Greatest Kiss

iTunes Review

This 16-track collection assembles key tracks from the first eight studio Kiss albums (1973-1980) and adds a bonus live version of “Shout It Out Loud” from their original line-up’s 1996 reunion tour. While Kiss made their name as one of the world’s premier live rock n’ roll shows, their ability to write quick, catchy pop should never be overlooked. The band’s best-known material — “Rock ‘n’ Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City” (in an edited version), their surprise hit ballad “Beth,” the 1979 disco-fied hit “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” — is represented alongside fan favorites such as Gene Simmons’ “Calling Dr. Love” and “Christine Sixteen” and Paul Stanley’s “Hard Luck Woman” and “Do You Love Me,” and their earliest crowdpleasers (“Deuce,” “Strutter,” and “Cold Gin”). For added intrigue, Simmons’ tribute to unorthodox groupies (“Plaster Caster”), Stanley’s multi-leveled power-ballad/ rocker “Sure Know Something” and Ace Frehley’s “Two Sides of a Coin” from 1980’s much overlooked Unmasked album are included as well.