Kiss - Alive! [2 LP] [Live]

You Wanted The Best Studio Live Album, You Got The Best!

People have been arguing about this not being a "real" live album for years, but here's what's really important...IT ROCKS! The reason KISS probably couldn't get the sound they were looking for on stage was becuase of the other aspects of their performance. The choreography, the explosions, etc. etc. No live album is perfect and it doesn't have to be, but KISS probably wanted their fans to have a really good quality sounding album as a concert souvenier. After my first album was released, the newspaper asked me to list the top 5 albums that inspired me. My number one choice was KISS: Alive! The rest I chose were studio albums. Does it really matter how an album is made as long as the end result inspires and excites people? I think not. November 16, 2008

Great packaging, not sure of the sound quality

I won't take the time to review the Alive album itself, as that has already been done to death. One of the greatest live albums ever!! Nuff said.

This collection is a new reissuing of the timeless classic by "Back to Black" It's got all the original packaging, which includes an 8 pg booket. Just like it's 1975 all over again. Even the LP labels were recreated.

The vinyl itself is high quality 180 Gram. You can tell it's thicker then standard issue. I haven't fully made an opinion on The sound itself. These "Back in Black" series of reissues have been getting critsized by audiophiles, stating they they are using compression in the mastering. If that is indeed the case, then you are just as well off listening to the 1997 "Remastered" cd.

I haven't had a chance to compare it to a 1st pressing of Alive from 1975, so maybe I'll update this once I get the chance.

I give this 4 stars for the great collectability of the piece, if nothing more. All original packaging with great repro of the cover. High quality materials were used. I'd love to see the rest of KISS' back catalog brought out this way.

Amazon's price is more then fair for a 2LP set. I don't regreat buying this at all, even if the sound doesn't measure up to the original. You won't either. October 30, 2008

Most underrated album ever.

Why is Ace Frehley such an influential guitarist? Because of what he did during KISS' live performances. And KISS "Alive!" album is a perfect example. This album is simply amazing, and the magic of the original KISS lineup is shown off in this album. Alive! starts off with Deuce, and in my personal opinion the original is better, and I would rather go listen to the original recording than this one. The 2nd song "Strutter" is again not as good as listening to the original version. the 3rd song "Got to Choose" is tight, and played almost to a tee, the guitar solo has so much soul it is awesome to listen to. The 4th song "Hotter Than Hell" is another KISS tune that is underrated, the guitar riff in this version is not as loud as in the original version. the 5th song is where things start to get really good, and the groove of the band begins to show, as Ace starts to pull out some of his tricks, "Firehouse" is one of the top tracks on this album the guitar solo in the middle is extended as Ace adds a major groove to the solo that gives the "larger than life" kinda feeling. Track 6 "Nothin' to Lose" is another KISS song that sounds cool live cause they add the three pauses after the guitar solo which sounds so groovy. Track 7 "C'mon and Love Me" sounds better on "Dressed To Kill" in my opinion, it's good on here too, but the original doesn't have the crowd in the background. Track 8 "Parasite" really shows that Ace Frehley was a very talented guitarist, a very tuff riff to play and Ace plays it so effortlessly and quick in the live version. Track 9 "She" is possibly the best song on the album, (or at least fairly close) Ace pulls out some extremely cool guitar tricks on this track, just listening to it it really makes you wish you were their witnessing Ace do all this. THen track 10 "Watchin' You" which in my opinion is better on the "Hotter than Hell" album but only because of the crowd noise. Track 11 "100, 000 years" is great, it has cool guitar and a pretty cool drum solo from Peter Criss that lasts a good 7 minutes or so. Track 12 "Black Diamond" is classic live KISS, any old timer KISS fan should know this, Black Diamond is an underrated KISS tune, and this version should tell you why. Track 13 "Rock Bottom" is awesome, again Ace shows his personality in the guitar solo here. Track 14 "Cold Gin" is flatout special, the band has a chemistry in this that almost gives you goosebumps, and they rock it out a little bit there at the end. "Rock 'n' Roll all Nite" sounds great as well live especially with the awesome guitar solo added in the middle, the main riff is not as loud and clear as in the original but again, it's live. The last track is in my opinion the best song on the album period, "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" is THE most underrated KISS song when played live. Ace pulls out all kinds of tricks, the singing you can feel the energy from Gene, and it's almost like Ace plays better because he's on stage in front of a huge crowd, the live version of this song never gets old, and is by far the greatest live KISS song. October 26, 2008

KILLER LP!!!

This LP is incredible! An exact repro of the first 1975 pressing. Every detail, for the dedicated KISS fan, is here! Classic Casablanca labels, gatefold, booklet and even the old innersleeves! And the sound...amazing!!
A must buy for KISS collectors!!! October 24, 2008

Possibly the Rockin-ist album of all time

When this album was first released, Kiss was taking the rock and roll world by storm. Even though it has been several decades since that happened, Alive is still one of the most powerful heavy metal rock albums ever produced. I loved this as a teen. Who would ever think that my 10 year old kids would also love it 30 years later? Keep on rockin! October 3, 2008

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