#496: Destroyer- Kiss

Listened to: MP3

Ok, I could do without the minute and a half of sounds in the beginning of this album, but that’s just because there are few intros better than the finger-tapping riffing of “Detroit Rock City”. Kiss may not be Chopin, but they are masters of arena rock anthems, and “Detroit Rock City” is one of the best. The bass is brilliant, the guitars at full kick-ass, and Kiss at their peak. “King Of The Night Time World” is classic Kiss: Catchy chorus shouted out over rock guitars. “God Of Thunder” seems more reminiscent of where metal is going in the 80’s. It sounds more like a deeply sung Iron Maiden track than traditional Kiss, but like I’ve always said, a great album shows where we were and where we’re going. Along those lines, “Great Expectations” sounds like a song from the love child of Bob Geldoff and an already love child of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. Dude, listen to that choir in the back, that epic, orchestral feel. There’s hardly any track on this album that isn’t a sweeping anthem. Even “Flaming Youth”, a tune by Ace that Ace didn’t play on (Dick Wagner played for him, as Ace was caught up in a card game) and “Sweet Pain”, though they are the weakest tracks on the album, are anthems in their own right. Of course, the album’s weakest is followed by it’s strongest (unless you’re from Detroit), which is “Shout It Out Loud”. Seriously, you can’t help but sing along with this track. Next to “Rock And Roll All Nite”, this might be my favorite Kiss song.

In a display of perfect track order, they transition from their most powerful anthem to their greatest ballad and finest crossover tune ever. When “Detroit Rock City” was released as a single, radio stations were apathetic, but grew enthralled by a sweet, melodic B-Side, the Peter Criss penned and sung “Beth”. If “God Of Thunder” predicted 80’s hair metal, “Beth” was the seminal power ballad. “Beth” is an irresistibly somber and charming track, showing he absolute diversity of Kiss, and proving them to be more than gimmicky hard rock. This track is truly one of Kiss’ finest, and is given the right treatment, framed between two great rock tracks.
“Do You Love Me?” is a horribly underrated track, with real power, force, and rock mastery. It’s a perfect ending to Kiss’ best album (besides maybe Alive!). Unless you’ve married yourself solely to whiney British kids and obscure bands with long song titles, Destoyer will brighten your day, I assure you.

-Mike

See you tomorrow (I.e. later today) for #327: Jagged Little Pill by the lovely Alanis Morissette.