Kiss 2008 Japan

This album has everything a KISS album should have:hard rock anthems, fast-fingured guitar solos, explosive lyrics, heart-felt power balads and the fun spirit of KISS. If I were to recommend a KISS album to anyone it would be this one simply because its just a really fun album that has something for metal fans as well as ballad loving folks…

Of the four Kiss solo albums released in 1978, Paul Stanley's was the most Kiss-like. While Gene Simmons and Peter Criss decided to use the opportunity to explore other musical styles, Stanley–like guitarist Ace Frehley–chose to stick to what he did best. A few tracks are of a more epic nature, such as "Tonight You Belong to Me" and "Take Me Away (Together as One)," but for the most part, PAUL STANLEY is just good old straightforward rock & roll. "Move On," "Wouldn't You Like to Know Me," "It's Alright," "Love in Chains," and "Goodbye" are all hard rockers, while the more serene numbers, "Ain't Quite Right" and "Hold Me, Touch Me," fit in with the rest quite well.

With personnel changes and neglect from a key member of the band, it's amazing ANIMALIZE turned out as well as it did. This record shows Kiss was able to rise above all the groups who copied a style of music that Kiss originated.
After LICK IT UP, "creative differences" pushed lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent out and speed demon Mark St. John in. Without missing a lick, St. John was able to fill Vincent's shoes admirably. Also around this time, Gene Simmons decides to try his hand at acting, starring in such films as "Runaway" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive". Thus, he is listed as Associate Producer but in reality had minimal input. Producer Paul Stanley did a fine job putting his own personal technical stamp on the album. Stanley sings on "I've Had Enough (Into The Fire)," a fast and furious track with motivational lyrics. He also fills in on bass for Simmons on both singles, "Heaven's On Fire" and "Thrills In The Night." Lyrically, Simmon's songs reflect where he was in the 80's with titles like "Burn Bitch Burn" and "Murder In High Heels".

Though it may not seem like much time, the five short years during which they recorded for A&M Records marked the most consistent period of Y&T's unfortunate career. And though they would sign a new contract with Geffen thereafter, their subsequent, glam-drenched efforts would prove even less inspired. So while hardly all encompassing, Best of '81 to '85 will satisfy the curious fan better than any other package, save perhaps for their excellent live album, Open Fire. The band's drab studio technique notwithstanding, tracks like "Open Fire," "Hurricane," "Mean Streak," and "I Believe in You" make a strong, cohesive statement about the group's songwriting, if not their performance. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Night Ranger is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California in the early 80's. A band that epitomized the mega-selling, big hair, soft metal sound, Night Ranger took a break at the end of that decade but reunited in 1996 and they continue to perform in various guises. Night Ranger had a string of best-selling albums with sales of more than 16 million copies fuelled by multiple hit singles—particularly their first hit, "Sister Christian"…

Things had changed for Be Bop Deluxe by the time of the group's fourth album. The band that turned up in glam rock regalia on its 1974 debut, Axe Victim, was in suit and tie on the cover of Modern Music in 1976. Inside, the band's transformation into a sophisticated pop group seemed complete. Arrangements were still ornate, but the songs were dominated by their highly imagistic lyrics, and as often as not, Nelson was borrowing ideas from the Beatles. It didn't quite work, despite pleasant numbers such as "Orphans of Babylon" and "Kiss of Light," perhaps because a true pop sensibility requires a gift for simplicity that Nelson has never exhibited. The album charted high in England and made the Top 100 in the U.S., but it was Be Bop's peak, not its breakthrough.

Things had changed for Be Bop Deluxe by the time of the group's fourth album. The band that turned up in glam rock regalia on its 1974 debut, Axe Victim, was in suit and tie on the cover of Modern Music in 1976. Inside, the band's transformation into a sophisticated pop group seemed complete. Arrangements were still ornate, but the songs were dominated by their highly imagistic lyrics, and as often as not, Nelson was borrowing ideas from the Beatles. It didn't quite work, despite pleasant numbers such as "Orphans of Babylon" and "Kiss of Light," perhaps because a true pop sensibility requires a gift for simplicity that Nelson has never exhibited. The album charted high in England and made the Top 100 in the U.S., but it was Be Bop's peak, not its breakthrough.

The dwindling record sales, the rather embarrassing tabloid kiss-and-tells, and the downright unflattering Bo' Selecta! impersonations have made it easy to forget that not so long ago, Craig David was one of Britain's most credible soul talents. His fusion of 2-step and soulful R&B struck a chord with audiences both at home and across the Atlantic, his debut album became the fastest-selling ever by a male solo artist, and his failure to pick up any Brit Awards – after being nominated for six – sparked a tabloid frenzy. Greatest Hits, featuring 12 Top 40 singles, is a comprehensive roundup of David's career so far, taking in the early glory days, the backlash years, and three new tracks that suggest he isn't ready to be written off just yet.

Gold is a 2005 greatest hits collection from hard rock band KISS. This two-disc set covers the band's recordings from 1974 to 1982. KISS Gold (2008 Japanese exclusive limited edition 40-track digitally remastered 2-disc SHM-CD album set.