Pros: (You Make Me) Rock Hard, good enough collection of songs

Cons: This should have dealt with KISS?s hits from 1978 up until 1988


Gene Simmons: Shush, its ringing.&nbsp;
Peter Criss: Hello?
Gene: Hey Petey, how you doing these days?
Peter: Oh hey Gene, whats happening?
Gene: Well, business actually. Since 1988 is the 10th anniversary of Double Platinum, our first greatest hits album, we think its about time that KISS updates it with a mix of some old and some new songs.
Peter: OK, thats cool. What are you going to name it?
Gene: Im not sure, were haven't discussed that yet. Im calling out of courtesy to you, to ask you if its OK that we include your big hit Beth on this album?
Peter: Oh yeah man, that would great. Thats awesome; you don't have to call me for that.
Gene: Well, Pete like I said this is really just a courtesy call, plus theres going to be some remixing on all of the songs and I just wanted to make you aware of it.
Peter: OK, thanks Gene, I appreciate the heads up. Send me a copy when its done.
Gene: Uhhh.yeah. You got it Pete. Im gonna take off buddy, rock and roll.
Peter: Rock and Roll.

Gene: OK, thats done. Keep this recording just in case

Well, as Gene had mentioned in a (fake) phone call to former drummer Peter Criss above, 1988 was the 10th anniversary of their first greatest hits album, and since KISS needs to release an album contractually they decide to release a follow up anthology called Smashes, Thrashes & Hits. They include both newer music and some classic songs in order to remind potential new fans that KISS has a rich history of music from the 1970s as well as their recent singles like Reason To Love and Crazy, Crazy Nights. The real reason for the phone call was that Gene and Paul decided to update Peters song Beth, a KISS Klassic with some new vocals. They removed Peters lead vocal and their second drummer Eric Carr recorded his faithful rendition of Peters baby. The worst part is that Eric Carr gives a much better performance than Peter had done 12 years earlier. Needless to say, Peter was ticked off, but as Gene Simmons would say  its just business baby.

On Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, KISS decided to include two new recordings exclusive for this CD. The first, Lets Put the X in Sex is a creation of Paul Stanley and Desmond Child. Its typical KISS music, but with extraordinarily horrible lyrics that deal with sex with groupies. Lets put the X in sex, loves like a muscle and you make me want to flex. The video makes the already silly song even sillier as we see Paul Stanley sans guitar and making an X with his forearms each time he sings the letter X. Now the second new track is one that I actually like. I know that most people hate (You Make Me) Rock Hard as much as Lets Put the X in Sex, but I find them like night and day. Although Paul and outside lyricist Desmond are responsible for this song too, there is also a third writing credit to Diane Warren, which makes sense to me why this track is superior. The hook is the pre-chorus, I love the harmonies that Paul Stanley sings with himself and the melody line just stays with you for days.

The remainder of the CD is just about equally split up between the classics and songs released from 1979 until 1985. The songs we have here from the original line-up include Deuce, one of their best hard rocking songs; it has Gene Simmons on vocals, an infectious guitar riff and electric energy from lead guitarist Ace Frehley. Another usual suspect is Detroit Rock City, another fine classic from KISS originally from Destroyer. Love Gun was written and sung by Paul Stanely. The machine gun drums and guitar instantly hook you into the song as you listen to Paul's risque lyrics about wanting you to "pull the trigger of his love gun." Their greatest rock anthem achievement is Rock and Roll All Night originally released on Dressed to Kill from 1975. The famous drum beat Boom-Boom Chah-ka, boom-boom chah-ka sounds suspiciously different from the original. It makes me wonder if Beth was the only song Eric Carr touched up. A big clue is that Rock and Roll All Nite is spelled Rock and Roll All Night here, so maybe the whole song was redone.

Aside from the newer classics from the early 1980's (Lick It Up and I Love It Loud), the rest of the 80ps decade songs are a waste of space. Heaven's On Fire tries to shamelessly follow the same hard rock/pop formula as Lick It Up, and the chorus to Tears Are Falling is totally sung off key, not to mention Bruce Kulick's miserably tinny sounding guitar solo, the song is just a mess.

Despite the failures of KISS music in the mid to late 80s, I still feel that this disc should have left off where Double Platinum left off. The two new tracks would have fit in much more nicely, and the CD as a whole would have been more appreciated by KISS fans because the blatant omissions could have been included. After KISS decided to stop recording new music as a band after they released Psycho Circus, their many record labels have released much better anthology albums. The most recent which has just come out a couple of months ago (Playlist + is a fine example of a KISS compilation disc done right.


Peter: Wow, this is a great remix. I sound great!

Peter: No they didnt! That son of a .

KISS
Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
Released: 1988
Members: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Carr & Bruce Kulick
Rating: 3 stars

the songs

1. Let's Put the X In Sex
2. (You Make Me) Rock Hard
3. Love Gun
4. Detroit Rock City
5. I Love It Loud
6. Deuce
7. Lick It Up
8. Heavens On Fire
9. Calling Dr. Love
10. Strutter
11. Beth (with Eric Carr Vocal)
12. Tears Are Falling
13. I Was Made For Lovin You
14. Rock and Roll All Night
15. Shout It Out Loud
Pros: (You Make Me) Rock Hard, good enough collection of songs

Cons: This should have dealt with KISS? s hits from 1978 up until 1988


Gene Simmons: Shush, its ringing. &nbsp;
Peter Criss: Hello? Gene: Hey Petey, how you doing these days? Peter: Oh hey Gene, whats happening? Gene: Well, business actually. Since 1988 is the 10th anniversary of Double Platinum, our first greatest hits album, we think its about time that KISS updates it with a mix of some old and some new songs. Peter: OK, thats cool. What are you going to name it? Gene: Im not sure, were haven't discussed that yet. Im calling out of courtesy to you, to ask you if its OK that we include your big hit Beth on this album? Peter: Oh yeah man, that would great. Thats awesome; you don't have to call me for that. Gene: Well, Pete like I said this is really just a courtesy call, plus theres going to be some remixing on all of the songs and I just wanted to make you aware of it. Peter: OK, thanks Gene, I appreciate the heads up. Send me a copy when its done. Gene: Uhhh. yeah. You got it Pete. Im gonna take off buddy, rock and roll. Peter: Rock and Roll. Gene: OK, thats done. Keep this recording just in case

Well, as Gene had mentioned in a (fake) phone call to former drummer Peter Criss above, 1988 was the 10th anniversary of their first greatest hits album, and since KISS needs to release an album contractually they decide to release a follow up anthology called Smashes, Thrashes & Hits. They include both newer music and some classic songs in order to remind potential new fans that KISS has a rich history of music from the 1970s as well as their recent singles like Reason To Love and Crazy, Crazy Nights. The real reason for the phone call was that Gene and Paul decided to update Peters song Beth, a KISS Klassic with some new vocals. They removed Peters lead vocal and their second drummer Eric Carr recorded his faithful rendition of Peters baby. The worst part is that Eric Carr gives a much better performance than Peter had done 12 years earlier. Needless to say, Peter was ticked off, but as Gene Simmons would say  its just business baby. On Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, KISS decided to include two new recordings exclusive for this CD. The first, Lets Put the X in Sex is a creation of Paul Stanley and Desmond Child. Its typical KISS music, but with extraordinarily horrible lyrics that deal with sex with groupies. Lets put the X in sex, loves like a muscle and you make me want to flex. The video makes the already silly song even sillier as we see Paul Stanley sans guitar and making an X with his forearms each time he sings the letter X. Now the second new track is one that I actually like. I know that most people hate (You Make Me) Rock Hard as much as Lets Put the X in Sex, but I find them like night and day. Although Paul and outside lyricist Desmond are responsible for this song too, there is also a third writing credit to Diane Warren, which makes sense to me why this track is superior. The hook is the pre-chorus, I love the harmonies that Paul Stanley sings with himself and the melody line just stays with you for days. The remainder of the CD is just about equally split up between the classics and songs released from 1979 until 1985. The songs we have here from the original line-up include Deuce, one of their best hard rocking songs; it has Gene Simmons on vocals, an infectious guitar riff and electric energy from lead guitarist Ace Frehley. Another usual suspect is Detroit Rock City, another fine classic from KISS originally from Destroyer. Love Gun was written and sung by Paul Stanely. The machine gun drums and guitar instantly hook you into the song as you listen to Paul's risque lyrics about wanting you to "pull the trigger of his love gun. " Their greatest rock anthem achievement is Rock and Roll All Night originally released on Dressed to Kill from 1975. The famous drum beat Boom-Boom Chah-ka, boom-boom chah-ka sounds suspiciously different from the original. It makes me wonder if Beth was the only song Eric Carr touched up. A big clue is that Rock and Roll All Nite is spelled Rock and Roll All Night here, so maybe the whole song was redone. Aside from the newer classics from the early 1980's (Lick It Up and I Love It Loud), the rest of the 80ps decade songs are a waste of space. Heaven's On Fire tries to shamelessly follow the same hard rock/pop formula as Lick It Up, and the chorus to Tears Are Falling is totally sung off key, not to mention Bruce Kulick's miserably tinny sounding guitar solo, the song is just a mess. Despite the failures of KISS music in the mid to late 80s, I still feel that this disc should have left off where Double Platinum left off. The two new tracks would have fit in much more nicely, and the CD as a whole would have been more appreciated by KISS fans because the blatant omissions could have been included. After KISS decided to stop recording new music as a band after they released Psycho Circus, their many record labels have released much better anthology albums. The most recent which has just come out a couple of months ago (Playlist + is a fine example of a KISS compilation disc done right. Peter: Wow, this is a great remix. I sound great! Peter: No they didnt! That son of a. KISS
Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
Released: 1988
Members: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Carr & Bruce Kulick
Rating: 3 stars

the songs

1. Let's Put the X In Sex
2. (You Make Me) Rock Hard
3. Love Gun
4. Detroit Rock City
5. I Love It Loud
6. Deuce
7. Lick It Up
8. Heavens On Fire
9. Calling Dr. Love
10. Strutter
11. Beth (with Eric Carr Vocal)
12. Tears Are Falling
13. I Was Made For Lovin You
14. Rock and Roll All Night
15. Shout It Out Loud