This tribute to
Kiss only concentrates on
Kiss' "Unmasked" album released in summer 1980. The choice of "Unmasked" is pretty astonishing, since it was
Kiss's first record since "Destroyer" that failed to go platinum. Just like the album, this tribute has its ups and downs.
Overall my favorites on this disc are the same as on the original album. It's been a while since I listened to the original album, which I always memorize as the one that has
Shandi on it. I must admit that
Shandi hits one of my soft spots. Ryan Mc Kay performs a solid version capturing all the elements that makes
Shandi so memorable.
Shameless performs 3 songs. Anyone familiar with Alexx Michaels band, knows that he is a huge
Kiss fan. The
Shameless line-up for the 3 songs is Steve Summers (Pretty Boy Floyd) vocals, Alexx (Bass), Kerri Kelli (Ratt, L.A. Guns) guitars and Mike Fasano (ex. Warrant) on drums.
Talk to Me is the best among the three. Steve Summers' powerful vocals complement
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons' power organs perfectly. The acoustic version of
Tomorrow is also worth highlighting.
Demon Drive is, like most bands on the tribute, a band formed especially for this tribute. The band consists of
Mad Max and
Casanova members. Their version of the great
What makes the world go Around has an up-dated sound, which gives the song freshness.
Easy as it seems is another album favorite of mine. The song is included twice and the perfect example that you can't hold a great song down. Both versions from Dressed to Thrill (Members of Methods of Mayhem) and Tykoon (members from Lion's Share) are well performed close to each other and the original.
Just like the "
Kiss My Ass" tribute, the downside to "Undressed" is the consistency. Also a few songs like
She's So European and
You're all that I Want are uninspired and definitely not among the best
Kiss songs. The Geminus Sect's industrial version of
Two sides of the coin is lousy with its electronic sound and programmed drums.
This tribute is a bumpy ride, but mainly a positive tour of
Kiss' 1980 album.
Written by
Michael Tuesday, May 6, 2003
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