(TheBRHM.com) The 1974 self-titled debut from KISS is probably one of the few albums from the band that I actually keep in rotation. For those wondering, the others are Alive! and Destroyer. I don’t know, oftentimes when I’m in a mood for hard rock I will go with AC/DC, Queen, Uriah Heep or Heart and they will get the job done.
But this isn’t about those bands’ debut albums, we’re talking Kiss, a 10-track, 35-minute listen that can sound longer than it is. I’ve gathered that it’s because while Kiss tends to play hard rock and flirt with heavy metal, they often kept it more mid-tempo. For my ears, it wasn’t unusual for songs to just drift into each other only for me to hit replay when it’s one of the album’s bangers.
Let’s dive into this debut and remember: “*” after a song is a must-listen and “**” is a must-fave. Those are your bangers, folks.
A-side of Kiss
The A-side starts off with “Strutter”—love it. It’s my second-favorite KISS sound, the only songs on this side—while some great standards for the band—don’t matter much to me because of “Strutter”. It rides, it has a bounce, a bit of 1970s grit or bite, I love this song and it’s in the right place on the album. his doesn’t mean that “Firehouse”, “Nothin’ to Lose”, and “Cold Gin” are throwaway tracks. They’re also KISS standards and “Cold Gin” actually rocks but “Strutter” is “Strutter”.
When KISS is mentioned, “Rock N and Roll All Night” or “Detroit Rock City” tend to come to mind. Good picks, they’re KISS 101 but they’re well-known for a reason. Those are called bangers. However, when someone says”KISS” I go to “Strutter” or a song we’ll get into from the B-side.
Standout Tracks: Strutter**, Firehouse, Nothin’ to Lose”, Cold Gin
B-side
This isn’t going to be as intensive as the A-side because I feel that there aren’t enough bangers to really dwell on the B-side of Kiss. It starts with a cover, “Kissin’ Time” and is held up by the formidable “Deuce”—another popular KISS tune—and my all-time favorite KISS song: “Black Diamond”. I look at “Black Diamond” the same way as “Strutter”, so it’s best not to get into that closer.
There’s also an instrumental and we know my feelings about those and “100,000 Years” which is alright but it’s not enough to round the B-side out as equal to or stronger than the A-side. It’s your textbook B-side.
Standout Tracks: Deuce, Black Diamond**
Strength of the Opener: Strutter
Listen, “Strutter” is a banger, it’s one of my three favorite KISS songs, it rocks, and it rides. Enough said. Although “Black Diamond” is my favorite overall KISS tune, I’m not sure how it would’ve done as the opener. It definitely deserves to be the actual closer instead of an instrumental but I don’t think the A-side could handle both “Strutter” and “Black Diamond” on the same side of the album—especially with “Firehouse” and “Cold Gin” right there.
Pardon? “Put ‘Strutter’ on the B-side”? Reader, please. Don’t be silly, we can’t pit “Strutter” on the B-side, hell “Black Diamond” shouldn’t even be there but it gives that side more oomph. Anyway, “Strutter” is a great opener for this album and kicks things off on a high note.
Did you enjoy Kiss? Is it one of your Dave’s? Merely so-so? Or you’ve never cared for it? As always let us know in the comments and let us know your favorite KISS album!
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.