Tale Of The Tape:
Dell DJ 30 (1st gen)
3138 songs (265 full albums), including all KISS albums

KISS is my favorite band but I have a hard time listening to them sometimes. I know all the albums by heart and my live bootlegs are really just a re-hash of the same songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love the music but it’s hard to get excited when it’s all second nature to you, there’s nothing to shake it up, nothing new. Except Shuffle Mode. That’s how I listen to KISS usually…..on shuffle…..so I can get variety and deep tracks without searching. Here’s the first 25 played (band-song-album):

1. ‘Danger’ – Creatures Of The Night (1982)
2. ‘Two Sides Of The Coin’ – Unmasked (1980)
3. ‘While The City Sleeps’ – Animalize (1984)
4. ‘Speedin’ Back To My Baby’ – Ace Frehley (1978)
5. ‘Mainline’ – Hotter Than Hell (1974)
6. ‘X-Ray Eyes’ – Dynasty (1979)
7. ‘Domino’ – Revenge (1992)
8. ‘Only You’ – Music from The Elder (1981)
9. ‘Sure Know Something’ – Dynasty (1979)
10. ‘I Stole Your Love’ – Love Gun (1977)
11. ‘All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose’ – Lick It Up (1983)
12. ‘It’s Alright’ – Paul Stanley (1978)
13. ‘In My Head’ – Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
14. ‘Into The Void’ – Psycho Circus (1998)
15. ‘Murder In High-Heels’ – Animalize (1984)
16. ‘Tunnel Of Love’ – Gene Simmons (1978)
17. ‘Who Wants To Be Lonely’ – Asylum (1985)
18. ‘Little Caesar’ – Hot In The Shade (1989)
19. ‘Take Me’ – Rock’n Roll Over (1976)
20. ‘Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell’ – Hot In The Shade (1989)
21. ‘I Still Love You’ – Creatures Of The Night (1982)
22. ‘Makin’ Love’ – Rock’n Roll Over (1976)
23. ‘Let Me Know’ – KISS (1974)
24. ‘Do You Love Me’ – Destroyer (1976)
25. ‘Hell Or High Water’ – Crazy Nights (1987)

Bonus Track: ‘All the Way’ – Hotter Than Hell (1974)

I’ve been in a major KISS mood this weekend. Lately, I listen to KISS shuffled on my Dell DJ but I also took the time to listen to some albums. Here’s the list in order:

Rock And Roll Over (1976) – My favorite KISS album of all-time, also my first at age five (1977). Favorite songs: ‘Mr. Speed’, ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Ladies’ Room’, ‘Love’em And Leave’em’. I get sick of ‘Calling Dr. Love’ so I usually skip it.

Creatures Of The Night (1982) – My second favorite KISS platter. This is one heavy album, a good slice of early ’80s Metal. Favorite tracks: ‘Keep Me Comin’, ‘Creatures Of The Night’, ‘Saint & Sinner’, ‘War Machine’. I have always said that KISS should have recorded this kind of album in ’81 instead of THE ELDER, they might have regained their popularity with the makeup on.

Unmasked (1980) – I know it’s light and Pop/Disco oriented but there are catchy tunes on this record. I like the songs Ace Frehley sings lead the best: ‘Torpedo Girl’, ‘Talk To Me’, ‘Two Sides Of The Coin’. I also dig ‘Shandi’, it’s Pop but it’s good. ‘Naked City’ blows!

Paul Stanley (1978) – In my opinion, the second best solo album (Ace is first) and the most KISS-like. Favorites: ‘Move On’, ‘Tonight You Belong To Me’, ‘Goodbye’, and ‘Love In Chains’. Paul came up with a solid record but it was too safe, it sounded just like a KISS album and took few chances.

Gene Simmons (1978) – I had to listen to this to see if it’s aged better. I listened to it a couple weeks back also and it’s still an OK record. The nice thing is that Gene had balls and took chances, he broke from the KISS mold. Favorites: ‘Radioactive’, ‘See You Tonite’, ‘Burning Up With Fever’. Worst song is ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’…..why?

Peter Criss (1978) – I figured I was on a roll so I might as well keep going with the solos. Peter’s album is different but good. Another member that broke from the KISS mold and took chances, I can respect that. Favorites: ‘You Matter To Me’, ‘Hooked On Rock’n Roll’, ‘Kiss The Girl Goodbye’. I like Peter’s voice a lot, this album ages well if your in the mood for something different.

(I didn’t bother to play the Ace Frehley (1978) solo album because that’s the solo platter I reach for the most.)

Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997) – This is the closest thing to new music we’ve had from the band. I had the bootleg for this way before it was officially released and I was really looking forward to an official release, I’m glad they put it out. Favorite songs: ‘Childhood’s End’, ‘Rain’, ‘Master & Slave’, ‘Jungle’, and ‘Seduction Of The Innocent’.

KISS (1974) – I went to the end with CARNIVAL OF SOULS, so I went to the beginning. I’ve seen every song on this album live except for ‘Love Theme from KISS’, ‘Let Me Know’, and ‘Kissin’ Time’. Favorites: All of them, except ‘Kissin’ Time’.