I was so excited when this came out in '98 and, silly me, I thought they all played on the whole album just like i thought with Dynasty, Unmasked, etc..until we found out years later. I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on some opinions. You're absolutely right that Within doesn't belong here, but that said, it's one of my favorite Gene songs since the Creatures album. I Pledge Allegiance stands up with I Stole Your Love and most other straight up rockers Paul ever did, and Into the Void is not only the best song on the album, but ranks up with Rocket Ride, maybe just a notch below the 78 solo album. While Gene's other songs are interesting, he should've saved them for Asshole in 2004. I always skip Finally Found My Way and Dreamin'. The title track, You Wanted the Best and Raise Your Glasses are decent, with the latter being the one I like most out of them. They purposefully tried to recapture the spirit of the classic era on Sonic Boom. Why the hell didn't they do that for this album instead of giving us this hodgepodge of material that mostly sounds like anything but the original band?

I never noticed until now, that Vincent might be a relation to the karate kid danny larussa.

Looking back at this again and its a very good entertaining interview/conversation. Good point Mike brought up about ace selling the makeup trademark. And i love listening to trunk i listen to anything i can from him. But theirs no doubt that he was gunning for kiss because Stanley didn't bother with him, and hes really annoyed over it. Same thing that got him going on the tracks, once Stanley was exposed synching Eddie was on it. He never mentioned it before that.

Taylor & her team preparing for this prank! 😅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmPLg5eHo8etgbMsi=lqdkrrBbr2r8gs38

forgotten classic.why?because its Sabbath.

I liked Unmasked as a 10 year old in 1980 and I like it now, although I might skip over more songs today. First off, I learned about Peter 's departure from the cover of 16 magazine but assumed he played on the album. Like Dynasty, I connect more with Paul and Ace's material but that said, You're All that I Want is in my top 3. Tomorrow should've been a huge hit and the first single if it were up to me. But Kiss was losing credibility and fans by the day in that timeframe and let's face facts as Vincent might say - the songs were not as strong or anywhere near the level of I Was Made for Loving You to sustain them. One more thing, it might be semantics but I don't think "Is that You" (or Odyssey from The Elder) is a true cover song as they were only demos. The original artists actually recorded and released them AFTER Kiss if I understand correctly.

Vicky vincent

love the way Bruce plays, smooth and tasty licks

Take a shot of liquor everytime Ace says "you know" and you'll be sloshed by the end of this interview......ACK!!...

As a 12 year old in 1981, I did not even know the album was being released until I saw it in the record store and, of course, had to get it on the spot. Upon listening, It didn't sound like a typical Kiss record but I was excited for the movie. Independent of that, I really like all of side 1 (1981 version) INCLUDING Under the Rose but side 2 not so much. A World without Heroes is an excellent song but doesn't connect with me except for the solo, and "I" is average. Odyssey is unlistenable. Kiss should not have made this album but glad they did. It also put them at their "rock bottom" and may be why we got Creatures next.

And now we know why Carmine Appice called vinnie a 'freakin' weirdo'. He called him even worse for being a thief, liar, and pretend performer who cancels shows last minute.

My favourite metal holiday song is the acapella version of White Christmas sung live by the unmasked KISS in Dec. '87 in Philadelphia. Otherwise it would be the Cheech and Chong punk version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. In the 60s and 70s my parents played the Mitch Miller Christmas album every year.

I became a Kiss fan in the summer of 1978 so Dynasty was my first proper new full band album (I had already acquired some of their back catalog by then) and the Dynasty tour was my first time seeing them in concert. I turned 10 that year. Gene's songs should've been left for the Vault. I can take or leave Dirty Livin' but it might be the best Peter could do at the time. Ace and Paul's songs are all good although Sure Know Something would've fit perfectly on Paul's solo album. I'd love to hear alternate versions of Ace's songs produced by Eddie Kramer (especially 2000 Man). And what's this about New York Groove being bigger than IWMFLY in 1979?? Have you checked the math?

Can you give me a link to the photos please!!!

Gosh this was a blast from my past. I lived above the Cherry Croft. I was friends with the owners and Stan, not a Kiss fan. I loved meeting Peter and must have went to both shows although I remember only the first one. Not tons of people there but a lot for that small restaurant. The show was really fun and very unrehearsed. The Cherry Croft is no longer there. Great memories there. Lou Reed used to frequent there before he quit drinking. Great place and Peter was awesome. He signed an autograph for me. 😮

It’s too bad these guys talk shit all the. Time but you put them together and it’s magic and they get along

I hate grunge.

I was there!

Songs are well written...dont get the hate...UNMASKED

Todos los que piensan que Vinnie Vincent no fue un gran guitarrista deberían chequear su canción "you know,I'm pretty shot" Y después me cuentan

Gene is gross 😝

I was at one of these shows. Some folks held up a huge banner from the balcony that said "where the f**k is Ace?" Accept was awesome

I always loved Bruce Springsteen's " Santa Claus is coming to town"

Hello Mike. Love the show. How do I find your Paul Stanley interview?

Happy Hanukkah, Don't forget to listen to Kiss White Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Billy Squire has a cool one too! Otherwise, the classic's keep it real for me as well.

You guys should had done an episode on Kiss Animalize Live that you should have put out on December 8th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the concert 40 years ago on december 8 1984 in Detroit Cobo Hall. Cheers and Merry Christmas

Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody The Pretenders' 2000 Miles Shakin' Stevens' Merry Christmas Everyone Jona Lewie's Stop The Cavalry Daryl Hall & John Oates's Jingle Bell Rock Tony Bennett's Winter Wonderland Kate Bush's December Will Be Magic Again

Although I didn't work at Tolins nearly as long as you did, that 1 month that I did work there with you for the Christmas Season in '92 (my 2nd actual job I had after a Summer job at Nellie Bly), and having to hear those two "A Very Special Christmas" Red & Green albums on a loop all day long was an assault on the ears for me at that time while I was deep into my Rock, Metal, Thrash, Alternative & Hardcore music. If I never hear the songs that were done on that album by Bruce Springsteen & Madonna again after that 1 month of working there (which I barely have ever since) I'll be totally fine with that! 😁

Speaking of Bon Jovi, I like the more recent song that came out a year ago "Christmas Isn't Christmas." But my favorite rock holiday song is probably "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You." Anyway, Merry Christmas guys!

Holiday greetings. Merry Christmas. Chris Rea's "Driving home for christmas" is my favorit. Great written and performed song.

The Ace '78 solo album is the first one I ever bought. Many years later I started drumming, and with all the great drummers out there, Anton is one of my all-time favorites. Used to watch him religiously on the Letterman show. His ability to play multiple styles and always serve the song is impressive.

Heck, this year the day after Halloween the Christmas stuff was in the stores.

The ultimate kiddie band.

McCartney II sessions yielded Wonderful Christmas Time, there’s a Wings video to go along with it but Paul is playing everything. I lean towards the traditional songs. Great conversation as usual.

He’s actually screaming the lyrics of rock soldiers at the soundman 😂😂😂😂 Angry ace “SOME HERE THE DRUM!!!”

If Vinnie was a good musician he would have at least a dozen records out there and if he managed to become successful after his jump start in "KISS" he wouldnt be riding on the "KISS" coat tail today. There are millions of talented musicians from all over the world, Vinnie had a a 18 month stint or blip in "KISS" and a 2 year solo career being a warm up band. What gas he done in the last 36 years besides rupping off fans, bei g arrested for beating up his ex wife, scamming people for undelivered merchandise, cancelling events or gigs, making & breaking promise after promise?

I Love it Loud is one of my all time favorite songs! ❤

He fd it up with KISS and Invasion. Sold fake guitars, refused to sign autographs and had absolutely no respect for his fans. I don't feel sorry for him. If you do it like that you can't expect anything good.

ROCK SOLDIERS ONLY HEAR DRUMS!

Rock soldiers, only hear the drums!

Ace was literally screaming rock soldiers at the sound man, “some only here drum! Me i never know!” 😂😂😂😂

Sorry I'm late to the party. Still catching up on past episodes. Anyway, I remember very well when this album came out. I thought it was decent enough but it doesnt matter how focused Ace was or wasn't because he would've been dead in the water after Nirvana. By the way ,I love hearing you guys review albums. I'd even listen if you reviewed the phone book (please keep it short though). Thanks again for everything!!

Okay before I say anything else I'm a big fan of this guy Alice is someone I can relate too. Especially this LP. Not everything he's done was good, but I really like him as a human. On the Alice Scale it's one of his best. Love the stories on it. I give this a 8 on a one to 10 on the Alice scale. Over all rating it's a 6.5 the over all scale.

The sound man is vinnie vincent.

Turn ace’s guitar up, dammit

Lmao 😂😂😂

Sad that Jack Russell passed away.I was shocked to hear of his passing. MAY JACK RUSSELL RIP ♥️🙏🏼Jack , thank you for all the years of great Rock n Roll.🙂✌🏻❤️

Kiss's 1st album is a classic by far, but Im going to have to say that out of the 2, Hotter than Hell is my all time favorite classic album ever! I love the grittiness of it, and Ace's solos were off the chain!!!! Strange Ways, Parasite, Got to Choose are some of their best, plus the guitar tone on Let Me Go Rock N Roll sounds awesome still today! Great Show Mike