(Music From) The Elder (1981) Kiss Album Review

[@SeanBlumenshine]

It's the stallion and mare, not bear. Should've actually read the lyrics instead of pretending to. I don't think it actually makes the song that much better though.

[@markmiller1212]

Great even handed review! Hard to come by these days.

[@rev_lost_soul]

If you don't think it makes the song any better, why do you know the lyrics? Or, are you one of those "glory hounds" that just looked it up for GP?

[@SeanBlumenshine]

@@rev_lost_soul I have always heard the lyric as "stallion and the bear" which is what I stated in the review. Several commenters pointed out my mistake so I wanted to address it. I honestly do not know what you are trying to insinuate by calling me a glory hound. I made a mistake and wanted to correct it.

[@markfoster1520]

I wanted to hate on Sean since he is obviously far too young to know KISS....."That's your favourite song!?" But...true...he is even handed....God bless, Sean.

[@rev_lost_soul]

@@SeanBlumenshine For shits sakes have we all been sucked up into this crap fest going on today that so many people can't tell when someone is tossing them a bit of sarcasm? Wow, guess I won't joke around anymore.

[@Sergio.Punk1974]

An album that was ignored by many fans, but that is one of my favorites. I love this album! I have my LP kept with great care. Great video, greetings straight from Brazil.

[@shaynedonnelly2901]

Everyone has an opinion and that’s fine. This album changed my life. It’s my go to album and my all time favourite by far. It proved that Kiss could do anything. The songs are brilliant and the orchestra only adds to it. It’s the most underrated album in rock history. I really hope they do something for the 40th anniversary. Absolute classic

[@richardlawson6787]

You have to be on heavy heavy drugs..this is a mess..sounds like something put together in three hours..you need to get high and listen to zeppelin..

[@ac2376]

@@richardlawson6787 LMAO!

[@rickr2029]

......it sure did prove they could do anything but it's yet to be explained what that "anything" is. ......And it's rated exactly as it should be.

[@richardlawson6787]

@@rickr2029 even paul stanley said it's trash...easily the worst album of any band put on the market..ace said it made him so mad he quit the band...anybody that paid hard earned cash for this trash should sue kiss for their money back

[@rickr2029]

@@richardlawson6787 100% Richard! The amount of the gushing comments is hard to comprehend. And the flack that Ace received for leaving afterwards???? He was on to something! Creatures was two albums too late. They needed it to follow Dynasty.

[@leokimvideo]

This album is usually hated by the 'die hard' 70's era Kiss fans who struggle to listen to anything past Love Gun. One major problem with this album is Ace had some great hard rocking tracks that never made the cut. Ace did the best thing possible and did his own stuff without the control freaks Paul & Gene stamping out his desires. The Elder has become a iconic Kiss album that's constantly requested at Kiss Kruises. A true Kiss fan has a place in their heart for this daring showcase of how good Kiss could be playing to the idea of a concept album.

[@ESPecialEntertainment]

Very first KISS record I ever bought and listened to. Still my favorite out of all of them.

[@brianstrutter1501]

Can't believe it's your favorite but understand the love for it

[@ScottCampbell-fx1ic]

The Elder is an awesome album!

[@germinal_ok]

I agree that "I'm a Legend tonight" and "Nowhere to Run" are killer Kiss songs

[@twikirobot6897]

Great Paul solo material.

[@reubensane5539]

Killer songs no pun intended lol

[@mikeindel]

Hated it when it came out..listened recently..its a solid rock album, i love it now..it wasnt appreciated at the time

[@Prof_Tickles92]

Bro…it’s still bad.

[@hulksmash8159]

@@Prof_Tickles92 It's all subjective.

[@rudycompton5366]

Still hate it. Never bought it Someone gave it to me. Listen once.

[@rudycompton5366]

Kiss lost track from dynasty until creatures....in that time, they let their ego's take over. They were trying to impress, they forgot what made them kiss. That's why ace & Peter left. Then they took off the make up. They were steadily selling out...then came 1996........they went back to their core... make up, ace, peter....soon enough, gene & Paul's control issues came back.

[@l.salisbury1253]

I first heard "The Elder" playing in a record store when it came out... and I LUVED it! I bought it right on-the-spot! (I was not a KISS fan at the time.) I STILL love this album in spite of its flaws! I met Gene at an in-store in '03 and told him how I felt about "The Elder". SHHIITT!! You shouldda seen the dirty look he gave me! (And he wasn't wearing his demon make-up at the time!)...

[@manolokonosko2868]

Yeah, dirty look, but he sure cashed in those checks from the sales of the record, even to this day from the remastered reissues. Gene is full of shit.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

Praising the album probably didn't fit into his narrative. He strikes me as the type that feels someone doesn't matter if they disagree with him.

[@chrisbaker9455]

1 of my favorite KISS albums, I've always thought it was a brilliant album and medieval along with the new outfits, really awesome!

[@twikirobot6897]

You get it. 👍

[@larrygonzales5245]

And they actually had a stage setup that was medieval like should the Elder had been successful.

[@hugorafaelchairezbaylon8472]

Ace's "Dark light" it's a master piece. Space with Ace!!!!!

[@drew.reviews]

I listen to The Elder when I'm out on walks. It's weird, but I like it. I also enjoy Killers a lot.

[@RighteousBrother]

I've never listened to it, you've inspired me to give it a try.

[@toxicpig5652]

I don't care what pple says music from the Elder is a badass album

[@kingbreck4648]

I have it on vinyl and this doesn’t even make sense. I hate this album, sure, I may listen to it again, but I don’t think it will be any good

[@dulapeep8736]

Especially songs like "Dark Light" & "Mr. Blackwell." In my opinion the album is good buy it's not perfect.

[@MrMalkinPens71]

@@kingbreck4648 that’s because it’s not good it’s overindulgence at it’s worst and a band at it’s lowest point it makes unmasked look like destroyer or love gun

[@shawnstarks1743]

I can tell you this, If the band GHOST redid the Elder. They would sell millions. This is right up there alley.

[@rev_lost_soul]

I've been a KISS fan since the first time I laid my eyes upon them and heard their music (ABC's In Concert 2/21/74). No, I'm not going to say I'm their number 1 fan, or I know everything about them; however, I am a loyal fan and in my opinion(which counts just as much as any other fan, so don't talk any shit), KISS never had a "bad" album. Maybe there are some that could have been enhanced with modern technology but "bad?" NO WAY!!

[@brianstrutter1501]

Totally agree. Some better than others but not one bad album. 🤘

[@brettdavidson3866]

Kurt being a loyal fan is one thing being a fan means you should not like everything about them because that means you won’t criticize or critique anything about them

[@TheRiddaren]

i love this album so much. Under the rose, The Oath, WWH, Dark light - my favorites.

[@williamhenderson8371]

This album always makes me smile. What everyone misses is this is essentially KISS’s Dungeons and Dragons album. The funniest thing about it is that it is always panned by the critics and the band even apologizes for it but the fans absolutely LOVE this album.

[@KISStributeNYC97]

Well said!

[@lrm215]

That is the irony!!!

[@waynedhouse4103]

Fan since 1980, I got this awesome album for my 10th birthday. This blew my 10 year old mind and imagination

[@TwistedSMF]

Great video! Yeah the problem with The Elder was it just was very poorly timed. Musically, It's awesome! I think there is a interview I read somewhere? Where Ace said "The problem I had with the Elder was after Unmasked, I wanted a more hard rock record. If Creatures were to come first and then Elder? I would had gotten more into it." Or something like that. I agree with Ace. Also if it came out later? MTV just was starting to get going. They could had released a music video to accompany the music. That was the problem as you said with The Elder. You had NOTHING visually to go with the music. It was a soundtrack a movie with no movie.

[@markkonzerowsky8871]

"The Elder" is the best Blue Oyster Cult record ever made by Kiss.

[@elvisparker4691]

2 of the Greatest Band EVER

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@@elvisparker4691 The new Blue Oyster Cult album is awesome.

[@elvisparker4691]

@@grahamtaylor8912 - It is ! They're Unbelievable !! The 2nd Greatest Progressive Hard Rock Band of All Time !! 🎸👍

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@@elvisparker4691 👍

[@themadmattster9647]

It’s a masterpiece

[@josez1]

This is a great album. Eric Carr’s Escape from the Island is a great track. “I” is a great hype me up song.

[@Hotgarbage100]

The Elder is my favorite Kiss album along with Carnival of Souls, because they are so different!!!!

[@mirkomoliterni3468]

Maybe you don't like Kiss

[@connorshaw2618]

I agree...they are two of my favorites as well

[@mikeglazier5993]

I LOVE Carnival of souls

[@joehobbs3277]

I certainly don’t disagree with you but if I had to choose between 3 kiss records I’d pick crazy nights animalize and lick it up carnival of souls for me was just an ok kind of record yes it gets interesting on a song or two but when you read about it and find out that Peter and ace weren’t even involved on the record your kind of out off depending on what era kiss you like and what line up your into

[@connorshaw2618]

@@joehobbs3277 Ace and Peter were out long before Carnival of souls...you must be mistaken Psycho Circus..they were supposed to be on the album

[@Dan.50]

No such thing as a bad KISS record. The Elder was great.

[@Nazman06]

Dynasty sucked .The elder sucked and everything after it sucked

[@marksantucci4230]

@@Nazman06 Dynasty is great just because it's not Love gun , Destroyer or Rock n roll all over doesn't mean it sucks? it's a 7th place album?

[@asportingview9712]

Yeah, I’m with you. Just like McCartney and Wings...if you’re a fan, there’s always at least one song that you like. Elder is my least favorite KISS album and hated the album cover (you have to have the comic book KISS on a cover...wtf were they thinking?) and Gene Simmons crying in a video (as he said...Demons don’t cry) but the album is interesting to listen to.

[@marksantucci4230]

@@asportingview9712 these would be my least favorite Kiss albums 1. Sonic boom 1. Hot in the shade 1. Carnival of souls 1. Asylum 1. Crazy nights.

[@AMadScientist]

@@Nazman06 The stuff that came out after Creatures of the Night was total "follow the leader" The tried that with disco I was made for loving you and sort of got away with it. However, there horrid mid to late 80's attempt at "being 80's" SUCKED. Paul dancing around in flowing robes was comical. Then Carnival of Souls...LMAO...there attempt at grunge. BHAHAHAHAH

[@jackherman9064]

Thank you for courageously sharing your opinion on this album. It really does take courage to speak out and you clearly have no fear whatsoever of being wrong. Good for you!

[@rsoliz1279]

The Elder is a Masterpiece.

[@MrMalkinPens71]

A masterpiece of Crap yes I agree

[@BNatoAk]

Just bad timing

[@jewelbell5]

@@MrMalkinPens71 you are just a troll

[@MrMalkinPens71]

@@jewelbell5 oh my opinion offends you too bad does your insecurity feel better? Who cares

[@florentinosanzpastor9556]

😂

[@stickitinyourear2011]

Paul had the same necklace my grandma use to wear.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Love this album. Has at least 5 killer tunes. Not as consistent but still a solid album.

[@damo7776]

Dude loved your review of this. Great work! I have a soft spot for it. Still listen to it once every few years

[@Prof_Tickles92]

Psycho Circus had potential to be a concept album.

[@sonicriccardi7575]

This video sums up my thoughts best, potential was high, but they should’ve stuck to they’re promise & do a heavy album, can’t wait for the creatures video next, loving all these KISS album videos

[@mtrich8113]

I personally loved the album and the song "The Oath" I felt was an apology for writing " I was made for loving you".

[@twikirobot6897]

One of the heaviest KISS songs.....still using that falsetto voice that started with Dynasty though.

[@chrisbaker9455]

THE OATH IS MY MOST FAVORITE SONG ON THE ELDER, IT'S PRETTY DAMN HEAVY AND FAST.

[@CrazyLG72]

Ace plays the Bass on the Oath. This song is 1 of my favorite Kiss songs! Carr's drumming is excellent

[@Markotto09]

They should’ve listened to Ace. I personally like The Elder, however this is when they needed Creatures of the Night.

[@JENDALL714]

Funny, how when they did listen to Ace during the Creatures of the Night sessions, he was nowhere to be found.

[@itsyoboyconnor7135]

I just got "The Elder" a couple weeks ago for my Record Collection. When I was a little younger (roughly around my middle school years), I didn't have any interest of this Album, But until my Junior year of High School I went back to this album again. And still to this day, I still think it's a good album, Hell I'd say it's a great album but I don't want to start a Riot. I just graduated High School in June of 2022 and this Album helped me get me through those boring days of school. Definitely a Top 10 Kiss album for me.

[@scottbull8309]

One album that has gained so much negativity over time that it has become its own entity yet has managed to become one of my favorites due to that fact. All in all at the end of the day it just showcases just how diverse they can be or were at that particular line up.

[@MustangStevie7]

One of best KISS albums, and I am glad they returned the order of songs how they should have been. Also remember Pink Floyd did album before a movie was made, they thought same might happen. I think its a shame movie didnt come out. This is 1980 remember.

[@cooltheengines]

The lyric in the song odyssey is “Stand the stallion and the mare”

[@syfman6]

Great album, one of my favs. The door knocker is a Rose. Did you even listen to the album? 🤪

[@tommykawasaki9676]

This album has a tremendous success, that isn’t measured. It’s the most talked about & controversial Kiss record made. Now that’s saying something. Imagine for just one moment, IF they would have had better direction & production & really fleshed this out. (Who don’t love the chosen hero story) This thing could have just as easily took off like gang busters, gotten more radio play & appealed to a much broader audience, blossomed into a movie & gotten awards & all kinds of accolades. What conversation would we be having then ? The point being, they had an idea & they ran with it & we’re in an amazing position to do so. Not many bands have dared try. It was bold & brave & I love it, as do so many others. This is art after all. Art is the expression of a vision, good, bad or ugly.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Every band that's had a modicum of success want to feel a sense of further accomplishment. The concept album is the crowing glory or pinnacle for a band, in many artist's mind. They wanted to create their 'The Wall' or 'Tommy' or even 'Sgt Pepper's'. I suspect these albums were constructed with great ideas that formed the concept album and not the other way around. Kiss, no matter what anyone says, are not professional song writers. They're a band that writes catchy music. Neil Sedaka, Burt Bacharach, Kris Kristopherson, Danny Elfman, etc are professional songwriters. These people can be given a topic/story/show/movie/artist and pop out 15 pieces of music that fit the project. The Beatles did it for the same reason pink Floyd or the who did it. They had great ideas and concepts. That is why bands eventually start putting out crap or mediocrity. They run out of catchy stuff. There's no shame in not being a professional songwriter or composer. They are in great company. Acdc, Def lep, the who, rush, stones, van Halen, etc. They all ran out of their big ideas.

[@ontheroadwithyode390]

I was 11 when the album was released after being obsessed with KISS since 76 not unlike millions of KISS fans of the 70s. I admit, I initially was confused by the imagery and then by the music. I remember actually checking the album cover a couple of times to confirm this actually was the KISS I knew and loved. It was no Love Gun thats for sure. But KISS could have released an album of Gregorian chants back then and I would have bought it and I did listen to it frequently. A couple of years later with the release of Lick It Up, and Kiss were back in vogue, it was almost a badge of honor for those of us that weathered through Unmasked/The Elder and Creatures....we became the "true" KISS fans. Then "Tears Are Falling" was released and I was out !

[@marcin2x4]

Having vinyl edition shows your dedication, no matter the review outcome. Kudos to you!

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I once paid 75 bucks for what turned out to be a used picture disc of the Elder that skipped like there was no tomorrow.

[@MrAOdom1966]

I waited in anticipation for this album to be released and from the moment I heard THE OATH I was a fan. I love this album despite what anyone, including Gene and Paul, has to say

[@guioguio1Nation70]

This ALBUM WAS Dope...Reminds me of LORD OF THE RINGS...how Someone who thinks They cant fight or is too weak...But TAKES THE OATH...and Goes through Demons...Mr. BlackWell... While On a Journey...Then realizes... ALL HE NEEDS is To Believe In Himself I BELIVE IN ME...DOPE ASS ALBUM

[@rainwaterjoseph4634]

Elder rocks. Not their best album, but DEFINITELY NOT their worst. Its top 10 for sure.

[@daveg4236]

Top ten shit. Yup

[@jimilove7773]

Loved it from the day it came out! Kiss went Euro metal and priest scorps went KISS at this point! Bam!

[@grahamfraser5938]

I guess that everybody has an individual taste but personally I thought that it was one of the best albums KISS ever recorded. I still love it today!

[@marciocoelho2481]

I got into hard rock and metal because of KISS, back in 1983. The first album I got was Creatures, and the second was The Elder. I loved it back then, still do today. I understand it is much different from your average KISS and it was a failed project, but there are some really good songs in it, and the general production is above average. When it rocks, it really rocks. I don't care who wrote what or who played what, all that matters to me is the effect is has on me, and it deffinitely moves me.

[@toralm6974]

KISS made a Power Metal album before powermetal. In 83 they made a rap/ rock track" all hell's breakin' loose", first again....

[@uuu098]

I wish I was old enough to remember when this was released to see the reactions first hand. I love this album because it is bizarre and even laughable at moments. It has some great songs however: Mr. Blackwell, I, The Oath. Kiss has followed the music trends ever since they wrote the disco flavored 'I Was Made for Loving You'. When Kiss released The Elder, Pink Floyds The Wall was released 2 years prior with same producer Bob Ezrin. This is not a coincidence.

[@meatwad1]

KISS are fond of saying they aren't a critics band and they don't follow trends, they start them. They started out as a cross between The New York Dolls and Alice Cooper. Then when disco was in vogue they wrote some disco or disco flavored songs. In the late 70's and early 80's progressive rock bands like Yes and Genesis were selling a lot of albums and new wave bands started appearing with short hair to distance themselves from the hippies and the 70's. So the guys in KISS got haircuts and KISS recorded a concept album just like every other prog rock band of the day. In the early 80's when every metal band on earth had a lead guitarist aping Eddie Van Halen, KISS replaced Ace with a series of shredders who fit that mold. And when every other band in England and North America started using synthesizers and drum machines, KISS started using electronic drums from Lick It Up on. And when the Seattle bands made KISS and other 80's hair bands look like a joke, KISS reinvented themselves as a Grunge band. And finally, when Nirvana kicked off the "unplugged' trend, KISS was quick to jump on the bandwagon. After that they gave up on trying to remain contemporary and became a nostalgia act. I like a few of KISS' albums from their 70's heyday but much of what they say is self-serving, marketing nonsense.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Love the content of your channel. This is a true, honest and well thought out video. The way review channels should be. Great work. Woukd like to hear your reviews of the live albums. Hope your channel grows exponentially.

[@michaelcox7687]

If this had been their top selling album, Gene and Paul would praise it as Their Best. They are so commercial and pop, it's embarrassing. Yes, I've been a fan since 1976; but they are hard to respect as musicians. Everything is based on $

[@nssherlock4547]

$ are the score card in our society. The $ allow them, to do the big productions befitting of The greatest band in the world. Expensive ego's !!

[@22walchuk]

Not sure how you can say they are hard to respect as musicians lol. They have 40 years of amazing music and success. Show us your successful albums and maybe I'll respect your opinion lol

[@michaelcox7687]

@@22walchuk fair enough. I probably worded that poorly. As working musicians, they are second to none! I completely admire the effort they put forth for their fans. I just wish as Artists, they could appreciate the times they stretched, and not just based it on how it sold.

[@mooch514]

They have almost 50 years of success. Ups and downs....kiss Like them or not remain one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time....and all bands are about $$$

[@MrMalkinPens71]

Michael Cox So When they album fails they should throw a party you have to be on drugs to like elder it’s terrible and should have ended the band thank god it didn’t we got creatures next one of the best they ever made

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

I have been listening to the Elder going on 40 years and it is as good today as it was back when it was first put out. I am not sure why they have not went back in and remastered it but there you go.

[@rickr2029]

From these "comments" (not the vlog) if I knew Nothing about the band, The Elder is a phenomenal masterpiece "Go-To" album.

[@KISStributeNYC97]

Really cool video. Love hearing the backstory info on the tunes. I received the album as a Christmas gift..December of 81. I was 8. And I remember being disappointed that there were NO pictures of the band! A band that was based on imagery…a band that ALWAYS had a picture on a album cover up until that point…and there was nothing. That being said…I liked the record, and still do. Glad I stumbled upon your channel…great thumbnail, too! Subscribed!!!

[@shyman99]

"A World Without Heroes" is not only the best song on the album, but it's arguably the very best recording in their entire catalog.

[@bigslick]

It's good, but I disagree, THE OATH is the best song here.

[@hadeseye2297]

I don't listen to The Elder at all. Can't find anything interesting there.

[@kkdeveauxgue2784]

Definitly the Oath and Only You and I,Odessey is good too

[@kkdeveauxgue2784]

He's a young buck,he wasnt even around when it came out,yeah it was a Real shocker

[@crissdrums3975]

BEST kiss song ever is W W Heroes

[@thomasmiller9671]

A world without heros best song on this album. Hands down!!

[@rommix0]

And it was the biggest hit off that record (#56 on Hot 100)

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@rommix0 I love the guitar solo. It makes the whole situation even eerier than it started off to be.

[@billjannusch]

I loved "The Elder" though I thought it was very strange. When I was a young 8 year old kid in 1980 I got into KISS' "Alive II" live album and "Double Platinum" hits collection thanks to a few older friends who gave me the albums as gifts. I became a huge fan quickly. I was playing those albums all the time on our family stereo with headphones and soon after on my own stereo. I got "Music From The Elder" for my 10th birthday and even though I thought it was weird, I actually liked it a lot. As I have said before, there were a lot of fantasy and barbarian style films coming out around 1981. We had just swen Clash Of The Titans, the first film and soon after the Conan films and He-Man cartoons about warriors in strange lands. I also collected a lot of comic books then. I also happened to see all of the 1981 KISS TV interviews and performances on TV on Fridays and Solid Gold when they were new so that got me into it more too. I thought it was really interesting. I remained a KISS fanatic the rest of my life and I saw the band 26 times live between then and since then as well as meeting them too in 2005. I also saw the reunion year tours five shows between 1996-2000 and 17 shows with the current line up. But I still like "The Elder" today. I do prefer the more normal heavy records like "Creatures Of The Night" and "Destroyer", but "The Elder" is very uniquely cool. I kept listening to it every couple weeks since then. No other metal metal band has since tried yo do something anything like it so it's a one of a kind. Ace did some of his solos on it too. They did experimental stuff. Some people love it. Some hate it, but KISS had the guts to try something different. I think songs like "The Oath", "Escape From The Island", "Mr.Blackwell", and "Only You" really jam. So does "Under The Rose". I do love the songs on "Killers" too. But "Creatures Of The Night" came a long and exploded into existence. It became my favorite KISS album ever. It was leaps and bounds better.

[@audiobook3837]

Soo..where can I get one of those shirts?

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I got it at klickteeshop.com

[@audiobook3837]

Koolio. Thanks

[@Ticonderous1]

Eric Carr " WOO HOO I am now in KISS the greatest band in the world " Gene Simmons " We are doing a concept album called The Elder " Eric Carr " ?????? WTF "

[@hadeseye2297]

Best concept album? Bathory - Blood on ice.

[@Ticonderous1]

@@hadeseye2297 ... i never said best concept album anywhere ???? I personally think "The Wall " is probably the best concept album ever written

[@hadeseye2297]

@@Ticonderous1 That's a good one indeed.

[@JasonJames72]

I was 10 yo when the elder came out. Luvd everything the band had done till then.... However now I'm 50 it's an album I have listened to many times thru the years and I feel it's brilliant. An incredible underrated peice. Wots not to luv. It's different.

[@jonvisser1509]

You really broke this down. I have it somewhere just for collection purpose. A world without hero's is really good on the MTV unplugged I agree good song on its own. Good to see a passionate Kiss fan I myself have a Paul Stanley tattoo 🙂

[@philsbs2007]

Listening to and then rating an album after the uh "Era" has past, is like taking a sentence from a conversation out of context. I appreciate the extensive research you used to back up your argument but, you had to be there. This album was and still is badass. OG Kiss fans love it.

[@CincinnatusPublish]

"There's a clarity to the album." I picked it up the day it was released. The original release was a little muffled. The remaster in the 90's cleared that up along with fixing the order of the songs. On Odyssey, Paul is trying to sing on a lower register than his natural register, however he does a good job on the falsetto. It's interesting hearing the impression of someone who is probably half my age who wasn't there while it was happening, but is able to give a perceptive from their own time frame. Very cool. You do a great job!

[@Zundfolge2000]

I knew nothing of this record until middle school (late 80's). Got a recorded cassette of it. Thought it was kinda cool...different. Now I've come to the place where I think we owe Paul an apology...it IS a masterpiece. It has become one of my 4 favorite Kiss albums.

[@twikirobot6897]

Unfortunately, Paul thinks it's terrible because it flopped and didn't make any money. If people would have bought it and praised it back then - it would be a different story.

[@seanpearl8156]

If you understand the premise of the album, a concept album / fantasy movie soundtrack, then it is a fantastic album. I appreciate the versatility and range of KISS. JUST A BOY...ONLY YOU...UNDER THE ROSE...A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES...THE OATH...I...= 6 very good songs!

[@MrMalkinPens71]

No it’s not if I understand the concept of the wall and the songs were garbage that would be different but those songs work kiss is not a Group of great players if I wanted complex music I’d listen to Toto

[@transparentzwindows]

Dark Light has one of Ace's greatest guitar solos evah!!! So much air guitar...I member seeing "A World Without Heroes" performed on Solid Gold...good times!

[@michaelmacleod6517]

I could listen to Under The Rose on repeat, and never get tired of it. However I do wish Just A Boy was a longer, more fuller song.

[@chrisscott6961]

Does the boy play pinball?

[@daviddyer2350]

I've really started to like it alot as I got older. There are some awesome songs on it.

[@luciodellaporta7201]

I disagree, this is a great album, their sin was just trying to do something different, if you just listen to the album without all your preconceived ear clishes you will really enjoy the album, one of their best

[@brettdavidson1590]

No it doesn’t work at all it’s kiss trying to be something their not ambition doesn’t equal Excellence

[@luciodellaporta7201]

How many albums Kiss did applying the classic formula without achieving excellence?? MANY, why you crucify them for jamming something different? Take.iff the roadblock from you ears and enjoy a great album, one of the best, also the artwork is awesome

[@twikirobot6897]

I got it when it came out....and I still love it. I knew most people wouldn't get it though. The experimentation never bothered me, and was glad to see they could do other things. It's "heavy" in a different way.

[@MrMalkinPens71]

@@luciodellaporta7201 the reality is The formula Of Kiss Is Creatures lick it up revenge love Gun etc I am all for a band having ambition ambition doesn’t equal Quality

[@MrMalkinPens71]

@@twikirobot6897 right it’s heavy but it is bad lyrically etc In a Way and structure wise that Lick it up revenge Creatures rock and roll over etc are not

[@markcastillo2757]

you are wrong. it was a bold move and mixing it up is a good thing. Most hard core fans love it. I am pretty much a Kiss authority...fan since 1974,saw em live in 1976. Kiss needed this.

[@bobbavet]

One of my favorites. If you can't imagine a story. You have no imagination.

[@sdprazak]

All the arguments against The Elder are well founded. All the arguments supporting the album are as well. Here is my opinion: I was 11 when it came out. I was a kid and completely non analytical. In my heart, it was magic, genius, and a unique new phase for the band. AND with a new drummer to boot! 30 years later, I have never transported my heart out of that zone. I honestly love this album!

[@SeanBlumenshine]

That’s awesome!

[@stvalue3]

It’s a lot better than Crazy Nights!

[@mtrich8113]

I think so too.

[@MrMalkinPens71]

Yeah no they both stink

[@batmanhelpingspider-man2342]

Where did you get that shirt??? I saw it on Amazon but I forget at it was under..

[@SeanBlumenshine]

klickteeshop.com

[@martinzinn6108]

“The Elder”, is my all time favourite...It’s like stepping into an adventure...and believe in yourself along the way...It’s the heroes journey... :)

[@briankirwan6958]

Surprisingly intelligent amd balanced review of an album I quiet likes depsite the pompous silliness of the concept. Listeing to these songs again after 30 years it sounds better than I would expect. Thank you.

[@UOYTmobile]

I love this album reasons why is growing up in the 80s and into fantasy and adventure this opened my imagination. I know people either love it or hate it. I have every record they ever recorded. When I want to take my mind of everything going on in society this is just an escape for me and brings me back to my youth.

[@samus4040]

Great work and retrospective Sean. And thank you for this history lesson on Elder. Terrific work.

[@johnoliver189]

I just heard it and I am a seventies KISS fan since 75” and the Elder grew on me ! That Bob Ezern guy at it again! 👍

[@Lou_Mavs]

While I personally enjoyed the album, I really enjoyed your episode. You're very well-versed in the subject, and I think it adds a great perspective on the album, showing the reasons why the scrutiny surrounding may be deserving. Cheers to you.

[@Aquarius78]

I would like to imagine Kiss "Music From the Elder" was something like Pink Floyd - The Wall movie and maybe The Who - Tommy movie, just with other artists doing the song's. 1.Anno Mundi - Fanfare 2.CraZze - Just a Boy 3.Nicoletta Rosselini : Odyssey Kiss cover 4.Doro - Only You 5.The Kiss Room House Band - Under The Rose 6.The Kiss Room House Band - Dark Light 7.Cher - A World Without Heroes 8.CraZze - The Oath 9.The Kiss Room House Band - Mr. Blackwell 10.The Kiss Room House Band - Escape From The Island or Jason Saulnier - Escape from the Island 11."I" - The Kiss Room House Band

[@vaporman442]

The song Mr. Blackwell may have been kind of shoehorned in as the villain of the story, but in reality, it was a thinly veiled dig at someone who pissed off Gene Simmons. Richard Blackwell was a real-life fashion critique who invented the entire Worst Dressed concept. News reports after the album release said Gene had written the song because Blackwell had trashed his fashion sense, as well as his former girlfriend, Cher. I can’t find any record of Blackwell’s slam on Gene, but it does seem to fit Gene’s personality.

[@stevennovakovich2525]

One of my favorite KISS albums, no matter *WHAT* is said about it, and you're crazy...'Odyssey' is one of the *best* KISS songs ever!!! And FYI, this was to be the soundtrack to an upcoming associated *film* that never got made. When 'MFTE' flopped, the tour and the film were scrapped. So there's no need to wonder about the songs and their individual placements. You're nutz to think that this is a bad album. On the contrary, it is a *masterpiece* !!

[@davidrapant6398]

I was a Kiss fan and honestly didn’t like Unmasked all that much. Then they release this. Well at first I was just confused and thought oh they did this as a soundtrack for a movie. Never heard about any movie though and though maybe the movie got scrapped after they already wrote all this music for it. Whatever I mean there are some decent songs on it and I think Paul Stanley did some great singing on it. If I had to rank it it would be really low as a Kiss album. I listen to it maybe once every couple years. It sounds to me kinda like it should have gone along with a story like Lord of the Rings of something.

[@jamesbradford8090]

It just takes a little time to warm up to The Elder, and when I say time, I'm talking decades, all in all, its a fun listen, "come on man" he's just a boy.....

[@mrjonesy2112]

My favourite Kiss album!

[@MysterD.]

I heard this album for the first time in 2018. It took me all the way back to my teenaged years in the early 1980's, playing Dungeons and Dragons with my brother and my best friends in the world! We would have LOVED this album back then, had we known about it! Way different for KISS, but FANTASTIC! I don't give a rat's furry little posterior for those who hate it! I love it!

[@jamiesonmathias7859]

Hey Sean Blumenshine can you or someone else here. Put on here the order of the tracks the way you think it works better please ? And your reviews are great man where's a review for Dynasty I haven't been able to find it ?

[@TheChadTI]

Love it! Under the Rose 🌹 is one of my favorite KISS songs ever.

[@TheChadTI]

If anyone hasn't seen it, the proposed stage set sketches is online somewhere. As far as the late introduction of a villian and taking the oath the band planned more records to continue the story, this was to be the first 🤣

[@connorshaw2618]

I believe the lyric is "Stands a Stallion and a Mare" ...love you're show brother...keep up the good work. I've been recommending you to all my Facebook KISS groups

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Thanks man! I've always heard bear. I should've looked at the lyrics.

[@connorshaw2618]

@@SeanBlumenshine its definitely one of KISSs harder to understand album...Paul's falsetto didnt help

[@average_joe4558]

I used to work 12hr shifts so I would play music just to get through the day. Whenever I played The Elder it was always mistaken for Pink Floyd by passerby listeners who would actually stop to ask. Not one realized it was KISS but I would point out that it was produced by Bob Ezrin who also produced Pink Floyd’s THE WALL. I always found it interesting that they were mistaken for Floyd because of its production. Still do.

[@mickeygklug]

Sean- I was 13 when Elder came out and got it as a Christmas present. I had been following the band since 1978 and saw the band twice on the 79 tour. After Unmasked, The Elder confused and disappointed me. My friends and I were also really getting into AC/DC at that time. One thing though. I was really into D&D at that time and The Elder had a slight D&D feel (Ancient Doors, chosen ones, worlds without heroes, swords forged on flame, etc…) and that was probably the saving grace for me. Over the years I’ve grown to appreciate most of the The Elder (I’d lose “Odyssey” and maybe “I”), but I think Ace said it best: Not bad, but the wrong album for the time.

[@maureenwagg5305]

I don't agree. I have been a KISS Army fan since I was 14 or 15. I'm 58 now. This album still stands the test of time. It's really too bad that there wasn't more support for this album. I love every track and I was sad they didn't make the movie. It would have been better received than it was with better marketing. Most fans know it and love it.

[@mikeimpressionsreviews9831]

Best KISS album it’s a masterpiece

[@shawnbrown2726]

I would ve loved to see Kiss do a concept album based on the psycho circus comic books from image and or expand the song 'Unholy' into a concept album. great reviews , keep up the nice work

[@jorgealbertofloressosa3452]

the best KISS concept album one of my favorites in this genre

[@johnlampe3258]

Like a lot of albums, not just Kiss albums, the problem was not the music, it was the production and marketing. As you said, the cover was weak. It was a perfect time for a great Ken Kelly piece (a la Destroyer) except really putting together who The Boy was, Blackwell, the Council of Elders and the Oath. (Maybe even the Island?) Like many book covers don't show an actual scene from the book, but set a tone and introduce the setting. The liner notes should have told the story between the songs, much like Rush 2112. I'm sure Gene thought it was a genius story, but he's no Neal Peart. They label could have brought in a real writer to put something together. Again, it didn't have to have a lot of details, but did need to help the listener connect the dots and have a linear story line. They also could have put together a killer stage show to tell the story. Unlike Styx, who were blue collar rockers, the Mr. Roboto idea just didn't fit. But this is Kiss! Drama and theater was in their wheelhouse. Had they somehow tied all of their stuff into a stage show, the spitting blood, the breathing fire, the smoke and fireworks, and maybe Video clips? Sword fights? Battle scenes? Anything was possible. It could have been epic! Timing was also a big problem. The makeup had kind of run its course. That was a '70's thing. The 80's was a different vibe (New wave? Totally different head!) and they needed to evolve. Their costumes and hair did. But The Elder had them in that transition period where they were transitioning out of the makeup, but not there yet. Maybe that needed to happen before something like this album? Like Creatures and Asylum, I'm always surprised how good they are musically when I stumble back into them, because our expectations are the good Kiss all ended with Love Gun.

[@themadmattster9647]

I think Quorthon listened to the Elder (along with Early Manowar) which influenced Bathory’s Viking Metal period