Kiss

Japanese pressing of this 1974 album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Kiss have been one of the best-selling Rock bands in history. Since the Japanese min-LP sleeves were introduced into the marketplace, it was no surprise to find that Kiss have sold more CDs in this limited edition format than any other artist. 10 tracks including 'Strutter', 'Deuce' and 'Black Diamond'. Distriibuted for a limited time in Europe with new UPC number. Universal.

Kiss's self-titled debut manages to simultaneously represent what rock & roll in the 1970s was all about, and stand up as a classic recording without sounding dated. That's a rare trick, even for Kiss (whose efforts after, oh, 1977 didn't do much more than tread water), and one that should be appreciated even as listening to the album brings back misty-eyed visions of high school. (It doesn't matter if you were in high school in the '70s, something about this album just screams late adolescence.) Kiss is, of course, crammed full of songs that would become concert favorites (most of this album appears on Alive!) and classics--who hasn't heard "Strutter" or "Deuce"? It's a slab of pure, unadulterated rock & roll. While this isn't especially thought-provoking stuff, it's arguable that rock ever should be. --Genevieve Williams