The discount-priced
20th Century Masters compilation presents the highlights of the first half-decade of
Kiss' existence, drawing from recordings originally released between 1974 and 1979. For that period, compilation producer
Bill Levenson begins by picking four LP tracks from the band's initially unsuccessful first three albums: "Strutter" and "Deuce" from
Kiss, the title track from
Hotter Than Hell, and "C'mon and Love Me" from
Dressed to Kill. The remaining eight tracks represent
Kiss' highest charting singles of the next several years, among them the breakthrough live version of "Rock and Roll All Nite," the Top Ten ballad "Beth," and their second gold-selling single, "I Was Made for Lovin' You." For such a brief and focused compilation, the only significant omission to note is "Shout It Out Loud," which charted in both studio and live version, the former getting to number 31 on the Hot 100. Of course, a more career-spanning collection would have included the 1990 Top Ten hit "Forever," but that's saved for a second volume. ~ William Ruhlmann