Unmasked (studio album) by Kiss

I have to admit. I surprise myself with how much I love this record. KISS following up the successful Dynasty record by once again utilizing Vini Poncia to produce the record. This time they went too far. Most fans recoiled at the squeeky clean production and the obviously popslick enhancements. What people failed to grasp was that this is the best written KISS record ever. They may have overthought it but this is a pop masterpiece. Dig the Motown choruses of "What Makes The World Go Round."
Okay this is NOT what KISS is about but it is still a worthy effort to see theme honing their writing skills in this way. They only got the idea from their heroes the Beatles. They figured they had reached that point in their career when they needed to step up their game. Career wise it was a mistake. Look at the other records that came out in 1980 by Sabbath/Ozzy/Priest/ACDC. It was suicide to make this record.
Still the same songs, with an Eddie Kramer Rock and Roll Over style production, and it would be regarded as one of their best.

Not quite as bad as it's reputation, but not great either. Shandi, is a lovely track though, one of Kiss' most underrated songs. The rest is a bit forgettable, I think, I can't quite remember, still, as with Kiss, always enjoyable.

Kiss sold rock down the river for a buck. Crap...

From O.T. 01/25/2016 16:48

Kiss in self doubt and despair. A sex god sings about being unable to end a long and constantly failing relationship, the monster walks through the city, feeling fragile and lonely. All songs are well crafted, maybe as close to Wicked Lesters Beatles roots as they ever got. But it feels like a melancholic nightmare, a 30s Horror Movie, playing in New York, "The mystery of the wax museum" maybe. In fact it's the sound of a band trying to live on the success of "Dynasty"s Disco Rock tunes while nearly falling apart. High drama! Oh, and the space man defining "crossover rock" five years too soon.

This is Kiss' most under appreciated album. Power-Pop-Rock at its best with outstanding songs one after another. Highly recommended!

KISS might like it or not, but this album is a real classic. Good from start to end.