“She’s a dancer, a romancer. I’m a Capricorn and she’s a Cancer.”
Still looking for a hit album, KISS returned to the studio in February of 1975, four short months after the release of Hotter Than Hell. By March, the band released their third studio album, Dressed To Kill. While it sold better than its predecessor, the album still didn’t generate much in the way of profits for KISS. Little did the band know that just a few months later, the live version of one of Dressed To Kill‘s singles, Rock And Roll All Nite, would help catapult the band to stardom.
The album featured a photo of the band on the cover. All four members of the group were dressed in suits. Three of the suits, the ill-fitting ones, were provided by manager Bill Aucoin from his own closet. Only Peter Criss had a suit of his own. The fact that the suits fit Paul, Ace, and Gene poorly only added to the appeal of the cover and it has since become a favorite cover of many fans. It’s so popular that the band revisited the look with designer John Varvatos in 2014…..with tailored suits.
The album featured ten tracks. Two singles were released. “Rock And Roll All Nite” peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, “C’mon And Love Me,” failed to chart. The album itself managed to reach #32 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart making it the highest charting album for KISS prior to the release of Alive! in September of 1975.
Track Listing:
- Room Service
- Two Timer
- Ladies In Waiting
- Getaway
- Rock Bottom
- C’mon And Love Me
- Anything For My Baby
- She
- Love Her All I Can
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Personnel: Peter Criss (vocals, backing vocals, drums), Gene Simmons (vocals, backing vocals, bass), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, backing vocals), Paul Stanley (vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar).
The album sounds more urgent than Hotter Than Hell in my opinion. I don’t know if that’s the best way to describe it, but there’s something about this album that sounds as if it’s out to prove something to the world but it slightly misses the mark. Maybe the band is weary from the road or maybe they are desperate to hit with a song, but this album feels rushed (but not in a bad way). Ace’s solos have more punch to them. Pete’s drums roll along with perfect boogie woogie timing. Gene’s bass sounds amazing and works perfectly with Pete’s skin pounding. Paul is Paul. Of all of the members of the band, he’s been the most consistent over the years. He delivers exactly what he needs to deliver and does it with attitude.
My favorite song on the album is “Getaway.” It’s the only song on the album that features Peter Criss’ raspy voice on vocals and he really screeches out the lyrics on this rocker. “Room Service,” loaded with innuendo as any great KISS track should, is another favorite. My favorite lyric from any KISS track is also on this album. It’s “She’s a dancer, a romancer. I’m a Capricorn and she’s a cancer” from “C’mon And Love Me.” That song and pretty much all of the songs on this album, are some of my favorite tunes by the band. “She” and “Love Her All I Can” feature two of my favorite Ace Frehley solos. “Rock Bottom” has a great lead in that sets up Paul’s ripping lead vocals. I really like this album on the whole. There’s no filler, tons of amazing Ace solos, and great vocals by Peter, Paul, and Gene.
The album is simply fun to listen to at a high volume. The giant in the room is obviously “Rock And Roll All Nite” but it’s just one piece of the album. Hotter Than Hell was sludgy and wonderful. Dressed To Kill is more polished but still kicks you in the teeth. It’s a harbinger of the great things that are coming later in 1975. It’s KISS finally proving to the world that they are ready to hit it big.
Thanks for checking out my review. KISS’ next release, Alive!, isn’t a studio release so I won’t give it a full review. That doesn’t mean that I might throw in a few of my thoughts on the album next week. I’m just getting warmed up with my reviews of the KISS studio albums. This is going to be fun. I hope that you’re enjoying the ride!
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