- Audio CD (25 Oct 1990)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Polygram Records
- ASIN: B000001F2D
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 11,723 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After the genre-bending success of "Dynasty", KISSes disco onslaught continued with "Unmasked" the following year. This album is notable in that it is the first to not feature original drummer Peter Criss, the more competent session drummer Anton Fig taking the drum stool for this album.
In contrast to the more drawn out, compact sound of "Dynasty", the songs on this album were by lengths shorter and more diverse in their style. Paul Stanley shines on the strutting pop rock of "Is that you?" and the crooning balladry of "Shandi", showing he is quite at home with this new image and sound. Other pop gems like "What makes the world go round" and "Tomorrow" prove, perhaps more than on any other album, the Starchilds fine ability to write bona fide pop songs. Only the faux-funk of "Easy as it Seems" fails to impress here.
Gene Simmons's efforts are also suitably tuned in to the bands new sound. "Shes so European" is a synth laden number thats in truth more Stanley than Simmons, and the last song "You're all that I want" is a lovely pop song, that shows the demons mellow side more ably than any song on his solo album. But it is the moody atmospherics of "Naked City" that is Simmons' finest moment here, being a blend of powerful riffery, new found pop sensibilities and a rarely seen maturity, that is similar in tone to "Charisma" and "X-Ray Eyes" off "Dynasty."
Following the departure of Peter Criss, lead guitarist Ace Frehley attmepts to fill the void by contributing more of his own material than on any other KISS album. "Talk to me" and "Two sides of the coin" both show that even the hard rocking Space Ace has been mellowed by producer Vini Poncias shiny pop production, though "Torpedo Girl" is a ridiculous funk number, not helped by its comical nautical overtones and cries of "Get your feet wet!", being all-in-all the most ridiculous song Frehely has ever contributed to KISS.
In contrast to the more drawn out, compact sound of "Dynasty", the songs on this album were by lengths shorter and more diverse in their style. Paul Stanley shines on the strutting pop rock of "Is that you?" and the crooning balladry of "Shandi", showing he is quite at home with this new image and sound. Other pop gems like "What makes the world go round" and "Tomorrow" prove, perhaps more than on any other album, the Starchilds fine ability to write bona fide pop songs. Only the faux-funk of "Easy as it Seems" fails to impress here.
Gene Simmons's efforts are also suitably tuned in to the bands new sound. "Shes so European" is a synth laden number thats in truth more Stanley than Simmons, and the last song "You're all that I want" is a lovely pop song, that shows the demons mellow side more ably than any song on his solo album. But it is the moody atmospherics of "Naked City" that is Simmons' finest moment here, being a blend of powerful riffery, new found pop sensibilities and a rarely seen maturity, that is similar in tone to "Charisma" and "X-Ray Eyes" off "Dynasty."
Following the departure of Peter Criss, lead guitarist Ace Frehley attmepts to fill the void by contributing more of his own material than on any other KISS album. "Talk to me" and "Two sides of the coin" both show that even the hard rocking Space Ace has been mellowed by producer Vini Poncias shiny pop production, though "Torpedo Girl" is a ridiculous funk number, not helped by its comical nautical overtones and cries of "Get your feet wet!", being all-in-all the most ridiculous song Frehely has ever contributed to KISS.
Although this album will never stand as one of KISSes finest, it possesses a certain charm that many later albums lacked, and shows the highlights of Paul Stanleys pop song writing nous. Even if it isn't essential, its definitely worth a look in for the discerning KISS fan.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
1980's "Unmasked" almost always ranks at the bottom of Kiss fans' list, right next to "The Elder." I've always liked this album, especially the Ace Frehley songs. However, there seems to be a new appreciation of this album, almost thirty years after the fact.
No, it's not the typical hard rock Kiss fans came to know and love over the years; it's more closely linked to 1979's "Dynasty," and showed the band struggling to retain the momentum from "I Was Made For Loving You," their biggest international hit to date (keyword: international). Yet they focused more on the rock tunes than the disco with this album.
With "Unmasked" Kiss delivered more of a pop oriented album, yet there's still personality to it. By that, I mean it's got the Kiss sound that's missing on most of the later 80's albums. When Kiss tried the pop direction again with 1987's "Crazy Nights," they checked their identity at the door and tied to be Michael Bolton, Foreigner, Bon Jovi... fill in the blank. Maybe it's having that third person (Ace) there to lend a different sound, but to me, it works. It also worked for fans in Austrialia who made is Kiss' biggest selling record in that country.
Paul's songs ("Is That You?", "Shandi," "Tomorrow," and "Easy as it Seems") dip into hard rock, soft rock, and disco. I particularly like "Tomorrow."
Gene's tunes ("Naked City," "She's So European," and "You're All That I Want") lean more towards soft rock, with "She's So European" being the best of the three.
Ace's songs ("Talk to Me," "Two Sides of the Coin," and "Torpedo Girl") are the best -- and most fun -- on the album.
If there is a problem with the album, it's the comic book cover with the reporter claiming that "Kiss still sucks." Not good PR, and not a good cover. The poster that was inside with the band removing their masks, only to reveal the same masked faces beneath would have been the better choice.
Grade: B
No, it's not the typical hard rock Kiss fans came to know and love over the years; it's more closely linked to 1979's "Dynasty," and showed the band struggling to retain the momentum from "I Was Made For Loving You," their biggest international hit to date (keyword: international). Yet they focused more on the rock tunes than the disco with this album.
With "Unmasked" Kiss delivered more of a pop oriented album, yet there's still personality to it. By that, I mean it's got the Kiss sound that's missing on most of the later 80's albums. When Kiss tried the pop direction again with 1987's "Crazy Nights," they checked their identity at the door and tied to be Michael Bolton, Foreigner, Bon Jovi... fill in the blank. Maybe it's having that third person (Ace) there to lend a different sound, but to me, it works. It also worked for fans in Austrialia who made is Kiss' biggest selling record in that country.
Paul's songs ("Is That You?", "Shandi," "Tomorrow," and "Easy as it Seems") dip into hard rock, soft rock, and disco. I particularly like "Tomorrow."
Gene's tunes ("Naked City," "She's So European," and "You're All That I Want") lean more towards soft rock, with "She's So European" being the best of the three.
Ace's songs ("Talk to Me," "Two Sides of the Coin," and "Torpedo Girl") are the best -- and most fun -- on the album.
If there is a problem with the album, it's the comic book cover with the reporter claiming that "Kiss still sucks." Not good PR, and not a good cover. The poster that was inside with the band removing their masks, only to reveal the same masked faces beneath would have been the better choice.
Grade: B
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On their previous effort 'Dynasty' KISS went disco. The problem was with the exception of 3 songs ( I Was Made For Lovin' You, 2000 Man & Sure Know Something ) the material was quite weak. For 'Unmasked' KISS wrote much better songs with great melody, and improved lyrics. Orginally they recorded them in a rock way, and they apparently sounded quite heavy. But KISS chasing the quick buck decided to again try and profit on the massive disco scene in the US at the beginning of the 80's. That's the problem with this album. It has keyboards all over it, the guitars sound like guitars on a Michael Jackson album. Frehley Simmons & Stanley were writing well, infact Frehley's "Talk To Me" & "Two Sides of The Coin" suggest he was the best songwriter at this point. It didn't seem to matter as he was booted out within 2 years for not agreeing with Simmons & Stanley's vision of KISS for the 80's. Thing is he was probably right and while Peter Criss was replaced by argubly a much more talented drummer in Eric Carr, Frehley would never be replaced. Buy this album as the songs are fine and just try and ignore the disco influence.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bubblegum Kiss
With 1979's `Dynasty', producer Vincent Poncia (MOR acts, Melissa Manchester, Lynda Carter, Ringo Starr) dipped Kiss's toes into a glossy pop sound and away from heavy rock. Read more
Published 11 months ago by B. S. Marlay
unmasked? de-clawed more like!!
While its easy to dismiss this disc due to its appalling production nuetering some fantastic songs,this album is worthy of your attention,why? Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2008 by Mr Blackwell
Shock me, it's appalling
Kiss reached new depths with this one. If you're looking for quality Kiss, look elsewhere. It's bland, pop and drivel all the way. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2007 by Michael Mahoney
'Two sides of the Coin', quite literally
Two Sides of the Coin sums up KISS first album of the 1980s. Not in it's melody or theme but in that one line. Unmasked is a curious mix of the brilliant and the awful. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2006 by Mr. A. E. Hall
Great pop
This contains two of Kiss's best tracks in Is That You? and Shandi. Brilliant feel to the album.
Published on 9 Oct 2003 by D. Curran
Kiss in Under-rated Classic
Much derided by rock fans, this album, along with its predecessor (Dynasty) stand up well today as examples of great pop rock from the late 70's. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2003 by LogicalChoice
a dark horse
This is a vastly underatted kiss album. While not being as rocking as some of their earlier material it does contain some brilliant songs. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2001
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
