Customer Reviews

Alive! Box Set

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was hesitant to purchase this box set since I already own the first three "Alive" albums on cd (not to mention the first 2 on vinyl). I decided to make the purchase based on the inclusion of the Millennium Concert, the great price and having all the albums in the same place. I do not believe "Alive III" was ever remastered, so the sound improvement here is very noticeable. What pleasantly surprised me was the better sound on "Alive I & II". I did a side by side with "Alive! Box Set" cds and the 2 disc remastered sets of "Alive I & II". I found these new recordings to sound clearer, brighter, louder (when played at the same volume level), and to have more concert hall ambiance and overall punch when compared to the 2 disc "remastered" versions. The differences I heard immediately were Criss's drums & Gene's bass on the "Alive!" album giving my car subwoofer a much better workout. While the sound improvement on these first two "Alive!" albums might seem like a slight "tweak" to some, the ears of dedicated KISS fans will really appreciate the improvement.
So, for the music fan who does not own any Kiss albums, shame on you! This is a great place to start; four great live cds in one collection at a very reasonable price. For any KISS fan wondering if this set is worth the money, ask yourself one question, "Do you want the best?" I thought so....add to cart ASAP.

THE BAND: Alive!, Alive II, Millennium Concert: Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Ace Frehley (guitar, vocals), Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Alive III (only): Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Bruce Kulick (guitar, vocals), Eric Singer (drums, vocals).

THE DISCS: (2006) 4 discs containing 69 tracks and lasting over 291 minutes. Disc-1 ("Alive!" 1975) at 77+ minutes; Disc-2 ("Alive II" 1977) at 74+ minutes; Disc-3 ("Alive III" 1993) at 73+ minutes; Disc-4 ("The Millennium Concert" 1999) at 66+ minutes. The case is a 5-side cardboard foldout. Included with the discs is an extensive 72-page booklet containing numerous band photos (many unreleased), band members, song titles/credits, excerpts from band interviews, and all original artwork from Alive I - III. Digitally remastered sound. Label - Mercury.

COMMENTS: "Alive!" is always going be the album by which all Kiss records should be judged. It stands on its own - a true 'live' rock classic. "Alive II" is 3-sides live and 1-side studio recording... good, but not a classic in my book. "Alive III", in my opinion, is probably their 3rd best 'live' album behind their "MTV Unplugged" release which is not featured here (their "Alive IV - Australian Symphony" album isn't either). "Millennium"" is good and exciting to hear - but after several listens, maybe you'll feel the same way I do now... that it's cool for us fans to have, but it's easy to recognize the original four's playing is beginning to slip. In some songs, Peter Criss' beat is fast and then slow; Ace's guitar solo's are familiar, but they are at times sloppy; and Paul's singing is sometimes to fast, while other times he's trying to catch up. Nothing negative to say about Gene, though I wish he had more time vocally on Disc-4 (only 4 songs with lead vocals, and 2 of those he shares with Paul). "Millennium" has some old classics done nicely... most notably "Firehouse", "100,000 Years", "Do You Love Me?" and "Black Diamond". Kiss fans will eat this up as I did. "Alive II" sounds good since I never replaced my old vinyl on CD. I thought "Alive III" always sounded great, but the sound is crisper and deeper and the remastering is a nice improvement. Bonus track - "Take It Off" a song dropped from "Alive III" sounds fantastic. The radio single edit of "Rock And Roll All Nite" from their "Alive!" is not needed... approximately 40 seconds is chopped out of the song. Like others have noted here, I too ran to Best Buy to get the 2 extra tracks ("2000 Man" and "God Of Thunder") only to be duped. The 2 bonus tracks are nowhere to be found. The folks at Best Buy are/were clueless (most are teens and early 20-somethings that don't appreciate the old classic rock bands from yesteryear). This is also the first time that either of the first two "Alive" discs are available on a single disc. Some will say this boxed set really isn't necessary, but for the price, the new "Millennium Concert", the remastered others, and the extensive booklet make it worth the purchase. A wonderful package featuring a lot of music despite its minor flaws (4.5 stars).

Yes, I must Admit I did buy it for the so Called Millennium Concert. I am Happy that they did release some of that concert: anyone with tapes of that concert knows they could quite easily have done two discs of the Millennium concert, since the entire show was fully recorded, so why only one song from Ace, and no solo? Anyway, I am happy for the Bits they gave on disc.
The Alive 1,2 and 3 are great discs, sounding superb in 5.1 systems; much improved. I must admit I did think that Gene ( or Someone, :-) redid the Bass work for the Live 1 and 2, but I guess with a Remaster that fixes all sounds.
Each of the discs reprises the Packaging of the original albums, as well as the disc bed, which has a reprise of the cover shots. The Booklet tops the memorable tour of the KISS past.
It really does bring home that KISS has material that is better than Good. Ace has said that the Reunion tour was DAT recorded. With a great selection of other songs, why can't they release more. Anyways, I more than Love what I got. Its a Great Buy, and I am more than happy with the great sound

I had no intention of picking this up, but simply couldn't resist after hearing that Best Buy was selling it for $20. I knew at that point that the 'bonus tracks' supposedly found on the Best Buy version were nowhere to be found, but I figured that would have to be rectified sooner or later (Gene and Paul are currently working with Universal about fixing that mess). Let me just say I am really glad I picked this up.

The packaging is great. The box folds out much like a DVD set, and it comes with a nice booklet with some cool photos and liner notes from everyone involved in these live recordings. The Millenium Concert sounds AWESOME. I really was impressed by the sound quality; the guitars are thick but not overbearing and all other instruments/vocals sound great. It's nice to have a live CD from the reunion line-up. Alive 1 - 3 also sound great - the remastering here takes nothing away, and only makes these classic recordings sound better.

As far as the whiners complaining that "Alive IV" isn't on this set, well, they must be the same people who blame KISS for all these re-releases. Alive IV was on a different label than the other 'Alive' albums, so it only makes sense they are not included in this box set (you do have to own the rights to release something kids). Even I admit it would have been cool if it was included, but I understand why it isn't. Just like I understand that record companies put out compilations and re-releases, more often than not without the bands input or approval.

After picking up KISSOLOGY and seeing what a great live band they really were, I'm really glad I have these live CDs as part of my collection. Get it at the right price and you can't go wrong. Pick it up at Best Buy, keep the receipt, and wait to hear how we can all get '2000 Man' and 'God of Thunder' to add to this great collection.

First off another reviewer nailed it. Paul and Gene have nothing to do with this release. At best, Tommy Thayer served as a reference to the company that released it. That's about as close to a KISS connection as it gets on this one. This was released by Universal, which now owns Mercury/Polygram (Kiss's old label). They still own some rights to the music they recorded while being under contract to that company. Which brings us to this product and actually the last few Kiss releases, all of which have been "best of" collections put out by Universal. The only releases of recent times that were completely under Paul and Gene's control were: Kissology Vol. 1, Alive IV symphony, Rock the Nation DVD. Those are all valid products full of unseen footage and unreleased material (unless you're familiar with the bootleg market). So please stop slammin' Gene and Paul so much! yes they are greedy, money hungry, penny pinchers, but at least we get something out of it when it's under their control.

And as for this CD collection.... I actually enjoy it. Yes, 3 of the 4 discs are just remasters of currently available stuff. But, Alive III was never remastered, and of course the Millennium concert is new. For someone who doesn't have any of Kiss's live stuff, this would be a great set. For someone who has Alive I and II but never bought Alive III (which seems to be the case with some generations of Kiss fans), again this would be a great deal. And everybody, new or old fans, get thier money's worth just because of the Millenium disc. Especially if you get it at the Amazon or Best Buy price. The packaging is awesome (typical Kiss), the sound quality is excellent (I can't tell a difference between this remaster and the ones from a few years ago for Alive I/II, but Alive III definitely sounds better, and the Millennium show is at least a 4 star disc if released by itself), they even got both the original Alive albums onto one disc each. All in all I say this is a solid effort to put out a decent product for once from the Universal company in relation to Kiss.

I don't really see it necessary at this point to review it from a musical standpoint. Again, 3 of the 4 discs are just remasters of older material, and even the Millenium show is just a showcase of the bands history to that point. The only new songs that the fans haven't heard live before are the ones from Psycho Circus. So if you are even reading this I imagine you are already familiar with the Alive series of albums and my insight into them wouldn't be of much help anyway. Just go buy it.... new or old fan. If you've heard the Alive albums before, just listen again, they only get better with time, especially compared to what gets pumped out of the music biz nowadays. And if you haven't heard them before.... well I'm sorry, genuinely sorry that you haven't heard this piece of music history that way too often gets overlooked or tossed aside because of an image. There's still time to redeem and educate yourself. Go buy this!

Although Kiss Online and Best Buy advertise exclusive bonus songs, "2000 Man" & "God Of Thunder" from the Millenium Concert, these songs are NOT included in the BB set. The copy I purchased even had it printed on a sticker on the plastic wrapping..."Featuring two previously unreleased bonus songs...". I repeat, these songs can be found nowhere on the BB set. I called 4 different Best Buy's in my area and was told it was..."not their problem". They were completely disinterested in helping me. If this is a case of false advertising I am sure I am not the only buyer who will be upset over this. That said, the Millenium Concert is a must have for the Kiss completist. 3 stars for the quality of the remastered versions and for the inclusion of the MC. I just wish it had come with the 2 bounus tracks as advertised!

I checked all my favorite songs from the band, and looked for greatest hit albums they have put out, and none of them contained ALL of my favorites until I came across this one. Now, I have their early 70's albums and Alive, Alive II, so I was not sure if I wanted to purchase this one. I am glad I did. Because it has all in one that I can simply take it to anywhere and enjoy without having have to carry bunch of CD's. Sounds are great, and ALL my favorites songs are HERE. I think KISS were known for LIVE band anyway, and this is a very powerful very typical KISS album. SO glad I bought it!

finally all the live albums of Kiss in one package and a lavish one that is. not only for the Kiss fan but for anyone who can appreciate a good rock concert (registration), complete with lot of explosions, with a few unexpected extras included. There is the single live-version of "Rock and Roll All Nite" added to Alive II and on Alive III is "Take it Off" an extra bonustrack. Also is brandnew and otherwise not available the reunionconcrt 1999/2000 with the 4 original members. Comes in that each album has a clear sound is now released on a single disc. Further there is a lovely booklet with many never before seen pictures of the band playing live. So this is a great Christmas 2006 gift for everybody. It brings alive kind memories of seen concerts and proves proudly that apart from the outrageous stageshow the original and later members of the band really could play and write nice songs. Not much to add to that.

This is actually a pretty clever idea, reissuing KISS Alive 1, 2 and 3 as a box set with a bonus disc. Pick this up if you're new to KISS want to get a good feel for what they were about. Beyond the big hair, makeup and high heels as well as the controversy, there exists a wealth of good songs that actually are not offensive or even sexual in nature. The first Alive album was made in 1975, the legendary album that got KISS really big and still sells today, rating as high as number 5 on most critics top 100 rock or Top 100 live albums ever made. But don't be fooled by KISS' or any other band's music; while the shows are fun to go to and the records fun to listen to, it's a sell out business of making money and using the cool kids to sell it. Alive II was released in like 1977 or 78 intended as a Xmas present for fans as KISS had sold out regardless of 3 new not very commercial but platinum selling albums and were now very mainstream. All fresh material but contains a number of weak tracks like Ladies' Room and all the new studio tracks are throwaway but Ace's Rocket Ride. Alive 3 does nothing but heighten KISS' legend, a compromise between their witchy 70s makeup period and their 1980s period in which they were much like Poison or Motley Crue than their usual selves. The bonus disc is previously unreleased that contains retreads of many songs already featured on KISS Alive 1 through 4, but what I really like about it is that it's still a KISS Alive album but it actually has Ace Frehley playing on lead guitar and not Tommy Thayer, as the band entered self parody once more after a number of successful "farewell" tours. Only a diehard KISS fan looking to replace their old copies would want this reasonably priced box set, or the other diehard who just has to have the previously unreleased bonus disc. Listen to the bonus disc as an alternative to Alive 4. I love it!

First off, let's put an end to blaming Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley for the endless supply of compilations, live re-releases, greatest hits albums, etc.. OK? It's not theirs to dictate any longer. Mercury/Universal/Island...you pick. They are the ones calling the shots with these repackages re-released CDs.

I too have wondered how many times can one set of releases be remastered? The KISS Box Set released a few years back is a perfect example of too much tinkering is not always a good thing. Compress the heck out of it and it'll sound great! Not always...

But with this "box set," Mercury finally got it right. Not only with the CDs, but with the packaging as well. This is a really great layout. T42 Design is responsible once again. They've done the last few KISS CDs along with Paul Stanley's LIVE TO WIN album. Their design team is outstanding. And don't just look at KISS. Take a look at some of the later Willie Nelson layouts too. I digress...

All four CDs sound better than ever. Finally having ALIVE! and ALIVE II sounding like one show all the way through is cool. And for those who haven't the ears to notice...ALIVE III is outstanding. The drums are not what I would call great, but man, they are so much better than the original release. Let's not forget KISS fans; ALIVE III has never been touched since its release in 1993 (why KISS didn't have the entire catalogue remastered is still beyond me). Now, ALIVE III stands up very well to the first two.

ALIVE: The Millennium Concert is an interesting document really. Yes, you can hear that KISS (the original line-up) was getting longer in the tooth. Peter's drumming even during the Reunion of 1996 was no where near what it was in the seventies, but the man was around 54 years of age during this show. C'mon. His voice sounded good on Black Diamond and especailly Beth. Cut him some slack here. The quality of that recording is spectacular and overall it's a decent set-list.

I've been a listener of KISS' since 1974. And while there has been so much more out there to listen to over the years, KISS still manage to hold my interest. Whether it's remastering re-released CDs or seeing members release new stuff, it is all superb material. No matter what.

And I have to be honest here: KISS ALIVE 1975-2000 is something I have been waiting for since they mysteriously released the first three live albums in one set in '93 to promote ALIVE III.

This is a great set. Thanks Mercury/Universal/Island...whomever...