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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vinnie Vincient the man who saved KISS, November 24, 1999
Following up on their 'Heavy Metal' Creatures of the Night album, KISS comes back with Lick it up. If you like 'Creatures', then chances are Lick it Up is for you too. Vinnie co-wrote eight of the ten songs and his presence is felt throughout the album as it was on Creatures. (Ace had very little to do with this album, Vinnie played on it as a studio musician, hence the album cover). Eric Carr's drumming style is also the backbone and heartbeat of this LP. Of course Paul had to include one of his sappy love songs, but even 'A Million to One' has a bit of a heavy edge. The album rocks from beginning to end. Gene keeps his 'demon' voice on his songs even without the makeup, this was largely missed as the eighties went on for KISS. This record got a lot of publicity at first because KISS had finally decided to show their faces, but that shouldn't shadow the fact that the music is great. It's a shame they kicked Vinnie out of the band after this. Gene and Paul really screwed him and I think it's because of their enormous egos. When it comes to KISS lead guitar, ACE rules, but Vinnie deserves his due. He was better than Bruce.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great way to start off the non-makeup era, April 24, 2005
The early 80s had not been good to KISS. The band started off the decade with the watered down, disco-pop "Unmasked." Around the same time, longtime drummer Peter Criss was let go. With the addition of new drummer Eric Carr, the group released the brilliant, but commercially disastrous "Music From the Elder." Then, longtime KISS guitarist Ace Frehley quite the group.
With the help of guitarist Vinnie Vincent and others, things finally started looking up for KISS with their classic "Creatures of the Night." Although "Creatures of the Night" had seen KISS return to from, it was a commercial disappointment, achieving only gold status.
By 1983, KISS knew they had to take the makeup off. If they were going to be relevant in the new decade, they had to leave behind what had been their 70s trademark. So with new guitarist Vinnie Vincent officially on board, with "Lick it Up," the band finally became unmasked.
Although the original Criss/Frehley version of KISS is the definitive version, the "Lick it Up" lineup was probably the most technically proficient. Although Criss's jazzy style worked well in the band, Carr was by far a better drummer. His cannon-like pounding fit the style of the 80s pop-metal version of KISS. Vinnie Vincent was also a huge talent. If his ego and attitude hadn't cost him his job in KISS he might have gone on to become the next guitar hero. There was an undeniable chemistry between Vincent and Stanley/Simmons. His flashy solos and killer riffs worked well with Stanley and Simmons song-writing. It's a shame that his first official album with KISS would also be his last.
"Lick it Up" takes up where "Creatures of the Night" left off, but is somewhat more pop metal, than metal. This album is split evenly between Simmons and Stanley numbers, and each contributed work that is equally strong. Each song is tightly written, with a good hook and a few cool solos.
The Stanley numbers are all mostly fast paced rockers. "Exciter," gets the album off to a good start. The title-track, which although is pretty simple and straight forward, is one of KISS best songs ever, original lineup or not. "Gimmie More," is good, but not great, and keeps up the momentum. The rap/rock "All Hell's Breakin' Loose" is undeniably infectious. Even the slower paced "A Million to One" still rocks pretty hard.
The Simmons songs are equally strong, if not stronger. "Not for the Innocent," takes up where "Creatures of the Night's" "Rock N' Roll Hell" left off. It has a real sinister groove. "Young and Wasted" is a mid-tempo rocker which is equally strong. The fast paced "Fits Like a Glove," the mid tempo "Dance all over your Face," and the anthem "And on the 8th Day" round out the album.
"Lick it Up" is regarded among fans as one of the better albums from the non-makeup years. Even KISS purists seem to like this one. I personally feel that some of their other 80s albums are better, but "Lick it Up" is still a strong album. It's a good 80s pop-metal album and should please fans of that genre and the band.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2nd best KISS album of the 80's, April 27, 2006
THE BAND: Gene Simmons (bass), Paul Stanley (guitars), Eric Carr (drums & percussion), Vinnie Vincent (guitars).
THE DISC: Released Sept 1983. Recorded at Right Track Studios, NYC. 10 songs clocking in at approximately 42 minutes. The band's first album without make-up as the front cover proves. This remastered edition was released in 1998 on Mercury's label. Much improved sound in my book (deeper bass guitars and crisper highs). Included with the disc is a 6-page booklet containing song titles and times, writing credits, song lyrics and thank you's. Underneath the disc on the inside cover, there's an informative 5 paragraph history of what the band was going through at the time.
COMMENTS: One word - REBIRTH... new songs, new band members, new manager, new look (no make-up). Kiss' best albums were clearly behind them, but "Lick It Up" proves to be a decent album over all. Especially if you consider all the other albums that the band released in the 80's that were average at best. The band was definitely trying to find the groove after Ace Frehley and Peter Criss departed, and lackluster album sales from "Unmasked", "Music From The Elder" and "Creatures Of The Night". If I had to rank Kiss' albums of the 80's - my favorite (easily) is "Creatures Of The Night". This "Lick It Up" is a distant 2nd; and all the others are 3rd. Track 1 starts right where "Creatures" ended... "Exciter" is probably my favorite tune on the disc - some great rhythm guitar work and wonderful singing from Paul. "Lick It Up" and "All Hell's Breakin' Loose" were the two hits, but not necessarily the best tunes here. I always felt the title track was too repetitive (for the record, they say "Lick It Up" 32 times in the song). My 2nd favorite song is Paul's "A Million To One" - a great slower tune. Once again, I feel Paul's songs are lyrically far superior to Gene's. Simmons continues to write songs with a cheap feel to it, i.e. "Young & Wasted", "Fits Like A Glove", "Dance All Over Your Face". Vinnie Vincent proved so much more than just another session guitarist on "Lick It Up". Where Paul co-wrote 5 songs; Gene 6 songs; and Vinnie co-wrote 8 songs. Vincent's guitar solos are for the most part premeditated, but he lets loose and shreds on "Young And Wasted" and "Gimme More". It's a shame egos and attitudes got in the way and Vincent's time with the band was short lived (1 album only). Eric Carr (R.I.P.) proves to be an accomplished drummer - and more complex and capable than Peter Criss ever was. Not a strike against Criss, but if you were ever able to sit them down together to hear them play, I'd choose Carr 9 times out of 10. Carr's drumming, like it was on "Creatures" is thundering. Though far from Kiss' best album, "Lick It Up" is an absolute essential disc in the Kiss catalog (3.5 stars).
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