Unmasked

Kiss - Unmasked

Unmasked
List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $4.65
You Save: $7.33 (61%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.54 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Listen soundtracks from this album


(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

CD Details

Artist: Kiss
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 1997-10-07
Music Label: Island / Mercury
Soundtracks:
  1. Is That You?
  2. Shandi
  3. Talk To Me
  4. Naked City
  5. What Makes The World Go 'Round
  6. Tomorrow
  7. Two Side Of The Coin
  8. She's So European
  9. Easy As It Seems
  10. Torpedo Girl
  11. You're All that I Want

Music reviews of Unmasked

Music Review: The title should've been MASKED...
Rating: 3 Stars

By 1980, Kiss were in turmoil. Peter Criss was gone (Anton Fig plays all drums on the album) and Ace Frehley wasn't too far behind as he was getting disgruntled with the band's new music direction coupled with the loss of Peter. After Dynasty did not merit the success Kiss had wanted and that it was starting to tear apart the Kiss Army, they tried to create an album that everybody - especially radio - would want to hear. Not everyone felt their sentiments in the USA but in Europe - especially Australia - Unmasked was one of Kiss' biggest sellers and they played overseas to some of their largest crowds ever. The only positives that came from this CD in the United States was their children fan base grew considerably, Shandi was a minor hit, and it was certified Gold by the RIAA two months after its release.

Kiss' Unmasked ranks up there with the Elder, Crazy Nights, Hot in the Shade, and Carnival of Souls as their most maligned, hated and weakest releases to date. If you want old school hard rockin' Kiss, you won't find it here and the ones that do rock are so lifeless and sterile due to Vini Poncia's squeaky clean production, keys/synths and co-writing input on most of the songs that it should have been named MASKED. Read on for my review of each song from the Unmasked album (from 1 to 10):

1. Is That You?: Probably the only song on Unmasked that shows any type of hard rock grit. Paul's ode to easy girls..."you always get the boys you like, play nice then stick them with your knife..." An enjoyable Kiss tune NOT WRITTEN BY THEM (Gerard McMahon)!?! I give it an 8.

2. Shandi: This was the first single off the record - only a top 60 hit (#56) here but outside the US it was a smash. Infectious groove by Anton and nice guitar work by Paul and Ace. Vocals by Paul are top notch and the backing vocals sound wonderful. The bass on this song was played by a session man named Tom Harper (no relation) - why I'm not sure. Probably Vini's idea. One of my favorites of the CD. A 10.

3. Talk to Me: Ace's 1st of three songs and this was the second single. Next to Firehouse, the most words ending in "-tion" in a Kiss song. Great rocker. To me, Anton Fig is the star of this track. 9/10.

4. Naked City: My absolute favorite song from Unmasked. Gene does an outstanding job on this one and the chorus alone won me over. Very dark and very Gene. Spectacular song - one of his best. 10 all the way.

5. What Makes the World Go Round: Now here's where the album goes awry. Forgettable Kiss song by Paul about love making the world...well, you get it. The riffs and the chorus doesn't do anything for me. Yawn. A bore. A measly 2 points.

6. Tomorrow: How this wasn't a hit and like another reviewer stated about why this Paul song wasn't in an 80s movie soundtrack baffles me. A true underrated pop gem. Good job Paul! I give it a 8.

7. Two Sides of the Coin: A laugher by Ace. Wow, what masterpiece lyrics: "I've met some ladies, I've met some girls, but they don't tell you, they just wanna whirl. It's kinda funny, a little sad, but they're not happy, they're just kinda glad". How can Ace sing all of that with a serious demeanor? I've heard more controversial lyrics from Romper Room! A funny number but nothing else. I only give it a big fat 3 only for Anton Fig's drum solo in the middle of the song. In my opinion, they hired the right guy to drum on this record (Dynasty as well).

8. She's so European: Gene's ode to "one of a kind" European girls. A clunker. The synthesizers are so cheesy it's unreal and they just don't belong. Damn you, Vini! Bubblegum at its most sugarless taste and to me the worst song along with What Makes... on Unmasked. Poppy synth keyboards and Gene's vocals just don't gel...BLECH! ZERO out of 10.

9. Easy as it Seems: Another cheeseball but this one I'll eat and risk a cavity. The keyboards work here for some reason. I like the groove with the percussion in the background. Not Paul's best but the pulsing backbeat and backing vocals save it from a flush down the toilet. A 6.

10. Torpedo Girl: Ace's 3rd song and it makes up for 2 Sides...big time. I love the line before Ace's solo: "C'mon get your feet wet"! A laidback fun number that some say sounds Beach Boys-ish. All Kiss members and Fig shine on this one and sounds like they're havin' a blast despite everything that was going on in their camp. Another gem on Unmasked. Nine.

11. You're All That I Want: A Gene song that closes the album out on an OK note. Nothing special. Nice harmonies on the chorus though. So-so. Gimme five.

Overall, you need to have an open mind to fully appreciate Unmasked. If you're expecting this to be a "KISS" record - as some would say, enjoying it after one listen - you'll be very upset. Took me a while to get into. I do like it and listen to it from time to time but I wouldn't spend more than $6-7 on it. You could find Unmasked used on Amazon or eBay like I did - found mine on Amazon new for a buck sixty! There are much better Kiss albums to choose from like: Kiss, Alive!, Destroyer, Creatures of the Night, Revenge, and even Dynasty. If you're new to Kiss and/or want to purchase all of their albums, leave Unmasked towards the last ones that you'd buy. Not even the band members care much for this album. Gene Simmons had once said when asked about Unmasked that "Kiss were going through a lot of changes, but sometimes it's OK to take a few wrong turns so when we get back on track we know why it feels so good to come home."

Unmasked is an average pop rock album - not a classic, but not completely horrible. For the open minded, fans of lite rock and/or Kiss completists only. 3 stars.
More Unmasked free music reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Description of Unmasked

Digitally remastered Japanese reissue of their top 40 1980album in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to the initialpressing only. Contains 11 tracks, including the top 50 hit'Shandi'. 1998 Mercury release.

Classic Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classic Rock CDs
Wings at the Speed of Sound ImagePaul Mccartney, Wings - Wings at the Speed of Sound
Release date: 1996-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $269.99
Boxed ImageSmall Faces - Boxed
Release date: 1997-11-01; Music CD
Best price: $43.38
Gris Gris ImageDr John - Gris Gris
Release date: 1994-07-15; Music CD
Price in other shops: $18.98
Eric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS] ImageEric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1998-02-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.75
Price in other shops: $19.98
Human Highway [VHS] ImageHuman Highway [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1995-08-08; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $120.79
The Monkees - Head [VHS] ImageThe Monkees - Head [VHS]
Rhino / Wea; Release date: 1995-01-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.42
Price in other shops: $14.98
Live & Loud [VHS] ImageOzzy Osbourne - Live & Loud [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1993-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops: $14.98
Unplugged [VHS] ImageBruce Springsteen - Unplugged [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1992-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops: $14.98
Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS] ImagePeter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS]
Virgin Records Us; Release date: 1992-06-29; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $121.90
Past to Present [VHS] ImageToto - Past to Present [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $72.82
Similar CDs
Animalize ImageKiss - Animalize
Release date: 1998-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $5.07
Price in other shops: $9.98
KISS Gene Simmons ImageGene Simmons - KISS Gene Simmons
Release date: 1997-09-16; Music CD
Best price: $4.83
Price in other shops: $11.98
Ace Frehley ImageAce Frehley - Ace Frehley
Release date: 1997-09-16; Music CD
Best price: $4.61
Price in other shops: $11.98
Lick It Up ImageKiss - Lick It Up
Release date: 1998-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $4.21
Price in other shops: $9.98
Asylum ImageKiss - Asylum
Release date: 1998-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops: $9.98
Music From the Elder ImageKiss - Music From the Elder
Release date: 1997-10-07; Music CD
Best price: $4.94
Price in other shops: $11.98
Creatures of the Night ImageKiss - Creatures of the Night
Release date: 1997-10-07; Music CD
Best price: $5.18
Price in other shops: $9.98
Rock & Roll Over ImageKiss - Rock & Roll Over
Release date: 1997-08-12; Music CD
Best price: $2.92
Price in other shops: $9.98
Love Gun ImageKiss - Love Gun
Release date: 1997-08-12; Music CD
Best price: $4.17
Price in other shops: $11.98
Dynasty ImageKiss - Dynasty
Release date: 1997-10-07; Music CD
Best price: $5.16
Price in other shops: $9.98
Books | DVD Video | VHS Video | Health and Personal Care | Digital Cameras and Photo | Kitchen and Housewares | Tools and Hardware | Sports Equipment | Dresses shirts shoes apparel pants
Copyright © 2004-2007 music-hills.com
Google
 
Web music-hills.com
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles