One thing people don't talk about enough is how incredible Gene's voice sounds on this album. He didn't sing like this before, and he didn't sing like it after, and honestly I don't think he could have kept it up cuz it would have torn his voice apart. It sounds incredible. He sounds incredibly mean, but not in that pretentious way that became common in metal later. It's what makes me love songs like "Not For The Innocent", the vocal performance on that song is just incredible.
Yes! Absolutely true and, as you said, rarely mentioned! Astonishing Gene vocals all over the album. Another reason it's easily one of my overall favorites in their entire catalog.
Both COTN and LIU are just beautifully crafted studio Klazzics! They rank both #3 and #5 respectively in my studio ranking list. My thing is (let me phrase this correctly…) LIU is a smooth, consistent glass of Chardonnay that never needs the “next” button to be pressed. COTN is a wonderful mug of Irish coffee that rocks my socks off until ‘I Still Love You’ gets unceremoniously jammed in my epiglottis. But it finishes strong, however 💪. It’s unfair to pick a favorite but there it is.
I definitely think Vinnie was a better song writer than a guitarist. He was too over the top..in my opinion Bruce was musically the most talented and solid guitarist. Ace was a true Rock guitarist so alive I prefer Ace
MTV is the reason that album sold. The unveiling of taking off the makeup, and the music videos for All Hell’s Breaking Loose & Lick It Up. They were in heavy rotation 24/7.
Great review! I totally agree with your ranking on most of these tracks! I used to call record bar ( music store in my local mall); to see if the new kiss album had a release date! I called and the guy who I had got to know said it’s out next Tuesday and I was going to be surprised lol! I had no idea the make up had come off! Then they announced on MTV kiss had a special announcement! My brother and sister turned in and watched the show! I was so disappointed they took the make up off, but loved the song lick it up!
"All Hell´s Breakin´Loose" with that rapping sucks totally. Five stars?? This man has a blowup doll of Paul under his bed. -- Honestly, the album "Lick It Up" was mostly great, but it paved the road to boredom. From now on there would be one formula for every song (short intro, 2 x chorus, (bridge), short solo, chorus, chorus, fadeout or sudden end) and no song would stay under four minutes. After "Crazy Nights" I ceased to buy their albums and turned to instrumental rock music.
I also had similar background in the fact I did not have MTV I was also unaware the album was out and saw in an ad I think for Kmart and about drop my jaw and try to find a way to go pick it up immediately and just stared at that cover. I feel the same way about young and wasted I have come to appreciate that guitar riff over the years I've always loved Gimme More and A Million to One and especially Fits like a Glove that would be a five star for me the last two tracks I never liked that much and over the years I've come to appreciate them more
It is a damn shame that video to Lick It Up is so cheesy. I do, however, l❤❤ve how the video fits with the track All Hells Breakin Loose. Eric Carr saves this album incredibly more than Vinnie. Young and Wasted is truly a showpiece for him. Brilliant solo by Eric on the Lick It Up tour as well. I totally agree with each detail. Paul Stanley is at his vocal brilliance. I thought it was such a damn crock that there was an unmasking but no Ace and Peter. Gutless!
Your experience of discovering the album was very similar to mine. Biggest difference was that after the album cover caught my attention, I flipped it over a few times before I noticed the logo. It’s also my favorite non-makeup era album and I also love, love A Million To One. I appreciate your thoughts on the title track, but I am tired of it. I appreciate it’s significance, but I don’t feel the need to hear it. That being said, it is sort of on my list of what I want in an anniversary deluxe edition of the album. I want a studio version of LIU with the same stuff in the middle of the song that you get in concert. And I would love it if there was a studio version of Young And Wasted with Eric Carr on lead vocals. Nice review sir!
Appreciate your comment, Jeff! And yeah, I wasn't saying I don't understand people being fatigued by the title track. I'm fatigued, too. But over the past decade or more, I keep hearing "Oh, I never liked that song, I always hated it." And I just DON'T buy that at all. But it's the "IN thing" right now.
And on the 8th day is one of my all time favorite Gene songs....and I really like Erics drumming on this particular one. The intro is so unique. The main riff is super cool and catchy, and yes, The lirics are superb...
For my point of view, Lick it up is the best Kiss album of all time.. Yeah their first album is up there too since they are playing (almost) all the songs live still from that album. But Lick it up is on another level, even past Creatures i think. There is not a single song i would skip on this album. And i just have to say that i loved the Bruce Kulick area more than what is going on now. Now i don't give a shit...
@@HARDROCKreverie As I've said before, I like your channel 😉And now I might make it harder for you by saying... Asylum is kiss best record after their first 3... And possibly after Rock and Roll Over... My absolute favorite is Rock n Roll Over.
This is 1 of the best reviews ever for LIU. When you compared the songs to Creatures, no question the LIU songs are stronger. The production is better especially the guitar mix. Creatures stands out because of Carr's loud drumming and the songs seem they're built around his drumming. Yes Creatures is an incredible album also thanks to many ghost players but I prefer Lick it up. It also put Kiss back on the map, popular again and it set up their 80s run full of hits. Wow I never heard that Vinnie shred for Exciter. Thank u Paul for bringing in Rick Derringer! And on the 8th Day is an underrated gem to end the album. Lick it up ,my favorite non makeup album and a top 5 album. The Creatures, LIU,Animalize run is probably my favorite 3 albums in a row
Very good album. I still prefer Creatures over LIU. Saw them at Radio City Music Hall on the LIU tour. It was mesmerizing. They were firing on all cylinders and Vinnie kicked ass. LIU put the band back on the map, that I agree on.
I was at one of those Radio Aditya shows. The loudest concert I ever went to. Ear splitting. Vinnie Vincent was amazing. LIU was a great album, thanks to VV.
Paused during discussing the cover- my first glimpse was a similar shot in the Detroit Free Press- which I have several copies- but when I saw that album cover for the first time I couldn't stop staring at it. Also- I heard the song LIU on the radio the night before school (I was a Freshman) and when I told all my friends the next day they were all like "Lick it up? No way that's the title". My best friend's older brother and his friends of thought I was full of shit. Felt awesome to be to be proven right! Also my first KISS concert! Cobo Hall!
Hey Mr. Reverie, is Double Platinum worth buying? It is the only Kiss album that I have not listened to. Do you have a review posted for Double Platinum?
I have not reviewed it, but I have it and I love it. It may not be essential for you if you already have everything else. But when I was a kid DP was how a lot of us were introduced to many of those songs. I will say that I've never gotten sick of DP because there are a lot of different mixes on it that you won't find anywhere else.
Some really good points!... Creatures of the night is a great song by Paul, but a lot of his other stuff on COTN is only okay. It's really a Gene album. I LOVE Lick it up. It's haunting and dark in a way that is sincere.
I truly respect the great deal of attention you give in this review. You've made a lot of sense especially with the song Lick it Up. It's right up there with the catchy monotony of Christine sixteen. An important element to gain an attention foothold with the music listening masses. Of course Lick it up was awesome yet a whole lot less mysterious than creatures. To me it was a lot more honest.I actually saw these four during this release...perform live in Poughkeepsie N.Y. It was insanely loud and furiously "alive once again"
Hey. I was at the Poughkeepsie show too. They had a great record store in town. I forget the name. I bought Bootleg vinyl called KISS still loves You there and a full back patch non makeup with Vinnie on it which I stitched on back of my Denim jacket.!! Did you catch next show there.? ANIMALIZE.? I did. With MARK ST JOHN...😊😄😎
This album is a top three album for me as well you and I have a lot of similar taste. I have a lot of commentary I'll try to keep it to a minimum or in multiple comments I would like to First address the song lick It Up. I know it gets a lot of hate these days but you are absolutely correct it was a Battle cry it was them putting a flag back on the metal Field at the time that they belong. I remember how cool another thing coming by Judas priest was and lick it up came out. to hear that song with the chugga chugga was super cool. It's a song I would skip over today but it definitely put them back on the map.
Glad to hear it, Michael! I really appreciate your comments on these videos, it's great to get to talk to other fans about this stuff and, like you said, we do seem to have several opinions in common. I don't know that very many people can appreciate what it was like before the internet and cellphones. Haha. We basically didn't know ANYTHING about what was going on in the world if it wasn't on the evening News programs. I'll never forget discovering those magazines--probably sometime in '84, since I remember them being filled with stuff about the Crue at the time--and saying, "Man, I wish I had known about these things when I was 12!!"
I have a theory about KISS's sound. That they have 7 that encompass their career. Creatures of the Night, Lick it Up and Animalize is one. It featured basically the lineup of Carr and Vinnie. Yes Animalize featured Mark St. John but was in that style of speed lead players, so I consider those the albums as a trifecta. Anyway, the production of those three albums, I really like. COTN has the big drums and reverb which I personally like but would agree it's a bit muddy. LIU is much improved, sounds big but brighter. Heavy. Animalize is powerful and crisp. Probably just slightly improved. Lick it Up of the 3 has the best energy and better songs from top to bottom and you're correct it's all due to Paul. I think had Vinnie remained in the band Animalize would've become the best. I think Gene's songs suffered mostly from his departure.
@@firewaterMM I absolutely agree about the KISS "phases," as I think I've called them in some of these videos. And, like you said, Creatures, LIU, and Animalize definitely are one of those, which I'll be talking about in the Animalize review, for sure! Along with my thoughts on something else you touched on here that I've been thinking about a lot, lately.
Completely agree! Lick it up as the first kiss song I actually ever heard. I walked up to some kids on the playground in middle school and this was blaring out of the speaker so loud it just sounded so bright and razor sharp I had no idea what I was hearing. You told me it was kiss lick it up and I went out and got the cassette as soon as I had the $7 it took to get it. I wouldn't recommend people judging this song out of the context of the time and place where it came out, it was perfectly placed and timed!
Cast was the first rock ‘n’ roll shell that I ever saw was 1976. I love to kiss about the first four albums. After that it was over for me I was in the other metal fans like priest, Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC kiss, glam rock, just like poison party on the Wayne ha ha duh
I also wouldn't say that Vinnie Vincent saved Kiss. But to me, his influence on this Album is undeniable. To me many of those Songs sound like they could be on the first Vinnie Vincent Album....(with lower vocals of cause) Also, when I'm listening to the first Vinnie Vincent Album, I have the feeling that many Songs like Back on the Streets, Twisted or Animal could fit perfectly on the Lick it up Album. As far as I know Vinnie Vincent pushed Back on the Streets to Paul for this Album, but the didn't take it. If you listen to this Song I could very much imagine how Paul would sing it. And it would sound awesome.
I'm pretty sure you're right about Back on the Streets, yes. It's so hard for me to say anything nice about any of those VVI songs. The songs themselves are good, but I just can't get past those god-awful guitar solos on the Invasion album.
I know kiss fans rank Revenge very high but I believe LIU is their best non makeup album. Well they did all their albums without makeup in the studios lol
To this day LIU is my favourite Kiss album. It was my entry point at age 15 into Kiss and I still think it's their best. I first heard LIU on the radio and it was that chugging bass line and powerful but very simple drum beat that instantly hooked me and inspired a love of drums ever since. Within days of hearing LIU for the first time my mother started to notice the ends of broom and mop handles were suddenly around a foot shorter - I sawed off the ends to use as drumsticks, with my bed being the drums. I still occasionally have a play-through of the whole album on the drums after doing exercises. PS. On The Eighth Day - best song on the album, perhaps my all-time favourite Kiss song. Those lyrics...
AWESOME comment, paplazzzaru! Thanks for saying so! I, too, LOVE the Lick It Up album, in case you couldn't tell. Aside from all the great points you make, that album was a HUGE turning point for the band at a time when they absolutely HAD to have one. On a side note, I think maybe your mom should write to Gene and Paul and ask for some kind of broom-compensation money?? Haha Take care!
For me, Lick it Up is a strong album, but there is one track that I hate...Gimme More. It is a one star track. Creatures doesn't have a crappy track, and that is why I give Creatues the edge.
I like the heavy sound of COTN, but LIU is almost equal. I recall buying the LIU cassette in December 1983. Played it over and over while on a trip to Hawaii. An old friend of my parents (alcoholic and now long deceased) sharing the Maui condo told me "turn that shit off" after I had played it about 10 times over 3-4 days. Out of respect I stopped playing it and probably didn't listen to it until recently. I'm 64 now and it sounds good to this day. Exciter is superb and heavy. There are some other great songs on this.
Possibly my favourite KISS album. More consistent than CotN - Ia can't stand I Love It Loud and it ruins side 2 for me. LIU rocks. Vinnie is more present here than on Creatures. His Vinnie Vincent Invasion album is better than both though for me. And Paul and Gene have no idea what a good KISS album is! This album sounds more like a Vinnie Vincent album than previous KISS albums, so he was the catalyst for the change in fortune.
A lot here that I can agree with, but a lot I definitely can't, too. Did you really just say that VVI is better than Creatures AND Lick It Up?? I just want to be sure. Lol With respect (and agree or not, I thank you for your thoughts!!), while he's a gifted player, Vinnie is a putz. What level of complete a$$ do you have to be to be THAT talented, and THAT impossible to tolerate? I mean, this guy is canned by KISS, then starts his own band and gets FIRED from that, too. Fired from your own band is NOT a good look. I'm sorry but, the biggest mistake Gene and Paul made in the 80s was hiring that douchebag to do anything more than write with them instead of bringing Bruce into the band to replace Ace right away.
It would be interesting to hear the version of creatures that Vinnie preferred where creatures had more of a guitar dominance like in lick it up. But they stuck with a bigger drum sound which I love. Eric was amazing in creatures
the best none makeup album easy followed by revenge the rest suck lol carnival was ok also.... in my opinion vinnie did save kiss for me, i was done with them until creatures came out . they would have never lasted if not for vinnie yes he is a problem but still saved them
Vinnie did write over the top crap on the first invasion. It was 1986, and he was trying too hard. Back on the Streets has some shredding that is tasteful though. All Systems Go was a much better album.
I think, as a complete album, Creatures may be a better album, but I bought Lick It Up solely on the strength of the title track. I loved that song. I felt the same way about Heaven's on Fire. It sold me Animalize.
Yeah, I have no idea why so many people seem to have such a hard time admitting that they felt/feel that way, too. But I sure do. A great song is a great song. Thanks for watching!
In my personal opinion Genes' songs are better than Pauls'. That's a matter of taste. Over all I agree with you that this album should get higher rated
Enjoyed your review and having never fully listened to LIU I then did just that and I gotta say LIU is to COTN as a .99¢ hamburger is to a $10 1/2 lb burger done & seasoned to perfection. Why does "Not for the Innocent" sound so much better from the Creatures Demos as opposed to LIU? That's the best song on the album and it's over produced or something, lacks any of the cool, heavy, edgy sound of the demo. Instead it sounds weak and fluffy. But that's what plagues the entire album, KISS was embarking on the road to detestable 80's hair/glam metal. "Lick it up" is a terrible song sure, but I thought the rest of the album would be better. Heck they even shelved that unbeatable Carr drum sound from COTN. Why?? 2.5 out of 5
A change in management at Mercury Records, on top of Ace Frehley leaving the band, is the reason 'Creatures' didn't get the public exposure it deserved, hence the fail in positioning itself on the charts and poor tour sales. Personally, I didn't even know the album were coming out, and only came across it by accident, while visiting the local record store. It didn't leave my recod player again, until I could play all the tunes.
I saw an ad for Creatures in either Hit Parader or Circus and it only took up a quarter of the page along with three different ads for other bands. That was the only promotion I ever saw for the album.
@@CincinnatusPublish The executives in the music business should stick to what they know, counting money, or we wouldn't have the crap we have to put up with nowadays. Where brilliant songs and melodies once existed, we now have a fast food culture of mediocrity..
LIU is just okay. COTN destroys it. The only non makeup era album that is fantastic is Revenge. Think of allllll the filler on LIU. Revenge is great from start to finish.
They should have hired Bruce in ‘82 and kept Vinnie around as a songwriter only. It’s clear that Vinnie pushed G&P to write better songs. He just needed to be kept on a short leash. He never fit in the band as a guitarist.
i love the album ( with exception of the song lick it up ) dont like that one young and wasted is the best song kiss ever did and a million to one is pauls best ever vocal work the album itsself is the best non make up album revenge is ok but i think overrated
One thing people don't talk about enough is how incredible Gene's voice sounds on this album. He didn't sing like this before, and he didn't sing like it after, and honestly I don't think he could have kept it up cuz it would have torn his voice apart. It sounds incredible. He sounds incredibly mean, but not in that pretentious way that became common in metal later.
It's what makes me love songs like "Not For The Innocent", the vocal performance on that song is just incredible.
Young and wasted vocal is just beyond incredible
Yes! Absolutely true and, as you said, rarely mentioned! Astonishing Gene vocals all over the album. Another reason it's easily one of my overall favorites in their entire catalog.
Both COTN and LIU are just beautifully crafted studio Klazzics! They rank both #3 and #5 respectively in my studio ranking list. My thing is (let me phrase this correctly…) LIU is a smooth, consistent glass of Chardonnay that never needs the “next” button to be pressed. COTN is a wonderful mug of Irish coffee that rocks my socks off until ‘I Still Love You’ gets unceremoniously jammed in my epiglottis. But it finishes strong, however 💪. It’s unfair to pick a favorite but there it is.
Haha! Great way to put it!
I definitely think Vinnie was a better song writer than a guitarist. He was too over the top..in my opinion Bruce was musically the most talented and solid guitarist. Ace was a true Rock guitarist so alive I prefer Ace
Steven, I agree with you on all of that.
Thanks for watching!
MTV is the reason that album sold. The unveiling of taking off the makeup, and the music videos for All Hell’s Breaking Loose & Lick It Up. They were in heavy rotation 24/7.
Great review! I totally agree with your ranking on most of these tracks! I used to call record bar ( music store in my local mall); to see if the new kiss album had a release date! I called and the guy who I had got to know said it’s out next Tuesday and I was going to be surprised lol! I had no idea the make up had come off! Then they announced on MTV kiss had a special announcement! My brother and sister turned in and watched the show! I was so disappointed they took the make up off, but loved the song lick it up!
vinnie kicked a** on this album. always wondered what KISS would have been like had he stayed in the band for the long haul.
Probably crazy 🤣
Michael James Jackson + KISS = magic. So, of course, G&P never worked with him again.
The examples of Vinnie's lack of tasteful soloing sounds exactly like Mark St John!
"All Hell´s Breakin´Loose" with that rapping sucks totally. Five stars?? This man has a blowup doll of Paul under his bed. -- Honestly, the album "Lick It Up" was mostly great, but it paved the road to boredom. From now on there would be one formula for every song (short intro, 2 x chorus, (bridge), short solo, chorus, chorus, fadeout or sudden end) and no song would stay under four minutes. After "Crazy Nights" I ceased to buy their albums and turned to instrumental rock music.
I also had similar background in the fact I did not have MTV I was also unaware the album was out and saw in an ad I think for Kmart and about drop my jaw and try to find a way to go pick it up immediately and just stared at that cover. I feel the same way about young and wasted I have come to appreciate that guitar riff over the years I've always loved Gimme More and A Million to One and especially Fits like a Glove that would be a five star for me the last two tracks I never liked that much and over the years I've come to appreciate them more
It is a damn shame that video to Lick It Up is so cheesy. I do, however, l❤❤ve how the video fits with the track All Hells Breakin Loose. Eric Carr saves this album incredibly more than Vinnie. Young and Wasted is truly a showpiece for him. Brilliant solo by Eric on the Lick It Up tour as well. I totally agree with each detail. Paul Stanley is at his vocal brilliance. I thought it was such a damn crock that there was an unmasking but no Ace and Peter. Gutless!
Your experience of discovering the album was very similar to mine. Biggest difference was that after the album cover caught my attention, I flipped it over a few times before I noticed the logo.
It’s also my favorite non-makeup era album and I also love, love A Million To One. I appreciate your thoughts on the title track, but I am tired of it. I appreciate it’s significance, but I don’t feel the need to hear it.
That being said, it is sort of on my list of what I want in an anniversary deluxe edition of the album. I want a studio version of LIU with the same stuff in the middle of the song that you get in concert. And I would love it if there was a studio version of Young And Wasted with Eric Carr on lead vocals.
Nice review sir!
Appreciate your comment, Jeff!
And yeah, I wasn't saying I don't understand people being fatigued by the title track. I'm fatigued, too. But over the past decade or more, I keep hearing "Oh, I never liked that song, I always hated it." And I just DON'T buy that at all. But it's the "IN thing" right now.
Just the sound of those drums in And On The 8th Day was awesome. Eric was smashing the shit out of them.
YES!
And on the 8th day is one of my all time favorite Gene songs....and I really like Erics drumming on this particular one. The intro is so unique. The main riff is super cool and catchy, and yes, The lirics are superb...
For my point of view, Lick it up is the best Kiss album of all time.. Yeah their first album is up there too since they are playing (almost) all the songs live still from that album. But Lick it up is on another level, even past Creatures i think. There is not a single song i would skip on this album. And i just have to say that i loved the Bruce Kulick area more than what is going on now. Now i don't give a shit...
I clearly also feel very strongly about this album. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
@@HARDROCKreverie
As I've said before, I like your channel 😉And now I might make it harder for you by saying... Asylum is kiss best record after their first 3... And possibly after Rock and Roll Over... My absolute favorite is Rock n Roll Over.
@@perwarmell5741 Haha! Rock and Roll Over is fantastic. Asylum, I like, but I won't go quite that far.
Creatures and LIU r sister albums. Much like RNRO and LG. Gimme More brings LIU down a little, but it’s still awesome
This is 1 of the best reviews ever for LIU. When you compared the songs to Creatures, no question the LIU songs are stronger. The production is better especially the guitar mix. Creatures stands out because of Carr's loud drumming and the songs seem they're built around his drumming. Yes Creatures is an incredible album also thanks to many ghost players but I prefer Lick it up. It also put Kiss back on the map, popular again and it set up their 80s run full of hits. Wow I never heard that Vinnie shred for Exciter. Thank u Paul for bringing in Rick Derringer! And on the 8th Day is an underrated gem to end the album. Lick it up ,my favorite non makeup album and a top 5 album. The Creatures, LIU,Animalize run is probably my favorite 3 albums in a row
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
Thanks for watching!
Very good album. I still prefer Creatures over LIU. Saw them at Radio City Music Hall on the LIU tour. It was mesmerizing. They were firing on all cylinders and Vinnie kicked ass. LIU put the band back on the map, that I agree on.
They played two nights. I was at the second show. The sound quality was amazing because of Radio City Music Hall's acoustics.
I was at one of those Radio Aditya shows. The loudest concert I ever went to. Ear splitting. Vinnie Vincent was amazing. LIU was a great album, thanks to VV.
Paused during discussing the cover- my first glimpse was a similar shot in the Detroit Free Press- which I have several copies- but when I saw that album cover for the first time I couldn't stop staring at it. Also- I heard the song LIU on the radio the night before school (I was a Freshman) and when I told all my friends the next day they were all like "Lick it up? No way that's the title". My best friend's older brother and his friends of thought I was full of shit. Felt awesome to be to be proven right! Also my first KISS concert! Cobo Hall!
OMG - LIU tour at Cobo Hall?? Seriously? Talk about my "wish list"! That's awesome!
Thanks for watching!
Hey Mr. Reverie, is Double Platinum worth buying? It is the only Kiss album that I have not listened to. Do you have a review posted for Double Platinum?
I have not reviewed it, but I have it and I love it. It may not be essential for you if you already have everything else. But when I was a kid DP was how a lot of us were introduced to many of those songs. I will say that I've never gotten sick of DP because there are a lot of different mixes on it that you won't find anywhere else.
Some really good points!... Creatures of the night is a great song by Paul, but a lot of his other stuff on COTN is only okay. It's really a Gene album. I LOVE Lick it up. It's haunting and dark in a way that is sincere.
what a voice Stanley had - miss that so MUCH - & Eric Carr fantastic drummer with a good voice - love Bruce Kulick
I truly respect the great deal of attention you give in this review. You've made a lot of sense especially with the song Lick it Up. It's right up there with the catchy monotony of Christine sixteen. An important element to gain an attention foothold with the music listening masses. Of course Lick it up was awesome yet a whole lot less mysterious than creatures. To me it was a lot more honest.I actually saw these four during this release...perform live in Poughkeepsie N.Y.
It was insanely loud and furiously "alive once again"
Wish I could have seen one of those shows, too!
Thanks for watching!
@@HARDROCKreverie I think your love of kiss may outweigh mine a bit. Im truly stuck in the past with the originals. Nostalgic of 1975 to 77
Hey. I was at the Poughkeepsie show too. They had a great record store in town. I forget the name. I bought Bootleg vinyl called KISS still loves You there and a full back patch non makeup with Vinnie on it which I stitched on back of my Denim jacket.!! Did you catch next show there.? ANIMALIZE.? I did. With MARK ST JOHN...😊😄😎
This album is a top three album for me as well you and I have a lot of similar taste. I have a lot of commentary I'll try to keep it to a minimum or in multiple comments I would like to First address the song lick It Up. I know it gets a lot of hate these days but you are absolutely correct it was a Battle cry it was them putting a flag back on the metal Field at the time that they belong. I remember how cool another thing coming by Judas priest was and lick it up came out. to hear that song with the chugga chugga was super cool. It's a song I would skip over today but it definitely put them back on the map.
Glad to hear it, Michael! I really appreciate your comments on these videos, it's great to get to talk to other fans about this stuff and, like you said, we do seem to have several opinions in common.
I don't know that very many people can appreciate what it was like before the internet and cellphones. Haha. We basically didn't know ANYTHING about what was going on in the world if it wasn't on the evening News programs. I'll never forget discovering those magazines--probably sometime in '84, since I remember them being filled with stuff about the Crue at the time--and saying, "Man, I wish I had known about these things when I was 12!!"
I have a theory about KISS's sound. That they have 7 that encompass their career. Creatures of the Night, Lick it Up and Animalize is one. It featured basically the lineup of Carr and Vinnie. Yes Animalize featured Mark St. John but was in that style of speed lead players, so I consider those the albums as a trifecta. Anyway, the production of those three albums, I really like. COTN has the big drums and reverb which I personally like but would agree it's a bit muddy. LIU is much improved, sounds big but brighter. Heavy. Animalize is powerful and crisp. Probably just slightly improved. Lick it Up of the 3 has the best energy and better songs from top to bottom and you're correct it's all due to Paul. I think had Vinnie remained in the band Animalize would've become the best. I think Gene's songs suffered mostly from his departure.
@@firewaterMM I absolutely agree about the KISS "phases," as I think I've called them in some of these videos. And, like you said, Creatures, LIU, and Animalize definitely are one of those, which I'll be talking about in the Animalize review, for sure! Along with my thoughts on something else you touched on here that I've been thinking about a lot, lately.
Completely agree! Lick it up as the first kiss song I actually ever heard. I walked up to some kids on the playground in middle school and this was blaring out of the speaker so loud it just sounded so bright and razor sharp I had no idea what I was hearing. You told me it was kiss lick it up and I went out and got the cassette as soon as I had the $7 it took to get it. I wouldn't recommend people judging this song out of the context of the time and place where it came out, it was perfectly placed and timed!
Cast was the first rock ‘n’ roll shell that I ever saw was 1976. I love to kiss about the first four albums. After that it was over for me I was in the other metal fans like priest, Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC kiss, glam rock, just like poison party on the Wayne ha ha duh
Kiss lost me in the 80s but I may have to give this album a listen. It's been awhile since I heard it.
I also wouldn't say that Vinnie Vincent saved Kiss. But to me, his influence on this Album is undeniable. To me many of those Songs sound like they could be on the first Vinnie Vincent Album....(with lower vocals of cause) Also, when I'm listening to the first Vinnie Vincent Album, I have the feeling that many Songs like Back on the Streets, Twisted or Animal could fit perfectly on the Lick it up Album.
As far as I know Vinnie Vincent pushed Back on the Streets to Paul for this Album, but the didn't take it. If you listen to this Song I could very much imagine how Paul would sing it. And it would sound awesome.
I'm pretty sure you're right about Back on the Streets, yes.
It's so hard for me to say anything nice about any of those VVI songs. The songs themselves are good, but I just can't get past those god-awful guitar solos on the Invasion album.
People think Vinnie saved KISS because the three albums before this all sounded nothing like that...... Hard not to believe it a bit.
is there any specific reason as to what caused Paul's singing voice problems
Much as I love Creatures, Lick it up, is my fave 80's KISS album
Same here. Thanks for watching!
I know kiss fans rank Revenge very high but I believe LIU is their best non makeup album.
Well they did all their albums without makeup in the studios lol
I do agree 👍
Amazing album. Like creatures. All killer. Zero filler. Ok besides danger and gimme more
To this day LIU is my favourite Kiss album. It was my entry point at age 15 into Kiss and I still think it's their best. I first heard LIU on the radio and it was that chugging bass line and powerful but very simple drum beat that instantly hooked me and inspired a love of drums ever since. Within days of hearing LIU for the first time my mother started to notice the ends of broom and mop handles were suddenly around a foot shorter - I sawed off the ends to use as drumsticks, with my bed being the drums. I still occasionally have a play-through of the whole album on the drums after doing exercises.
PS. On The Eighth Day - best song on the album, perhaps my all-time favourite Kiss song. Those lyrics...
AWESOME comment, paplazzzaru! Thanks for saying so! I, too, LOVE the Lick It Up album, in case you couldn't tell.
Aside from all the great points you make, that album was a HUGE turning point for the band at a time when they absolutely HAD to have one.
On a side note, I think maybe your mom should write to Gene and Paul and ask for some kind of broom-compensation money?? Haha
Take care!
Totally agree with your approach of the album. I totally relate with the whole walmart thing...kuddos!
@@elNunni69 Thanks for watching!
I know im a bit late haha but I listened to this whole album yesterday and i was shocked at how much i love this album not a bad song on there
YES! Me too 😀
For me, Lick it Up is a strong album, but there is one track that I hate...Gimme More. It is a one star track. Creatures doesn't have a crappy track, and that is why I give Creatues the edge.
I love Gimme More! Though, I realize, many fans do not.
I like the heavy sound of COTN, but LIU is almost equal. I recall buying the LIU cassette in December 1983. Played it over and over while on a trip to Hawaii. An old friend of my parents (alcoholic and now long deceased) sharing the Maui condo told me "turn that shit off" after I had played it about 10 times over 3-4 days. Out of respect I stopped playing it and probably didn't listen to it until recently. I'm 64 now and it sounds good to this day. Exciter is superb and heavy. There are some other great songs on this.
Possibly my favourite KISS album. More consistent than CotN - Ia can't stand I Love It Loud and it ruins side 2 for me. LIU rocks. Vinnie is more present here than on Creatures. His Vinnie Vincent Invasion album is better than both though for me. And Paul and Gene have no idea what a good KISS album is!
This album sounds more like a Vinnie Vincent album than previous KISS albums, so he was the catalyst for the change in fortune.
A lot here that I can agree with, but a lot I definitely can't, too. Did you really just say that VVI is better than Creatures AND Lick It Up?? I just want to be sure. Lol
With respect (and agree or not, I thank you for your thoughts!!), while he's a gifted player, Vinnie is a putz. What level of complete a$$ do you have to be to be THAT talented, and THAT impossible to tolerate? I mean, this guy is canned by KISS, then starts his own band and gets FIRED from that, too. Fired from your own band is NOT a good look.
I'm sorry but, the biggest mistake Gene and Paul made in the 80s was hiring that douchebag to do anything more than write with them instead of bringing Bruce into the band to replace Ace right away.
I agree that lick IT up is better
It would be interesting to hear the version of creatures that Vinnie preferred where creatures had more of a guitar dominance like in lick it up. But they stuck with a bigger drum sound which I love. Eric was amazing in creatures
Paul Stanley really shined in the 80s gene had a hard time
I agree on The Eighth Day great dissonant riff and Gene’s best lyrics of any song!!!
Great drum tone on Creatures
the best none makeup album easy followed by revenge the rest suck lol carnival was ok also.... in my opinion vinnie did save kiss for me, i was done with them until creatures came out . they would have never lasted if not for vinnie yes he is a problem but still saved them
Vinnie did write over the top crap on the first invasion. It was 1986, and he was trying too hard. Back on the Streets has some shredding that is tasteful though. All Systems Go was a much better album.
magical time for sure
I think, as a complete album, Creatures may be a better album, but I bought Lick It Up solely on the strength of the title track. I loved that song. I felt the same way about Heaven's on Fire. It sold me Animalize.
Yeah, I have no idea why so many people seem to have such a hard time admitting that they felt/feel that way, too. But I sure do. A great song is a great song.
Thanks for watching!
In my personal opinion Genes' songs are better than Pauls'. That's a matter of taste. Over all I agree with you that this album should get higher rated
Both albums are great you never hear negative feedback about either unless you read Circus magazine in 1982!!!
Gimme More is one of my favourite songs.
Mine too!
Enjoyed your review and having never fully listened to LIU I then did just that and I gotta say LIU is to COTN as a .99¢ hamburger is to a $10 1/2 lb burger done & seasoned to perfection. Why does "Not for the Innocent" sound so much better from the Creatures Demos as opposed to LIU? That's the best song on the album and it's over produced or something, lacks any of the cool, heavy, edgy sound of the demo. Instead it sounds weak and fluffy. But that's what plagues the entire album, KISS was embarking on the road to detestable 80's hair/glam metal. "Lick it up" is a terrible song sure, but I thought the rest of the album would be better. Heck they even shelved that unbeatable Carr drum sound from COTN. Why??
2.5 out of 5
Well, to each their own. Respectfully but completely disagree.
A change in management at Mercury Records, on top of Ace Frehley leaving the band, is the reason 'Creatures' didn't get the public exposure it deserved, hence the fail in positioning itself on the charts and poor tour sales.
Personally, I didn't even know the album were coming out, and only came across it by accident, while visiting the local record store. It didn't leave my recod player again, until I could play all the tunes.
I saw an ad for Creatures in either Hit Parader or Circus and it only took up a quarter of the page along with three different ads for other bands. That was the only promotion I ever saw for the album.
@@CincinnatusPublish The executives in the music business should stick to what they know, counting money, or we wouldn't have the crap we have to put up with nowadays. Where brilliant songs and melodies once existed, we now have a fast food culture of mediocrity..
didnt like Pauls guitars the leopard thing ummm NO did like the V guitar
LIU is just okay. COTN destroys it. The only non makeup era album that is fantastic is Revenge. Think of allllll the filler on LIU. Revenge is great from start to finish.
I agree with you on Revenge.
They should have hired Bruce in ‘82 and kept Vinnie around as a songwriter only. It’s clear that Vinnie pushed G&P to write better songs. He just needed to be kept on a short leash. He never fit in the band as a guitarist.
Certainly an interesting idea. I would have liked to see how that might have turned out!
@@HARDROCKreverie I’m sure Vinnie would’ve found a way to screw that up, too. 😆
@@MondoMiami uh, yeah. Of course. Lol
no chance about VV solo crap IMO
worst Gene well 2 of them -Mr. Blackwell then Boomerang
Both are bangers
LIU
no QURSTION LIU
i love the album ( with exception of the song lick it up ) dont like that one young and wasted is the best song kiss ever did and a million to one is pauls best ever vocal work the album itsself is the best non make up album revenge is ok but i think overrated
Thanks for watching!
The photoshopped cover. In Canada this album got zero airplay.
There was no Photoshop in 1983. They did it the hard way.