•
Rating: KISS STO KASS (or the theory of the asparagus).
Is "always" and "anyway" a specialization in something necessary in this world? Can I say that asparagus, for example, after tasting them in 10 different ways, disgusts me, or do I have to know life, death, and miracles of asparagus from its appearance in China 3000 years ago to today before expressing a very personal "contemporary opinion"? Just like in music, do I HAVE TO know the entire history of Heavy Metal from Black Sabbath to today, or can I express an opinion "regardless" of this KISS album "Revenge" from 1992? (and I speak OF THIS album as it is the one I have owned for a long time and the one I have listened to the most... about 3/4 times before putting it away in the most inaccessible and dusty corner of my wall disco).
IF it's "no," someone, however, explain it to me (given that in Italy for a few more years - hopefully - freedom of opinion should still exist), but if instead I can say my opinion (and say it all), this phantom group of colorful pretend-masked entertainers have truly dug their own grave with this album (which, as far as I'm concerned, had already been dug for quite some time).
Here too, as in almost all their albums, in a stroke of "predictability" slightly less than the storylines of the Bagaglino Mediasettiano, the 4 brutal clowns sing praises to sex and rock as "core" elements of pre-adolescent fun, publishing yet another "musical toy full of gadgets and muscles" devoid of social or existential connotations: "let's make noise and pretend to scare you," this is essentially their message.
Is it a coincidence that from this "hat" over the years an avalanche of PC games, PS2, GameBoy, comics, cartoons, and whatever else suggests "teen racket mixed with Crazy-Fun" that still today invoices as 3 medium-sized Italian companies?!
If they were still in fashion, today they would very likely be featured in the Post section of some magazine like Cioè, XL, or POP's (I can already see the round logo with Simmons's silhouette greeting the readers with his tongue sticking out and the middle finger raised).
Absolutely coarse and visual like a shovel of fuchsia cement polka-dots, boring and monotonous like a homily by PopeRazzya at 35° in the shade, their songs have always combined the wild fury of a certain metal, softened by the predictability of arrangements made with easy, catchy riffs, as few in Rock history.
Absolutely lacking from a technical point of view (as admitted by their leader Gene Simmons in an interview 15 years ago on Rewiew) the 4 lads understood from the outset that, to emerge at all costs, they would have to focus on the scenic aspect rather than the music. Thus their exhibitionism from "House of Fear from Luna Park" ended up making them remembered more for the silliness they invented on stage than for the musical aspects almost non-existent (except in small spurts scattered in small doses throughout their overflowing discography).
In practice, this group is credited (?!) with having transformed the original language of the genre into a melting-pop cauldron based on watered-down Metal, invigorated easy-listening, and a fair dose of crazy-pop-sugary, decreeing success among the less musically educated youngsters and more impressionable by the scenic effects (from 12 to 18 years old, let's say).
"Revenge" is the first studio album recorded by the band (the 23rd, excluding the 4 soloists!) after the departure of drummer Eric Carr in November 1991, who had replaced Peter Criss 11 years earlier. Upon his death, Eric Singer, a session drummer with some presence in the legendary Black Sabbath (people of a whole other caliber), was taken. The production, always pompous and exaggeratedly kitsch, was entrusted to the usual Bob Ezrin, who had taken care of the production of the "Destroyer" album in 1976 and subsequently the terrible "Music From The Elder" (1981). The album was, of course, dedicated to the deceased drummer, and indeed a short demo-tape titled Carl Jam 81 appears at the end and also on the tracks "Take It Off" and "God Gave Rock 'N Roll To You II" as a secondary voice.
Ah well... of course, the usual 4 die-hard fans will turn up their noses hearing this my "systematic hammering" of this group, almost contemporary to those other 4 silver-painted "rocket-meteor" dunces, but there are very few arguments to defend this album (and almost all the others).
I can understand if this reminds us of our blessed youth (40-year-olds, you've been warned... wake up... I'm talking about you...) and therefore I accept begrudgingly the Nostalgia Operation that could partly "absolve" them, but beyond that, I don't see all this "greatness," this charm, this their "myth" built from the first to the last stroke of makeup (or blush, for that matter!).
I avoid lingering to detail each single track because it would be a sterile list of obviousness elevated to the highest power that I/you gladly spare.
But regardless of what is said, I know I am pedaling on a riverbed against the current (just imagine the effort!!) taking on thousands of accusations from the Extreme Fringe of fans of the "masked kissers," and I know just as well that, whether they like it or not, the Great History of Rock (and its media Caravan) was also made in this way: that is, passing through "folkloric" and "fashion" phenomena outside of every godly grace that had little or nothing to do with Music with a capital M.
"It's Rock'n Roll Show!" someone said, and I accept it as such but, if you allow, of quite another caliber were the "scenic constructions" of a Gabriel or Bowie in their golden years?
If it were up to me, therefore, this album could very well burn in a big bonfire containing at least one-third of the music produced from the late '70s to today.
So, to cut it short, I'm glad that half the world likes asparagus, but in my small way, if I can still say my opinion, there will never be (and I mean NEVER) a way to make me like them. And here no makeup will help, whether the asparagus is disguised as a cat, vampire, or pierrot: it will always be an asparagus... and just smelling it from a meter away will be enough for me to understand it... and avoid it as soon as possible!!
Si u ledar!
Your, Lesto.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Unholy (03:42)
I was there through the ages
Chained slaves to their cages
I have seen you eat your own
I'm the cycle of pain
Of a thousand year old reign
I'm suicide and salvation
The omen to nations
That you worship on all fours
I'm the infection and famine
That's knocking at your door
That's why you're feeling so
Unholy
Oh, I was created by man, you know I'm....
Unholy
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I am the incubus
I lay the egg in you
The worm that burrows
Through your braainn
But you are the beast
That calls me by my name
You send your children to war
To serve bastards and whores
So now you know
You created me
On the day that you were born
Unholy
I was created by man, yeah I'm the Lord of the flies, you know I'm
Unholy
From the left hand of power comes the father of lies
Unholy - Unholy!
I lay you down to sleep
Your soul to keep
Better cross your heart before you die
And now you know
Know that you are mine
That's why you're feeling so
Unholy, Unholy, Unholy - Unholy!!
02 Take It Off (04:51)
Well my mind is gettin' dirty yeah around eleven thirty, uh huh
I wanna watch some asses shakin' to the noise the boys are makin', uh huh
Ooh, so I hop into my car, hit the local titty bar, uh huh
'Cause that's my kind of situation when I need some perspiration, uh huh
I do my one-step shoppin' for the girl of my dreams
'Cause I can always be sure that she's as good as she seems
Take it off, give it to me
Take it off, like you'd do me
I wanna see what's inside, 'cause you got nothin' to hide
Take it off, pretty baby
Take it off, drive me crazy
You know you make me so hot, I wanna see what you got
Take it off, yeah!
Wave your panties in the air, lick your lips and shake your hair, uh huh
Ooh, when you spread a little oil, yeah, my blood begins to boil, uh huh
Yeah, it's so hard to choose, when you all look so fine
But I got nothin' to lose but my money and my mind
Take it off, give it to me
Take it off, like you'd do me
I wanna see what's inside, 'cause you got nothin' to hide
Take it off, pretty baby
Take it off, drive me crazy
Ooh, take it off, drive me crazy
You know you make me so hot, I wanna see what you got
Take it off, yeah! Take it off!
(Instrumental break)
Ooh, move your sweet body closer (I want to be alone with you)
Yeah, come on and be my fantasy (there's so much you and I could do)
Oh, you're so near I can taste you (you're teasin' me, yeah you're pleasin' me)
(Ahh) I know you're dancin' just for me, just for me, just for me
Take it off, pretty baby
Take it off, drive me crazy
You know you make me so hot, I wanna see what you got
Take it off, pretty baby
Take it off, give it to me
Take it off, like you'd do me
Girl, you got nothin' to hide, now lemme see what's inside
Take it off! Take it, take it, take it off! Yeah!
04 Spit (03:33)
I got no manners and I'm not too clean
But I know what I like, if you know what I mean
What'll people say? Well mister cantcha see
It don't mean spit to me
Hot damn, Lord above, I want a lotta woman with a lotta love
Well, thin is in, but it's plain to see, it don't mean spit to me
I need: big hips, sweet lips, make a man outta me
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin' - most definitely
(I need a whole lotta woman) To keep me satisfied
(I need a whole lotta woman) Baby, for ride after ride after ride
(I need a whole lotta woman) Yeah, 'cause what you are is what you eat
And I need something sweet
Lock the windows, close the doors, then she get down on all fours
Let the neighbors talk, but can't you see, it don't mean spit to me
No! Oh yeah!
(I need a whole lotta woman) Yes I do, to keep me satisfied
(I need a whole lotta woman)
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, for ride after ride after ride
(I need a whole lotta woman)
I'm tellin' you, 'cause what you are is what you eat
And I need something sweet (I want somethin')
never did, never will
(I need a whole lotta woman) Yeah, 'cause meatless girls don't satisfy me
(I need a whole lotta woman) Mama mama, for ride after ride after ride
(I need a whole lotta woman) Yeah, that's right, what you are is who you eat
And I need something
(I need a whole lotta woman) Oh, I need a whole lotta woman
(I need a whole lotta woman) Hey, Bruce
(I need a whole lotta woman) Yeah yeah, oh oh oh
06 Domino (04:01)
"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"
08 Thou Shalt Not (03:59)
I lived most of my life in New York City
Born and raised in the promised land
One day this man in black said, "Listen Jack"
Told me I was chosen to kiss the ring on his hand
He said "Kindly reconsider the sins of your past"
And I said "Mister you can kindly kiss my ass"
"Thou shalt not" - but I know what I want - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - but I know what I need - "Thou shalt not"
Well, the son of a bitch must be crazy
Tellin' me I'm gonna go down
I said, "this ain't the inquisition, you ain't the son of God
And I sure as hell don't give a damn"
He said, "You're long gone, can't you tell?"
And I said "Mister, if I'm goin', I'll see you in hell! Yeah!"
"Thou shalt not" - but I know what I want - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - but I know what I need - "Thou shalt not" - yeah
"Thou shalt not" - gotta live my life - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - any way I please - "Thou shalt not"
Don't even try, you know I'd die to be free, oh yeah
And you wonder why, you can't bring this guy to his knees
'Cause I know what I want, yes, I know what I need
Well, I know what I want, I know what I need
Gotta live my life just the way I please, ooh yeah
'Cause I know what I want, yeaaahhhhh!
"Thou shalt not", "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not", "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - but I know what I want - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - oh, yes I do - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - I'm gonna live my life - "Thou shalt not"
"Thou shalt not" - any way I choose - "Thou shalt not"
You got that right.
10 Paralyzed (04:15)
Who cares, I'm in a trance, I got no hope, I don't stand a chance
But it's all right, yes it's all right
Who knows, well I don't care, 'cause I don't fit in anywhere
But it's all right, yes it is all right
Well, I'm numb but that's my style, I've been numb for a little while
And it's all right, yes it's all right
I checked out yesterday, well there's nothing left to say
But it's all right, yes it's all right
Don't see nothin' in my eyes, 'cause man I've been lobotomized
Cold inside, anesthetized, 'cause life has got me paralyzed
Who says I have to pay, I didn't want this anyway
But it's all right, yes it's all right
Who says life is good? Love thyself, well I never could
But it's all right, yes it is all right
I'm here dressed in black, waiting for a heart attack
But it's all right, yes it's all right
I try to talk, I just can't speak, the urge is strong, but my brain is weak
And it's all right, yes it's all right
Don't see nothin' in my eyes, 'cause man I've been lobotomized
Cold inside, anesthetized, 'cause life has got me paralyzed
And who says life is good? Love thyself, well I never could
But it's all right, yes it's all right
I checked out yesterday, well there's nothing left to say
But it's all right, yes it's all right
Don't see nothin' in my eyes, 'cause man I've been lobotomized, I'm paralyzed
Cold inside, anesthetized, yeah, I'm feelin' otherwise, I'm paralyzed
Don't see nothin' in my eyes, 'cause man I've been lobotomized, I'm paralyzed
Cold inside, anesthetized, yeah, I'm feelin' otherwise, I'm paralyzed
11 I Just Wanna (04:08)
I got a body built for sin and an appetite for passion
Yeah I can see the road to ruin and I'm lookin' for some action
I got my finger on the trigger and a match to the fuse
I'll make someone an offer that's too big to refuse
Tired of tryin' to be what I'll never be, baby, you could never see that
Chorus:
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance, I just wanna forget you
Time to take my chances, find somebody new
I just wanna fuh, I just wanna fuh, I just wanna forget you
I'm gonna set the night on fire, shootin' like a Roman Candle
Ooh yeah, I'm burnin' with desire and I'm much too hot to handle
I'm like a runaway, crazy train, I'm out of control
If you try to put the brakes on, I'm still gonna roll
Tired of tryin' to do what you want me to, baby, I'm just tired of you, yeah
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance, I just wanna forget you
Time to take my chances, find somebody new
I just wanna fuh, I just wanna fuh, I just wanna fuh
I just wanna forget you
Wake up, baby, don't you sleep, I can't take this one more week
If I can't go out to play, I can't make it one more day
I wanna play with dynamite, time is right for heavy breathing
Gettin' stone cold crazy till the dawn without a reason
I wanna take me a vacation down a long stretch of track
I'll find a new sensation and I ain't comin' back
Tired of tryin' to be what I'll never be, baby, you could never see that
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance
I don't want a romance, or a second chance
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance
I just wanna fuh, I just wanna forget
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance, I just wanna forget you
Time to take my chances, find somebody new
I just wanna fuh, I just wanna fuh, I just wanna forget you
I don't want a romance, I don't wanna dance, I just wanna forget you
Time to take my chances, find somebody new
I just wanna for, I just wanna for, I just wanna forget you
I just wanna forget you, yeah!
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Ddapp
"Revenge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful albums by Kiss."
"It was hard, but for all the devils, it was worth it. It made us realize how many mistakes we’ve made in the last ten years..." (Gene Simmons)
By kissarmy
Kiss seem rejuvenated by twenty years, the powerful riffs attack the first track of the album 'Unholy'.
'God gave rock 'n' roll to you II' is a song that excites everyone and especially moves whoever hears it because such songs are written only once.
