Kiss – Alive III – 1993
Oh, Kiss. You masters of irony.
The first two “Alive” records served an interesting purpose. Especially the first one. Alive was the album that pushed the band out into the mainstream consciousness. (This is the last time I will mention the augmentation on any live Kiss record, that should be taken for granted by now).
Even Alive II helped increase the band’s market share. They were Live albums that fulfilled the only hinted at promise of the studio records.
Alive III is a different animal. Completely inverted to those predecessors. Mostly comprised of 80s hair metal Kiss songs, from Lick it Up to Unholy to I just Wanna to Creatures of the Night. The album serves more as a “best of” that era than anything else. In fact THOSE songs, the latter day uber-metal tracks sound better in the studio. The live versions do nothing to enhance their appeal. And when, halfway through, the band breaks into “Rock and Roll All Night…..” all that song does is serve to remind us of the Kiss we loved when placed next to the Kiss that was discovered by the next generation. The Kiss of hard Metal. Revenge era Kiss.
In short, there is absolutely no reason to ever hear live versions of these songs. This album is completely unnecessary. Although it does make me think that Kiss concerts are probably fun. If not…enhanced. (Dammit!)
Grade C+
