Tunes: KISS 40

Decades of Decibels

KISS has been around for over forty years as of this writing. Over the New Year holiday, they performed live in Dubai at Atlantis in what they dubbed the KISS 2020 Goodbye Concert. In true KISS fashion, they went over the top with the pyrotechnics and managed to break two Guinness World Records in the process. They are now the proud owners of the records for Highest Flame Projection and Most Flame Projections Launched Simultaneously, both in a live concert. With that in mind, I thought that now would be a good time to take a look at the band’s 2014 compilation album, KISS 40 Years: Decades of Decibels.

KISS releasing compilation albums and greatest hits packages is nothing new, but this particular compilation rises above the pack with not only its unique track listing, but with its selection of songs in general. To start, the album features one track from every album, both studio and live, ever released by the band. It also features tracks from the Instant Live albums, other compilations, and one previously unreleased song called Reputation. The Japanese release of the album also features a live version of Hell Or Hallelujah.

What I love most about this compilation is the fact that gives both longtime fans and newcomers something to listen to by providing primarily live versions of their biggest hits and deeper studio cuts that a casual listener might not recognize. Let’s be honest, how many casual fans can say that they know and/or remember the songs “Nothin’ To Lose,” “Jungle,” and “You Matter To Me” prior to hearing them on this compilation? Fans of the original lineup or the No Makeup era might not be familiar with some of KISS’ later tunes like “Hell Or Hallelujah” and “Modern Day Delilah.”

All of the band’s past and present members are recognized on the album, from the original four of Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss, to later members such as Eric Carr, Vinnie Vincent, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer. Even oft forgotten guitarist Mark St. John, who only appeared on the Animalize album (1984) and only appeared at two full live concerts, is given a nod with Heaven’s On Fire.

My favorite tracks on the album include live versions of Crazy, Crazy Nights, Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, and Rock And Roll All Nite, a demo of God Of Thunder featuring Paul Stanley on vocals, and multiple tracks from the band produced throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, a time mostly forgotten on other KISS compilations.

Of course, being a massive fan of KISS, I own most of the albums that these tracks are on, the only exceptions being the Instant Live release and Sonic Boom Over Europe. That being said, it’s great to just grab this album, toss it in the old CD player (or stream the digital download from my phone), and rock out to it without having to worry about switching out albums. I could listen to the other compilations and greatest hits albums that I own, but they aren’t as loaded as this album is in my opinion.

The album also serves as a great timeline for the band’s sound over the years. You can hear the influence of newcomers such as Vincent and Kulick on the guitars and the massive sound that Eric Carr brought to the band when Peter Criss exited. You can also hear KISS’ style change from hard rock to glam to heavy metal and then back to their classic sound (with a short-lived romp with grunge thrown in for good measure) while listening to the album. It’s a great little trip through the career of one of the biggest bands of all time.

As a KISS completionist, I was going to buy this album regardless of what tracks were on it, but it’s nice to know that KISS put some thought into this collection instead of just slapping in the standard hits. I consider this album to be a great way to introduce new and/or casual fans to a bigger range of KISS’ music. Many other fans and critics disagree with my opinion of the album, but I proudly stand by my statement.

If you’re looking for a one-album collection of KISS tunes, I definitely recommend KISS 40. It has most of their biggest hits in live versions, deeper cuts and demos than other similar collections, and a great run of tracks from the 80’s and 90’s that don’t get as much attention as the classics.

Thanks for checking out my post. Let me know what you think of this album or any other KISS album in the comments!