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Rating: Dear DeBaser readers, today I'm going to review the Kiss Mtv Unplugged. As always, a small introduction to the album is needed first.
1996: the Kiss had just concluded the "Kiss convention tour," a convention which also included Peter Criss, the catman, an all-acoustic convention that the Kiss managed to exploit until the last second of the last song. That being said, "on with the review"!
I happen to get this "Mtv unplugged" in my hands, but it is in a double version of both DVD and CD. Of course, the double version does not come from Italy, but the fact is that I start watching the DVD.
The first song is "Comin' home", which is part of "Hotter than Hell", and it is performed perfectly. Eric Singer behind the acoustic drums does not disappoint and doesn't let anyone down; in fact, he showcases his best in the easier songs since he makes them more beautiful and catchy, but also more challenging. "Comin' home" is the right introductory song for this type of concert: strong and intense, the Kiss know how to handle their audience, and indeed, right away Gene’s "A" note on the bass is heard, leading into "Plaster caster" from 'Love gun'. The song is performed excellently and Kulick's solo is heard very well here. Gene's voice is perfect, calibrated excellently, and so after "Plaster Caster", they continue with "Goin' blind", another song from "Hotter than Hell". Gene once again shows his skills, although the song is shortened because "The demon" doesn't remember the words and repeats those from the previous verse. Anyway, up until now, the Kiss have been amazing, it's worth noting, and they'll continue to be for the entire concert.
"Do you love me?" is the next song performed excellently, with Eric Singer's Pearl being heard excellently here too. Paul's voice seems rejuvenated, showcasing his best with vocal cords and also with his acoustic Ibanez. Technical problems with Bruce's guitar for the next song "Domino". The guitar is not heard at the beginning, which causes Gene to interrupt the song and sincerely say "Let's do it again." The audience jokes with the Demon about this mistake but doesn’t hold it against him because, after all, he is Gene Simmons. "Domino" starts again, and this time Kulick's guitar has no issues. When the song ends, Gene sincerely says "I'm sorry!!!"with a sad and melancholic voice, as if to emphasize that it wasn't intentional. After "Domino", comes "Got to choose", another song from "Hotter than Hell". As it's not one of my favorites, I'll critique it a bit by saying that they didn't perform it very well, but it is still pleasant to listen to. "Sure know something" follows "Got to choose", a beautiful ballad from "Dynasty" performed as if Paul hadn't aged a day, and the drumming is consistently precise and impeccable.
"A world without heroes" is the next song that leaves everyone speechless for its beauty and sweetness. The following "Rock bottom" warms up the audience to the point where the Kiss play "See you tonight" (it's written that way on the disc, I swear), which is part of "Gene", one of the solo albums of the four. Paul’s guitar starts the notes of "I still love you", always beautiful and full of emotions; Eric Singer replicates the drum parts from "Alive III" excellently. The audience applauds the four, who then perform "Every time I look at you" from "Revenge", also played with a small orchestra composed exclusively of violas, violins, and double basses. The execution is perfect, and it's here that the old generations take the place of the new: Ace & Peter perform two songs with Paul & Gene. The audience, evidently ecstatic, demands "Shock Me", but Ace plays "2,000 man". The audience is satisfied but at least wants "Beth" by Peter Criss. Naturally, the Kiss oblige, and right after "2,000 man" comes "Beth", performed beautifully as well.
And so, the Kiss really show who they are by playing two songs as six: Ace, Peter, Bruce, Paul, and Eric Singer. The first song played by six is "Nothing to lose", performed excellently with the first verse sung by Singer. To close the concert and send everyone to bed, "Rock and roll all nite" is a must, where I liked the dual guitar solo, first Bruce, then Ace.
This live performance is definitely one of the best by the Kiss without a doubt; the only thing that leaves a bit of a bitter taste from this 'Unplugged' is the reunion with Ace, not well-regarded by Gene Simmons, who only thinks about the economic aspect of the reunion. Aside from these details, it must be said that the Kiss are the Kiss, and they will never bow down to any other band, not even the Metallica Unplugged (1997) could remotely compete with that of the Kiss.
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
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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 Rainbow Rising
"We are part of that generation according to which if a song doesn’t work acoustically, it simply doesn’t work."
"The Kiss silence anyone who believed them capable of staging shows as grand visually as they were negligible artistically."
