Search - Kiss :: Alive! Box Set

Befitting package of 'ALIVE' discs from Kiss

R. Gorham | 11/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: Alive!, Alive II, Millennium Concert: Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Ace Frehley (guitar, vocals), Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Alive III (only): Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Bruce Kulick (guitar, vocals), Eric Singer (drums, vocals).



THE DISCS: (2006) 4 discs containing 69 tracks and lasting over 291 minutes. Disc-1 ("Alive!" 1975) at 77+ minutes; Disc-2 ("Alive II" 1977) at 74+ minutes; Disc-3 ("Alive III" 1993) at 73+ minutes; Disc-4 ("The Millennium Concert" 1999) at 66+ minutes. The case is a 5-side cardboard foldout. Included with the discs is an extensive 72-page booklet containing numerous band photos (many unreleased), band members, song titles/credits, excerpts from band interviews, and all original artwork from Alive I - III. Digitally remastered sound. Label - Mercury.



COMMENTS: "Alive!" is always going be the album by which all Kiss records should be judged. It stands on its own - a true 'live' rock classic. "Alive II" is 3-sides live and 1-side studio recording... good, but not a classic in my book. "Alive III", in my opinion, is probably their 3rd best 'live' album behind their "MTV Unplugged" release which is not featured here (their "Alive IV - Australian Symphony" album isn't either). "Millennium"" is good and exciting to hear - but after several listens, maybe you'll feel the same way I do now... that it's cool for us fans to have, but it's easy to recognize the original four's playing is beginning to slip. In some songs, Peter Criss' beat is fast and then slow; Ace's guitar solo's are familiar, but they are at times sloppy; and Paul's singing is sometimes to fast, while other times he's trying to catch up. Nothing negative to say about Gene, though I wish he had more time vocally on Disc-4 (only 4 songs with lead vocals, and 2 of those he shares with Paul). "Millennium" has some old classics done nicely... most notably "Firehouse", "100,000 Years", "Do You Love Me?" and "Black Diamond". Kiss fans will eat this up as I did. "Alive II" sounds good since I never replaced my old vinyl on CD. I thought "Alive III" always sounded great, but the sound is crisper and deeper and the remastering is a nice improvement. Bonus track - "Take It Off" a song dropped from "Alive III" sounds fantastic. The radio single edit of "Rock And Roll All Nite" from their "Alive!" is not needed... approximately 40 seconds is chopped out of the song. Like others have noted here, I too ran to Best Buy to get the 2 extra tracks ("2000 Man" and "God Of Thunder") only to be duped. The 2 bonus tracks are nowhere to be found. The folks at Best Buy are/were clueless (most are teens and early 20-somethings that don't appreciate the old classic rock bands from yesteryear). This is also the first time that either of the first two "Alive" discs are available on a single disc. Some will say this boxed set really isn't necessary, but for the price, the new "Millennium Concert", the remastered others, and the extensive booklet make it worth the purchase. A wonderful package featuring a lot of music despite its minor flaws (4.5 stars).

"

Love it, Great Pack, Lots of Thought

Santeria | Tallahassee | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I must Admit I did buy it for the so Called Millennium Concert. I am Happy that they did release some of that concert: anyone with tapes of that concert knows they could quite easily have done two discs of the Millennium concert, since the entire show was fully recorded, so why only one song from Ace, and no solo? Anyway, I am happy for the Bits they gave on disc.

The Alive 1,2 and 3 are great discs, sounding superb in 5.1 systems; much improved. I must admit I did think that Gene ( or Someone, :-) redid the Bass work for the Live 1 and 2, but I guess with a Remaster that fixes all sounds.

Each of the discs reprises the Packaging of the original albums, as well as the disc bed, which has a reprise of the cover shots. The Booklet tops the memorable tour of the KISS past.

It really does bring home that KISS has material that is better than Good. Ace has said that the Reunion tour was DAT recorded. With a great selection of other songs, why can't they release more. Anyways, I more than Love what I got. Its a Great Buy, and I am more than happy with the great sound"

Very Nice Indeed!

Dead June Bug | Central Jersey | 11/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had no intention of picking this up, but simply couldn't resist after hearing that Best Buy was selling it for $20. I knew at that point that the 'bonus tracks' supposedly found on the Best Buy version were nowhere to be found, but I figured that would have to be rectified sooner or later (Gene and Paul are currently working with Universal about fixing that mess). Let me just say I am really glad I picked this up.



The packaging is great. The box folds out much like a DVD set, and it comes with a nice booklet with some cool photos and liner notes from everyone involved in these live recordings. The Millenium Concert sounds AWESOME. I really was impressed by the sound quality; the guitars are thick but not overbearing and all other instruments/vocals sound great. It's nice to have a live CD from the reunion line-up. Alive 1 - 3 also sound great - the remastering here takes nothing away, and only makes these classic recordings sound better.



As far as the whiners complaining that "Alive IV" isn't on this set, well, they must be the same people who blame KISS for all these re-releases. Alive IV was on a different label than the other 'Alive' albums, so it only makes sense they are not included in this box set (you do have to own the rights to release something kids). Even I admit it would have been cool if it was included, but I understand why it isn't. Just like I understand that record companies put out compilations and re-releases, more often than not without the bands input or approval.



After picking up KISSOLOGY and seeing what a great live band they really were, I'm really glad I have these live CDs as part of my collection. Get it at the right price and you can't go wrong. Pick it up at Best Buy, keep the receipt, and wait to hear how we can all get '2000 Man' and 'God of Thunder' to add to this great collection."