Disc four is The Cat Man (Peter Criss) and he sang a few KISS hits: “Hard Luck Woman,” “Black Diamond,” and of course the band’s biggest hit “Beth.” Like the first two discs in the set, this one covers the studio albums from KISS through Dynasty, but Criss didn’t sing as much as Simmons and Stanley so also included are four selections from his self-titled album and one from Psycho Circus (“I Finally Found My Way” which repeats the emotion and arrangement of “Beth”). The disc is a contrast in styles because the rock of classic-era KISS tracks, including lesser-known tunes “Baby Drivers” and “Hooligan,” doesn’t mesh well with the sounds of pop (“I Can’t Stop The Rain” yet another “Beth” retread) and disco (“That’s The Way Kinda Sugar Poppa Likes”) from Peter Criss. KISSFAQ states, “Much of this material was originally written in 1971 for Peter's pre-KISS band Lips,” and it sounds like it, especially the easy-listening “Don’t You Let Me Down”.
Even though no gimmick should surprise anyone when it comes to KISS, IKONS is a rather curious release since Frehley and Criss haven’t been members of the band since 2002 and 2004 respectively. Frehley quit after performing at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah and has been replaced by Tommy Thayer. Criss’ contract was not renewed after it expired in March 2004 and has been replaced by Eric Singer in his third stint as KISS drummer. But when has common sense ever got in the way of making a buck with this band?
Those who want to “Rock And Roll All Nite” would be better served with KISS’ classic live album Alive or any number of best-of compilations that have been released.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
yeah, i'm a big fan but this collection is as silly as a Kiss Kasket.
2 - JD
I feel that Ace's one would be the best one.... He was the only one who kept the rock mood when Kiss was going into pop music. Sadly, not everyone thinks that...