•
Rating: Proponents of a compelling rock'n'roll and known for their outrageous image, the Kiss, for the past forty years, have been a true institution of world rock music, one of the few capable of placing within their extensive discography explosive tracks as well as sweet ballads, stadium anthems as well as more subdued pieces. If albums like "Destroyer," "Love Gun" or the first two historic "Alive" are now to be considered among the cornerstones of their artistic trajectory, as well as a certain very American way of interpreting rock, it is undeniable that, in the collective imagination, the myth of the Kiss often remains linked not only to many excellent songs but also to the exaggerated theatricality that has always distinguished them.
Arriving at their debut on the crowded New York scene of the early seventies, they immediately became a worldwide phenomenon, releasing something like ten official albums in just over five years. While initially their eccentric image and the quality of their albums went hand in hand, very soon they began to lose pieces, with a rapid decline seemingly looming. The eighties, in addition to forcing the band to make painful but needed line-up changes, saw the Kiss, now completely under the hands of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, shift, depending on the moment, towards heavy metal, glam metal, or AOR, a questionable move in terms of artistic integrity but one that nevertheless highlighted the chameleon-like abilities of the quartet.
The nineties saw a grand comeback of these Americans, now true icons, and it was in this context that conditions matured for this "MTV Unplugged". Among the few merits of MTV, indeed, was certainly the idea of creating the eponymous program, which over the years saw, among many participants, several leading names of the "heavy" scene (Korn, Scorpions, Nirvana) put aside electric guitars for once to embrace acoustics, offering their audience a new take on their classics. With this album, the Kiss silence anyone—if there were any doubts after more than twenty years of honorable career—who believed them capable of staging shows as grand visually as they were negligible artistically, authors of songs as catchy as they were forgettable. "We are part of that generation according to which if a song doesn't work acoustically, it simply doesn't work." Said and done, the Kiss put on a one-hour show where they showcase, alongside old and new classics, pieces rarely played or little known to the wider public, thus offering an exceptional setlist.
"Comin' Home" opens the show, showcasing a cohesive and confident band, engaging despite performing in a very different setting than usual. "Goin' Blind", a rarely performed piece, will prove to be a classic in years to come, returning with force in the band's concert setlists. "Do You Love Me?", which at the time closed "Destroyer," works much better here than in its original incarnation, while "Domino" shows how Kiss still had plenty to say in the nineties. The absence of the typical wall of guitars allows the individual techniques to shine, as in the case of Bruce Kulick, an excellent sidekick, as well as Eric Singer on drums, who had recently joined Gene Simmons and company. "Sure Know Something" and "I Still Love You" underscore, once again, what an exceptional artist Paul Stanley is, charismatic and technical at the same time, one of the most recognizable voices in rock over the past forty years, while "See You Tonight" and "A World Without Heroes" highlight the interpretative talents of the other protagonist of the evening, a Gene Simmons in top form.
It goes without saying that the true event of the evening was, for the fortunate ones who could attend the recordings of the show, not only being able to see and hear the Kiss in such an unusual guise but also the fact that, after years of requests, they finally decided to satisfy the most die-hard fans by organizing the reunion of the original band. "Beth" shows how Peter Criss's voice hasn't lost its charm even after twenty years, while "2000 Man" has the dear Ace Frehley as its absolute protagonist. The grand finale sees all the musicians involved in the event end the night beautifully with "Nothin' To Lose" and "Rock And Roll All Nite," authentic classics from the early days of the Kiss of New York, amidst the rapture of the audience.
"MTV Unplugged", besides being one of the most interesting albums in the long history of the group, was also an opportunity for the four original members to reunite, giving rise to the historic formation's reunion, which, however, despite being long-desired by fans, would turn out to be short-lived. In conclusion, the album is worth it, a pleasurable listen that might intrigue even those who have usually kept their distance from these four masked men's extravagant proposition, showing them, for once, in a more intimate and refined guise.
Kiss:
- Paul Stanley, vocals and guitar
- Gene Simmons, vocals and bass
- Bruce Kulick, guitar
- Eric Singer, drums and vocals
featuring:
- Peter Criss, vocals and drums
- Ace Frehley, vocals and guitar
"MTV Unplugged":
- Comin' Home
- Plaster Caster
- Goin' Blind
- Do You Love Me?
- Domino
- Sure Know Something
- A World Without Heroes
- Rock Bottom
- See You Tonight
- I Still Love You
- Every Time I Look at You
- 2000 Man
- Beth
- Nothin' To Lose
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Comin' Home (02:51)
It's been a month or two since I was sleepin' with you
I'm comin' home again
I've been to east and west, but baby I like best
The road that leads to you
Oh girl, it seems the whole wide world seems to say
Hotels that all look the same
Just seem to drive me insane
But I can't get away
Until I receive a call that tells me that will be all
And then I hop a plane
It's true, I'm not sure if you knew
I'm comin' home to you
Oh girl, it seems the whole wide world seems to say
Hotels that all look the same
Just seem to drive me insane
But I can't get away
Until I receive a call that tells me that will be all
And then I hop a plane
It's true, I'm not sure if you knew
I'm comin' home to you
I'm comin' home to you
I'm comin' home to you
I'm comin' home, baby
02 Plaster Caster (03:18)
Baby's getting anxious, the hour's getting late
The night is almost over, she can't wait
Oh, things are complicating, my love is in her hands
And there's no more waiting, she understands
The plaster's gettin' harder and my love is perfection
A token of my love for her collection, her collection
Plaster caster, grab a hold of me faster
And if you wanna see my love, just ask her
And my love is the plaster
And yeah, she's the collector
She wants me all the time to inject her
The plaster's gettin' harder and my love is perfection
A token of my love for her collection
Plaster caster, plaster caster
Grab a hold of me faster, plaster, faster
And if you wanna see my love, just ask her, ask her
Go on, ask her
The plaster's gettin' harder and my love is perfection
A token of my love for her collection, her collection
Plaster caster, plaster caster
Grab a hold of me faster, plaster, faster
If you wanna see my love, just ask her, ask her
Plaster caster, plaster caster
She wants my love to last her, last her, last her
And she calls me by the name of master, master
Plaster caster, plaster caster
Grab a hold of me faster, plaster, faster
If you wanna see my love, just ask her, ask her
Plaster caster, plaster caster
Grab a hold of me faster, plaster, faster
And if you wanna see my love, just ask her, ask her
Plaster caster, plaster caster
03 Goin' Blind (03:37)
And I know how it should be
There is nothing more for you and I
Some are young and some are free
But I think I'm goin' blind
'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it's to be, yeah
Little lady, can't you see
You're so young and so much different than I
I'm 93, you're sixteen
Can't you see I'm goin' blind
'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it's to be, yeah
'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it's to be, yeah
You're much younger, can't you see
There is nothing more for you and I
I'm 93, you're sixteen
And I think I'm goin' blind
Yes, I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it's to be, yeah
05 Domino (03:46)
"Now lemme tell ya my story, I got a man-sized predicament
And it's a big one, goes like this, yeah"
My my, ow, yeah!
Never had confession, never had a home
Never had no worry, until I met Domino
Ain't the virgin Mary, love her I confess
Got my hesitations, 'cause she kisses like the kiss of death
Loves lots of money, back's against the wall
Calls me "Sugar Daddy", she knows she's got me by the balls
They call her Domino - "so fine"
Got a reputation, haven't got a hope
It's a sticky situation, if she ain't old enough to vote
Loves to play with fire, loves to hurt so good
Loves to keep me burnin', 'cause she's a bad habit, bad habit
Bad habit that's good, good, good
They call her Domino, Domino, Domino
"Every damn time I walk through that door, it's the same damn thing
That bitch bends over, and I forget my name - ow!"
Loves lots of money, back's against the wall
Calls me "Sugar Daddy", she knows she's got me by the balls - ow!
Loves to play with fire, love her I confess
Got no hesitations, cause she's a bad habit, bad habit, she's a bad habit!
"Yeah"
06 Sure Know Something (04:14)
I've been up and down
I've been all around
I was mystified
Almost terrified
But late at night I still hear you
Call my name
I've been on my own
I've been all alone
I was hypnotized
I felt paralyzed
But late at night I still want you
Just the same
CHORUS
I've been a gambler but I'm nobodies fool
And I sure know something (sure know something)
You showed me things they never told me at school
And I sure know something (sure know something)
No-one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, a-haaa
I was seventeen,
You were just a dream
I was mesmerized
I felt scared inside
You broke my heart
And still can
Feel the pain
I've been carried out
I've had fear and doubt
Up in stormy night
Never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you
Just the same
CHORUS
I've been a gambler but I'm nobodies fool
And I sure know something (sure know something)
You showed me things they never told me at school
And I sure know something (sure know something)
No-one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, a-haaa
Aaaa, aaa, aaa
Aaaa, aaa, aaa
Aaaa, aaa, aaa
Aa, aa, aa
I've been carried out
I've had fear and doubt
I'v been starry eyed
Never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you
Just the same
CHORUS x 2
I've been a gambler but I'm nobodies fool
And I sure know something (sure know something)
You showed me things they never told me at school
And I sure know something (sure know something)
No-one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, a-haaa
12 2,000 Man (05:12)
Well, my name it is a number
It's on a piece of plastic film
And I've been growin' funny flowers
Outside on my little window sill
And don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
You know, my wife still respects me
Even though I really misuse her
I am having an affair
With the Random computer
But don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
Oh daddy, proud of your planet
Oh mommy, proud of your sun
Oh daddy, proud of your planet
Oh mommy. proud of your sun
Oh daddy, your brain's still flashin'
Like they did when you were young
Or did they come down crashin'
Seeing all the things you'd done
Spacin' out and havin' fun
Oh daddy, proud of your planet
Oh mommy. proud of your sun
Oh daddy, proud of your planet
Oh mommy. proud of your sun
Oh daddy, your brain's still flashin'
Like they did when you were young
Or did they come down crashin'
Seeing all the things you'd done
Spacin' out and havin' fun
But, don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
But don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
Understand me, understand me,
understand me, now understand me
But don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
But don't you know I'm a 2,000 man
And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
I'm a 2,000 man, I'm a 2,000 man
I'm a 2,000 man, I'm a 2,000 man, yeah, 2,000
13 Beth (02:50)
Beth I hear you calling
But I can't come home right now
Me and the boys are playing
but we just can't find the sound
Just a few more hours
And I'll be right home to you
I think I hear them calling
Oh Beth what can I do
Beth what can I do
You say you feel so empty
That our house just ain't our home
I'm always somewhere else
And you're always there alone
Just a few more hours
And I'll be right home to you
I think I hear them calling
Oh Beth what can I do
Beth what can.....I do
Beth I know you're lonely
And I hope you'll be alright
'Cause me and the boys will be playing all night
all night
14 Nothin' to Lose (03:42)
Before I had a baby
I didn't care anyway
I thought about the back door
I didn't know what to say, yeah, yeah
But once I got a baby
I tried every way
She didn't wanna do it
But she did anyway, yeah, yeah
So baby please don't refuse
You know you got nothin' to lose
You got nothin' to lose
You got, got nothin' to lose, oh nothin'
You got, got nothin' to lose, ooh, baby
You got, got nothin' to lose, ow, come on mama
You got, got nothin' to lose, you really, really, got nothin'
You got, got nothin' to lose, ah, sing with the catman
You got, got nothin' to lose, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got
You got, you got, you got nothin' to lose
So now I got a baby
And I tried every way, I tried any way
You know she wants to do it, know she wants to do it
And she does anyway, yeah, yeah
But baby please don't refuse
You know you got nothin' to lose
You got nothin' to lose
You got, got nothin' to lose, oh, nothin'
You got, got nothin' to lose, ha, ha, oh, baby
You got, got nothin' to lose, ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-yeah
You got, got nothin' to lose, ah, sing one time with Pete
You got, got nothin' to lose, don't you know baby
You got, got nothin' to lose, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got
You got, you got, you got nothin' to lose
You got, got nothin' to lose, I can't hear you
You got, got nothin' to lose, come on baby
You got, got nothin' to lose, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got, got nothin' to lose, ow
You got, got nothin' to lose, you got nothin'
You got, got nothin' to lose, oh, New York
You got, got nothin' to lose, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got, got nothin' to lose, all right
Yeah
15 Rock and Roll All Nite (04:20)
You show us everything you've got
You keep on dancin' and the room gets hot
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You say you wanna go for a spin
The party's just begun, we'll let you in
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You keep on shoutin', you keep on shoutin'
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
You keep on saying you'll be mine for a while
You're lookin' fancy and I like your style
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You show us everything you've got
Baby, baby that's quite a lot
And you drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You keep on shoutin', you keep on shoutin'
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday
I wanna rock and roll all night
16 Got to Choose (03:59)
Baby, you know I heard the neighbours say
Baby, you might be leavin' me today
Oh yeah, mmm, someone's come along and shared your time
Don't care, no I don't, no
But you can't be his and still be mine, so
Ooh, got to choose who's your baby
Ooh, got to choose
Sometimes, oh sometimes, I know you need a change of pace
Oh yeah, but I ain't gonna run no race
Baby, you've got to tell me yes or no
Alright, alright, come on and tell me
Tell me if you're gonna go, come on
Ooh, got to choose who's your baby
Ooh, got to choose who's your baby
Ooh, got to choose who's your baby
Ooh, got to choose, got to choose
Who's your baby, who's your baby
Who's your baby, who's your baby
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By VincVega
The four proved to be in great shape, showcasing excellent technique and a strong explosive charge.
After years of decline, the Kiss proved they still had it, and this concert... was a rebirth.
By kissarmy
"This live performance is definitely one of the best by the Kiss without a doubt."
"The Kiss are the Kiss, and they will never bow down to any other band..."
