Customer Reviews

Music From the Elder

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(41)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Following the departure of Peter Criss and the watered down but still rhythmic Unmasked album, the quartet came out with this concept album about a boy on a quest to defeat some evil power from taking over the universe. It worked for Pink Floyd and twice for the Who, so why not KISS? True, their use of the American Symphony Orchestra may have angered fans, but Ace's guitarwork, Gene's demonic voice, and new drummer Eric Carr's drums really support the album.

After a horns and symphonic fanfare heralding the beginning of the tale, we get the first ballad, of the uncertain chosen one: "if hope are lost than so are we/well, some are searching for one to guide us/some are staring at me/But I'm no hero, though I wish I could be." Paul's falsetto works well here, as does Ace's guitarwork.

That segues into one of my favourites, a romantic piano and strings ballad "Odyssey" detailing the voyage the boy goes through, across the galaxy, through the realms of time and space.
I can imagine some wags thinking "we're notes in the music searching for a remembered rhyme" as equating KISS's career at this point.

The mid-paced number "Only You" reaffirms the boy as the chosen saviour, the one with the answers, and with connotations of a Messiah being: "you are the light and you are the way." Blonde Teutonic metal goddess Doro Pesch later covered this on her self-titled album.

In "Under The Rose", the boy seems to be going under some testing or initiation. The chorus's basso operatic voices in unison add to the hallowed atmosphere of this number.

Ace was disillusioned at the direction KISS's music was taking so he only contributed lead vocals to the more rocking "Dark Light," and his virtuoso guitarwork clearly shows the heavier direction he was aiming for. The solo is just as worthy as his one in the live version of "Shock Me" on Alive II. This song has the darkness and power of the evil force descending.

Yet another symphony-enhanced ballad and favourite, the Gene-sung "A World Without Heroes" is something many of us seem to be living in: "in a world without dreams, things are no more than they seem/a world without heroes, is like a bird without wings/like a bell that never rings/a sad and useless thing."

"The Oath" is the second heaviest song here, and thanks to Ace's guitar and Eric's drums, could enhance Destroyer or Love Gun. After the slow and chugging "Mr. Blackwell" about the villain of this album, the racing metal instrumental "Escape From The Island" courtesy of Ace. A definite candidate for Rock And Roll Over, and it'd be cool to hear this track live on a future collection.

"I" has the boy ready to begin the fight as the chosen one after realizing his strengths. Some of the Star Wars mythos comes in: "I believe in something more than you can understand/I believe in me. Another hard rocker sung by Paul and Gene.

It's interesting to see KISS returning to Bob Ezrin, who produced their hit album Destroyer, and three of the songs, "Dark Light", "A World Without Heroes", and "Mr. Blackwell" had Lou Reed, listed as Lewis Reed, contributing.

The remastered version has the songs in presumably the original order, and hearing them that way, the story makes more sense. If one wants to reduplicate the way it was on the initial CD release, here is the sequence: 8,1,2,4,6,7,5,9,10,3,11.

In retrospect, The Elder isn't as pathetic as deemed by KISS fans. Those who only see KISS as the group of Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, or Lick It Up and Animalize, are being rather short-sighted. KISS's transition period beginning with the solo albums, leading into Dynasty and to Creatures Of The Night, was crucial to their development, as they try new things, at times I wonder if they daringly thought, "Let's pretend we're not KISS." The best album in their transition period.

"Music from the Elder" is KISS' only album that never reached gold status. Not because this is a bad album--far from it--but in 1981, KISS had just finished releasing two "pop" records in the previous years: "Dynasty" and "Unmasked." KISS fans wanted the band to deliver a true rocker and while that's what the foursome had in mind--they ended up teaming with Bob Ezrin as producer (who had produced KISS' most famous work, "Destroyer") and he decided to take the band into a direction they never dreamed they would enter--the world of the "concept record."

The album centers around a story of a young boy, the champion, who must conquer the evil "Mr. Blackwell" in order to save the world with the help of a group of warriors and sages known as The Elder. With thoughtful lyrics, melody, a couple rockin' tunes, a great story, along with orchestration and a choir, "The Elder" is simply brilliant. KISS fans were used to lyrics like, "Put your hand in my pocket and grab onto my rocket," or "So you lift your dress--You wanna impress--there's something I've got to confess." Now they were getting a deep story where each song structures the saga of "The Elder." The fans simply didn't buy it--neither did the record company as they were shocked by the "lack of guitars" on the album's first few songs. They decided to change the line-up of tunes so the album opened with "The Oath" but now, in it's re-mastered form, "The Elder" is now in it's correct order starting with three slow and "guitarless" tracks.

If KISS has never been your favorite due to the lack of insightful songs or simple four-chord rock--here's a KISS album you must have. For the KISS fan--you may not like it, but you must have it.

"Music from the Elder" is what it is--a concept record. A masterpiece. For those who say this album is fluff are those who are not smart enough to see beyond four-chords.

Enjoy "The Elder."

The odyssey begins......

There is no question that 'Music From the Elder,' is a very different style of KISS than the usual hard/heavy sounds of 'Destroyer,' or 'Creatures of the Night.' Perhaps it was the slander surrounding the album that piqued my curiosity towards it. This is a concept album, the only KISS ever did. The idea is to focus on a boy that has been chosen by a mysterious group, the Order of the Rose, to fight evil in the world. It is the story of his training to become this warrior. KISS demonstrates a good deal of creativity and lyrical talent with the songs for this album. The songs both tell a story and most are enjoyable by themselves; though some knowledge of the basic premise is needed. The divergence from previous albums is clear from the start. The American Symphony provides both opening and closing fanfares, and can be heard throughout the album. There are elements of KISS' classic hard-rock sounds as well. 'Dark Light,' written by Ace Frehley contains a particularly powerful guitar solo. 'The Oath,' 'Mr. Blackwell,' and the instrumental piece, 'Escape From the Island,' are all additional examples of the band's need to Rock. The final song 'I,' is one of the best KISS ever wrote. It speaks of believing in one's self without being arrogant. Cautioning against drug use, saying 'it only holds me down,' this song is a wonderful way to tie album together, the boy has found his confidence; it also is enjoyable as a single. The songs that differed from KISS' heavy approach are well arranged, and most are powerful piecs of music. From the uncertainty that we all have felt being embodied in 'Just a Boy,' to the haunting nature of 'A World without Heroes,' and 'Only You.' Throughout the album KISS makes use of a wide range of instruments and I found the result impressive. Pianos, choirs, brass, and reed-winds race over a mornful guitar to create a symophonic creshendo on several of the pieces. This, combined with clever and descriptive lyrics, an attempt by the three original band members to perform better vocally, and an inspiring, if somewhat trite, plot, make this a throughly enjoyable album that has been highly underated. In part because it had the misfortune to debut in 1981 after 1980's 'Unmasked,' and 1979's 'Dynasty,' two albums which were an exmaple of divergent sound that doesn't work. Both a far cry from the artistic talent evident in 'Music from the Elder.'

(Music from)The Elder may not be KISS best album.

But it does feature some of their best writing to date. Songs like A World Without Heroes displays Gene's displeasures because of the worlds lack of positive role models. I,of course is their best recorded as well as written song to date because it encourages self belief without being overly preachy or haughty.It also educates people to shy from chemical abuse (i.e. Don't need to get wasted.It only holds me down.) and fanatic materialism (i.e.I don't need no money.I don't need no thing.)

Musically,there are a few surprises. Songs like Just A Boy,Only You and Under The Rose bring to mind influences of Jethro Tull,King Crimsom and Pink Floyd.Dark Light is where Yes meets Emerson,Lake & Palmer(Lyrically it's Yes.Musically it's Emerson,Lake & Palmer). The opening orchestral Fanfare is reminescent of John Williams. Odyssey has some great Rick Wakeman styled piano playing and instrumentation.

Bob Ezrin and Kiss show a very admirable change in direction artistically.It shows that the band is capaple of writing more than songs about dirty sex,parties,groupies and picking up girls.

They actually created a Modern Rock Masterpiece that should be turned into a Broadway musical.

While not the best,it is still a very good album that no Kiss fan should be without.

This is a bad record. It isn't because the producer Ezrin did a shoddy job or that it's the third change of directions in three years, or because Frehley had limited input into it's creation, or even because it takes the form of a progressive rock album. It's bad, because, it's a BAD progressive rock album. And that's bad. If your going to venture into the realm of the prog-rock concept album, you better have brought your chops, a healthy dose of musical knowledge and the high point of your career's creativity. Kiss left two of those things somewhere in the mid-seventies, and for the musical know-how, they never had it. The storyline is not discernible and the bridging lacks continuity. In fact, there isn't any continuity. OK...between 'Only You' and 'Under the Rose' is good. But that's it. 'Just a Boy' sounds like a really bad knockoff of the Who's It's a Boy, off the rock opera Tommy (which also happens to be the leadoff cut after an overture). The song Odyssey is miserable and shouldn't even have been here, as it wasn't penned by Kiss. Why hire the services of someone else if they can't even contribute on your level? Don't get it. Not prudent. This must have been a real rushed job. 'Dark Light' and 'I' are also stinkers.

If Kiss had tried to pull this off in '75, or began their tenure with this intended direction, there's no doubt in my mind that they would be successful at it. They're amazingly talented and focused songwriters. But, they didn't develop in that direction. They became the biggest groove-driven, big guitar, Pop-Rock outfits of the 70's. This album fails because Prog-Rock just ain't Kiss' cup of tea. It also fails because it's attempted at a low point in Kiss creativity and camaraderie. The band isn't at harmony and it reflects in this disjointed effort. Simmons carries the entire project. His input is strong. The tracks 'Only You', 'Under the Rose', 'A World Without Heroes' are the best on the disc. The title track also happens to kick ass. Well, you say, he just cited 4 solid tracks, it has to be a fairly good album. No, it's not. It aspires to be a progressive concept piece, and a whole bunch of other criteria applies to that. In that realm, it's all about atmospherics and intensity; either emotionally or sonically.

If you want great Kiss patented music, go with the first one, 'Love Gun' or 'Hotter than Hell'. You want quality experimentation, I would suggest 'Creatures of the Night' or 'Dynasty'. A big F up to the 80's girlie-rock sound. You think would like to venture across the line into the Progressive Rock Masterpiece section of your local CD store, check out these powerful discs:

Pink Floyd - Animals, The Wall, DSOTM
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick, Aqualung, Minstrel in the Gallery
Queensryche - Operation:Mindcrime, Rage for Order
Genesis - Lamb lies Down on Broadway, Foxtrot, Trick of the Tail
Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage
Metallica - ...And Justice for All, Ride the Lightning
Gentle Giant - The Power and the Glory, In a Glass House
Rush - Hemispheres, 2112, Farewell to Kings
Yes - Close to the Edge, Relayer
Tool - Aenima, Lateralus

I was pretty much like the rest of the KISS ARMY when I first laid ears on (MUSIC FROM) THE ELDER back in 1981. I was stunned. I was confused. I was shocked. The sounds I heard were certainly not what I expected from the band that gave the world SHOUT IT OUT LOUD, DEUCE, GOD OF THUNDER, LOVE GUN, STRUTTER, etc.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS???

That was then, this is now. (MUSIC FROM) THE ELDER has gotten a bad rap over the years. Even by the members of the band! Looking back, I have come to really like the album. I respect the intent, and give kudos to KISS for trying to stretch their wings and try something different. Even if it was for the wrong reasons... they did take a chance. And I respect them for that.

KISS, like so many other artists, get pigeonholed into a certain style and sound and then are expected - no, DEMANDED - to keep repeating the same style and sound over and over and over again.

This album isn't typical of KISS in any way, shape, or form. But it IS a very interesting piece of music. One that I am glad to have in my collection. Comparing (MUSIC FROM) THE ELDER to any other KISS album is like comparing a tree to a toaster. DON'T BOTHER because it's a waste of time. Completely pointless.

And even if you HATE this album you can be thankful for one thing: It isn't CRAZY NIGHTS!

KISS decided to stretch out and make a highbrow album when they came out with the "Elder" conceit. At the time, they were talking of a trilogy based on the boy's ride to power and an eventual movie based on the albums. That lasted about as long as it took for this record to die a miserable commercial death.

But for whatever perverse reason, "The Elder" has stayed in my CD collection where some of the other discs have been purged. Maybe it was their absolute belief that this teaming with Bob Ezrin would give them a Pink Floyd arena album, or the fact that "A World Without Heroes" is quite possibly the best song Gene Simmons has ever written. Or maybe the ridiculous chorale that swells up in "Fanfare." Or that "I" is absolutely inspiring. No matter how you slice it, this is a crazy record for KISS and Ace hated it so much he quit the band afterwards.

After this, it was strictly meat and potatoes generic metal, so I gotta hand it to KISS for making "The Elder." They never went this far over the top again.

In late 1980 it was clear that the direction KISS had been following for the prior two albums (DYNASTY and UNMASKED) was eroding the KISS fan base. A change in musical direction was needed, so the band enlisted the producer who helped them change direction so successfully on DESTROYER in Bob Ezrin. Initially the thought was a return to classic KISS style hard rock, but Ezrin and Gene Simmons agreed that a concept album would be KISS' salvation. How wrong they were. "(music from) The Elder" nearly killed the band's career. It was not due to the album's merit musically, however, that the album flopped. It was just not the kind of album that many KISS fans would accept. Pink Floyd fans would not take a KISS album seriously, REGARDLESS of how good it was musically, so with no new fans gained, and many old fans lost, it became a no-win situation for KISS. Songs such as "The Oath" (the heaviest KISS track up to that point, and the first to feature double-bass drumming from Eric Carr), "Dark Light" (a classic Ace Frehley track with arguably his best solo ever), "A World Without Heroes" (a mellow ballad that should have been a smash hit), and "I" (a great classic-KISS style rocker) are all excellent. Strong, but not outstanding songs such as "Just A Boy," "Only You," and "Under The Rose" (that one is VERY Pink Floydish) help fill out the album, but cannot make up for the embarrasing "Oddysey," a track that they didn't even write! Very uneven, with a rather muddy sound, "The Elder" alienated most of the remaining die-hard KISS fans. But in one sense it did revitalize their career. It got them focused on hard rock again for CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, which would follow only 11 months later.

Music From the Elder was Kiss' first attempt to try and do something different. The end results was "Music From the Elder". Kiss needed some fresh musical blood and tried to go the Who route. Stanley and Simmons envisioned a Tommy like sucess such as a possible movie and tour deal with Music From the Elder. But the Kiss Army wasn't buying it and the critics slagged it. After the failure of the album, Ace Frehley left and Simmons and Stanley were back to square one.

The album itself is pretty good. Producer Bob Ezrin sought help from former collaborator Lou Reed. Reed provided input on a few songs. Ace Frehley's work on the disc was limited to Dark Light. A snappy song that could have become a huge hit. The story is about a young warrior who must face many challenges before he becomes of age and
lead his people to a new age of prosperity and defeat the forces of darkness.

The music project was too ambitious for the average Kiss fan to take. Many of them didn't understand the album's concept. It's a shame because the music's really good. Take a chance, sometimes you score, other times you might just crap out.

Strongly recommended for fans of concept music.

If you don't have an open mind, don't buy this album! It doesn't really "sound" like KISS. Having said that, I really like it (Although my wife hates it). I stayed away from this CD for a long time because it had a reputation of being terrible. Of course, it's not terrible, just different. I'm sure by now everyone knows it's a concept album about a boy fighting evil. The music is very smooth, very polished. It is worlds away from the raw sound KISS had in the seventies. Every time I put this CD in and "Only You" comes on, I turn the player as loud as it will go! I love the guitar riffs on this song. Other strong efforts include "Dark Light" sung by Ace Frehley (Which turned out to be his last with KISS), "Just a boy" and "I". I wanted to give this disk 5 stars but couldn't bring myself to do it, because there are a couple of songs I just couldn't get into, i.e. "Mr. Blackwell" and "Odessey". A must have for true diehards, or somebody looking for something a little different. Just don't expect "Destroyer 2".