rocking offering, it's certainly a tight, well crafted rock album that is thoroughly enjoyable and showcases the band's talents.
Digitally remastered by Bill Levenson.
Recorded at The Record Plant, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Robert Conte.
Kiss: Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley (vocals, guitar); Gene Simmons (vocals, bass); Peter Criss (vocals, drums).
Additional personnel: Anton Fig (drums).
Unmasked Music Review Average Rating: (3.6 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Why is Peter on the cover of this record?
Strange record, this was not the KISS I was used to. Still some very good songs on this one (again though none by Gene). Shandi, Talk to Me, Easy as it Seems and Tomorrow are my fav's. The cover is pretty cool. I really find it hard to get excited about this record though, maybe because the only one really trying here was Paul.
The flag is flying, barely my firends.
Peace
Submitted by mcubed269 (Middlebury, IN, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Ace songs only
The only reason I bought this cd was for the Ace Frehley songs . They are the only decent songs on this cd. If you're an Ace fan , then buy it . Otherwise it stinks !
Submitted by sabbathpurple (Long Island , NY) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Only for the Aces
I had this cd years ago (before the remastering) and in my opinion it is one of the weakest KISS cd's there is (the weakest being Crazy Nights). I have always been an Ace Frehley fan and just recently saw him on his 2008 solo tour . That show made me repurchase this cd for the 3 songs he wrote and sings on it. They are the 3 best songs on this cd . They are Torpedo Girl , Two Sides Of The Coin and Talk To Me . The only other song on this cd that is half way decent is Is That You . If you are an Ace fan then this is a good buy for the price , if you're not an Ace fan then stay away from it , a Terrible KISS cd .
Submitted by sabbathpurple (Long Island , NY)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  What the...? Who are these impostors?!
What the heck were they putting into the water back when this album was recorded? What happened to KISS? I thought it was just Ace and Peter who had the drug problems back then? Is the whole world going crazy?! Seriously though, I really do not care much for this album, as you can tell. Sure, it's sounds nice and all in a weird mainstream Pop music kind of way, but, this is supposed to be KISS cuz' the album cover said so. I will now quote that famous line from the Family Guy KISS spoof episode (KISS Saves Santa) where Gene says, "That does NOT Rock!" Yikes! Even poor Ace Frehley is somehow converted into a mere shell of his former self! Auuuggghhhh! Invasion of the Pod People! Help! Ha! That's it, that's all I've got to say. later!
Submitted by Dan Walimaa (Detroit Rock City, Michigan)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
 Very Decent
well, i love KISS but this album, doesnt deliver very much, "is that you" was an alright song, same with "talk to me" and "shandi" it's still a good CD to own for any real KISS fan and i give it 4/5
Submitted by thefunkmaster_23 (Sandspit, BC, Canada)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
Purchase Unmasked CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Kiss Dressed To Kill CD (1975) Remastered
Unmasked
 $5.69   
Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio at Sterling Sound, NYC.
By 1975, Kiss' songs of sex, fun and rock and and roll had gained the band a loyal following thirsting for more. With their third album, Kiss did not disappoint.
The ribald and rollicking "Room Service" kicks things off with a nudge and a wink; it's about getting more than just fresh towels from the front desk. The rest of DRESSED TO KILL continues down that road, whether it's Gene Simmons singing of "moving down the line/the ladies are all looking fine" or Paul Stanley describing a tryst with an exotic dancer who spotted his picture in a magazine. While his bandmates naughtily sang of the fairer sex, Ace Frehley was inspiring legions of fledgling guitarists.
Two ...
| | Kiss Rock And Roll Over CD (1976) Remastered
Unmasked
$6.39
Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio (Sterling Sound, New York, New York).
ROCK AND ROLL OVER finds Kiss at its sleekest and most pop-oriented. Fresh from the thundering success of DESTROYER, the band turned out an album jammed with brisk, mostly up-tempo numbers, among which are included some of Kiss's most memorable hits. ROCK AND ROLL OVER was part of a transitional period for Kiss, between the sleazy, more conventional rock of their ...
| | Kiss Dynasty CD (1979)
Unmasked
$6.49
For many of the faithful, DYNASTY marks a turning point in the Kiss story. Their first release after the members' solo albums, it was their last outing with drummer Peter Criss (he was on the cover of UNMASKED, but not the tracks within), and Ace Frehley's departure wasn't far off. DYNASTY is an album of some bombast, with slick production, the inevitable nod to disco ("I Was Made For Loving You"), a ...
| | Kiss Music From "The Elder" CD (1981) Remastered
Unmasked
$6.49
Taking a dip in sales with their previous effort UNMASKED, Kiss decided to deliver a more hard-driving rock album and enlisted the aid of Bob Ezrin, the man who produced DESTROYER (their most successful studio album). Upon his hiring, Ezrin discarded the heavy rock demos Kiss had recorded and suggested the band experiment with a concept album, a Kissified version of THE WALL.
Disgruntled at the band's new direction, Ace Frehley only contributed one track, "Dark Light" (featuring a blistering solo), and aside from basic tracks, the rest of the record was completed without him. THE ELDER is a creative left turn for the band. Kiss brought in co-writers Tony Powers ("Odyssey", "The Oath") and Lou Reed ("Dark Light", "A World Without Heroes", "Mr. Blackwell") to contribute to this epic fantasy, and the result is some magnificent music. The American Symphony Orchestra is heard throughout the album, adding to the grand ...
| | Kiss Creatures Of The Night CD (1982)
Unmasked
$6.49
On the heels of the unusual MUSIC FROM THE ELDER, Kiss decided to return to their hard rock roots with CREATURES and the result is their heaviest-sounding album to date. Unfortunately, Ace Frehley (frustrated by his diminishing role in the group) departed the band prior to recording. He was replaced by Vinnie Vincent, who contributed some lightning-fast riffs.
From the monstrous drum fill that opens the record, it is clear that the grease painted warriors mean business. The title track is a classic Kiss number with a "take no prisoners" punch. "Rock ...
| | Kiss Lick It Up CD (1983) Remastered
Unmasked
$6.49
Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio (Sterling Sound, New York, New York).
September 18, 1983 is a day that will go down in Kisstory. It was then that Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and replacement members Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr took off their signature makeup and revealed themselves on MTV. LICK IT UP was released, and a new chapter unfolded.
Using the same production team as CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, Michael James Jackson, Simmons and Stanley came up with the same bone crunching sound as CREATURES, but with a slightly more polished feel. "Exciter" kicks off the ...
| | Anthrax Armed And Dangerous CD (1985)
Unmasked
$8.65
After the release of their debut album, 1984's FISTFUL OF METAL, New York City thrash specialists Anthrax went through ...
| | Cajun & Zydeco Classics CD (1996)
Unmasked
$6.29
| | Santa Pod CD (1999)
Unmasked
$12.05
This CD contains recordings of drag racing at Santa Pod Raceway, Podington, England.
The still-stirring Ash International [R.I.P.] label commemorates the 50th anniversary of drag racing with a sonic tribute to the sport. Paul Williams set up his sensitive microphones at Santa Pod, an English raceway, and captured all the sound and spectacle of a day at the races. Announcers drone over the roar of the engines; spectators whistle, cheer, and mutter amongst themselves; dragsters guzzle their nitromethane lunches and leap from the starting line like thunderclaps. If not quite as viscerally gratifying as being there, the superb recordings do convey the excitement of the event.
Williams' fine liner notes explain the multiple levels on which SANTA POD functions. First and foremost, the CD is an audio document of a real place, presented in real time. Since drag racing is a modern phenomenon--and a popular one, at that--SANTA POD preserves a technological and sociological moment in history. Williams' recordings also reflect Santa Pod's acoustic peculiarities, and the discrepancies between the flat PA delivery and the racers' ear-bending Doppler shifts would be of great interest to those with a bent for spatial sound-science. Finally, those mighty "thundering gods" of the racetrack promise--and certainly deliver--the hair-raising, spine-snapping noise thrills ...
| | Ultimate Christmas 2 CD (2004)
Unmasked
$9.25
| | Bronx Casket Co Hellectric CD (2009) (Import) Import
Unmasked
$22.35
| | Full Metal Garage: Songs That Drove Metallica CDs (2006) (Import) United Kingdom
Unmasked
$26.29
| | Very Best Of Astrud Gilberto CD (2006) (Import) Import
Unmasked
$33.59
| | Today's Mathematics CD (2007) (Import)
Unmasked
$14.45
| | Revenge Less Talk, More Shots CD (2007)
Unmasked
$8.39
|
|
|
4639 
buttons below to play song samples
Adobe Flash
Email a Friend
