Retro Spins: Kiss - Lick It Up

 

We have to play a little leap frog, and spring over 1982's Creatures Of The Night, because I've already done a Retro Spin on that album. We'll bounce right into 1983's Lick It Up instead. This era of Kiss is what we'll call part of the brief Vinnie Vincent period, which began with the aforementioned Creatures album.

It's sad that the coming of Vincent led to Kiss focusing on the hard rock because this is style prior core member Ace Frehley all but begged Stanley and Simmons to adopt. What could have been had the two actually acquiesced? Instead, Vinnie Vincent took the helm of lead guitarist, and worked closely with Paul, co-writing the majority of the material for what would become Lick It Up. 

Unfortunately for Vincent, things with Kiss were relatively short lived. He never signed a contract with the band, allegedly from disputes over profit sharing, and was never offered full membership into the group. Additionally, he caused a rift with the remaining founding members when he made claims that he was solely responsible for the resurgence in popularity of Kiss. I mean, music quality wise, he may not be wrong in that claim. Regardless, he either left the band, or was fired, depending on who you ask.

Considering he was asked to return for the Lick It Up Tour, I'd say it was probably of his own volition that he left. Though this too would be short lived. Further fighting would ensure when he extended his on stage solos, without notice or permission, infuriating his bandmates. Whether he left of his own accord, or was once again fired, again, depending on who you ask, Vincent's last show with Kiss was on March 17, 1984.

Man, that's a whole lot of drama, and we haven't even gotten to talk about one song from the record. So, let's shift gears to do just that.

Lick It Up, the album, delivers a hard rock extravaganza, which would please most vintage Kiss fans, as well as draw in new ones...because it did. However, for me, what it lacks is hits. Beyond the title track, and A Million To One, I didn't really hear anything that necessarily appealed, or made me want to hear again.

What I will give it credit for is its straight forward hard rock, solid guitar work, and raw energy. I say again, if this were the Kiss album made when Frehley was around, he might not have left.

The conundrum here is that for as much as I praise Lick It Up, the album, for its raw rock, and sound, I also find it too loud. It's just an intense wall of sound that is unrelenting to my ears. Maybe I'm getting old, and that doesn't work for me anymore.

Considering I've listened to six albums back to back today from various artists, what I may simply need is a break from music to give my ears and senses a rest. While I still have a couple Kiss albums to get through for the 80's, I may also take a break from the band for a bit. I don't know. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
July 4, 1981

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
July 4, 1987