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3.6
Average of 15 reviews
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In 1983, when Kiss decided to ditch the makeup, many people, including their fans, thought it was just a desperate move to save their career. Sure, that was part of it, but Lick It Up wasn't just the first album of the unmasked era. It was a bold statement that Kiss could change, endure, and even flourish in a rock world that had become colder, sharper, and way more competitive. So, they did what great creatures do when under pressure: they adapted. The theatrical fluff and campy side tracks were gone. In their place came razor-sharp riffs, street-smart aggression, and a new sense of danger. Lick It Up is Kiss stripped down to the core, and strangely, that's what made them sound even bigger. The album kicks off with “Exciter”, a track that feels like it's been blasted out of a cannon. Paul Stanley's vocals are intense, the guitars are precise, and the rhythm section is locked in with machine-like precision. It's not glam, not classic rock, it's pure, relentless energy, the sound of a band refusing to fade away. Then there's the title track, “Lick It Up”, a slick, anthemic stomp that turned into a generational chant. Its simple structure is its power: a minimalist, defiant survival anthem. Kiss weren't trying to win over critics; they were trying to outlast the decade. “Young and Wasted” gives us Gene Simmons at his most untamed, with Vinnie Vincent's guitar work hovering on the edge of genius.“All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose” is a strange, brilliant mix of rap-rock and street poetry, a Frankenstein experiment that shouldn't work but absolutely does.“A Million to One” is one of Paul Stanley’s most underrated performances, a perfect mix of heartbreak, ambition, and swagger.Vinnie Vincent's impact on Lick It Up is huge. His playing is flashy yet accurate, giving the album a technical edge Kiss had never had before. For a "replacement," he was a game-changer, pushing the band, sometimes reluctantly, into a more aggressive, modern sound. And like all Kiss stories, his time was short, chaotic, and perfect for legend. But for this one album, the chemistry was undeniable. The choice to appear without makeup was seen as a publicity trick and it worked. MTV gave them airtime. Fans were intrigued. The world took notice. But the real story is that the music stood strong. Lick It Up wasn't just propped up by the gimmick, it also rose above it. Its power comes from the fact that it doesn't rely on nostalgia or theatrics. It's Kiss as a band, though still unmistakably a brand and that's why it still packs such a punch today. Lick It Up is often called “transitional,” but that downplays its impact. It was the album that proved Kiss could evolve, that they weren't just leftovers from the '70s. It gave them credibility in a decade that demanded reinvention, and it showed that survival could be more than desperation but also artistic clarity.
This album is a snoozefest. Really let down by it. I guess KISS had run out of steam by then. Lick it Up is the only decent track, though.
Here we go again with another cash-grabbing move by the Avatars. Those original 12" singles were pointless back in the day, identical to the album tracks except for AHBL, which is just a shorter edit. Now, this box set has four tracks repeated and one from a completely different album. What a huge letdown! They could've filled those extra discs with a full live performance or live versions of LiU tracks, demos, you name it...
Amazing sound on this record. Deep bass. Sharp and bright highs. Perfect press. It sounds incredible! My vinyl ain't see-through.
My copy is rubbish. Pressing flaws make track one on Side B unplayable, track one on Side A won't play until after the song starts. Wax blobs leak from the dead space to the start of both tracks.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 2025 | £24.49 | €24.49 |
| 31 Dec 2025 | £26.99 | €26.99 |
| 31 Jan 2026 | €28.45 | €28.72 |
| 28 Feb 2026 | £24.99 | €26.72 |
| 8 Mar 2026 | €28.45 | €28.72 |