IKONS [4 CD Set] [BOX SET]

KISS (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 21, 2008
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Mercury
• ASIN: B001G5IJVK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,073 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
FOUR IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZABLE PERSONAS.FOUR SUPERMEN, WHO COMPRISE ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND FLAMBOYANT BANDS ON THE PLANET. KISS: IKONS IS A 4-CD, 56-TRACK COLLECTOR'S PACKAGE CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF THE FOUR MOST IKONIC FIGURES IN ROCK 'N' ROLL.

Each disc highlights an "ikonic" character, spotlighting each founding member and their musical contributions to KISS by way of the songs they sang for this legendary band.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Due process for the Cat Man and the Space Ace, October 27, 2008

By	William S. Breffle - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is one simple reason this compilation is different from anything we've ever seen, and it's a characteristic that every comment has missed. I believe that this is the first release, ever, where Ace Frehley and Peter Criss are on absolutely equal footing with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Many fans both old and new are going to enjoy the Ace and Peter discs especially, because they contain some awesome material that is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Listening to the continuity on all four discs is a pleasure, and does the entire band (the real Kiss that is, with the non-makeup years justifiably omitted) some justice. Also, I would like to correct a comment made earlier: that the Ace and Peter discs mostly contain material from their solo albums. That is not true in either case. Only four of Peter's songs (out of 14) and five of Ace's songs (out of 14) are from the solo albums. With respect to authorship, in the entire compilation there are 15 songs written or co-written by Ace Frehley, and 7 songs co-written by Peter Criss. How cool is that? Finally, I think that Kiss is leaning toward wrapping it up soon. KISS IKONS opens up the doors to the possibility that they will finish it right, with Ace and Peter doing the final shows. Why else would they put together a compilation that not only gives Ace and Peter their fair share of attention, but will also send some serious songwriting royalties to both of them? Gene and Paul hate to share royalties.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Anothe attempt by the Record Co. to get our $$, October 21, 2008

By	Ryan Fisher "KISS Fan" (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kiss' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have stated many times that we can all expect to see more and more of these "Greatest Hits" packages. It's the Record company's right to try and recoup as much $ from the deal they signed. Seeing as Kiss hasn't recorded any new material since 1998 and has no plans to anytime soon, or ever, this probably won't be the last.

This set falls right in line with all the recent packages that have surfaced over the last 3-5 years, but goes a little above and beyond the others that have preceeded it. Nothing new here for the diehards who already have the entire catalog (some of us multiple times in more then one format!!).

I will give this set 3 stars for it's unique tracklist and set up. 4 discs total, 1 for each band member. I'm sure there's some sort of booklet included too.

Ace's disc is as complete as you can get. Shock Me - Into the Void are all included. Only tracks left out were the remaining ones from his '78 solo LP. They even included "Dark Light". I have yet to see any compilation of theirs include a track from "The Elder".

Gene's disc is cool in that It has "Almost Human", "Charisma" and "Larger Than Life". Haven't seen those on a comp yet either.

Paul's disc contains "All American Man" as the never seen in a compilation before. Would have been cool to include "The Oath" or one of the 4 tracks from "Killers".

Peter's disc, like Aces is very complete with pretty much every song he contributed to the catalog, save the rest of the '78 solo LP. I've just never been a real fan of his song writing. One complete listen to that '78 solo LP compaired with the rest, and you'll know what I mean.

None of the above reasons will make me run out and buy this set, but as compilations go, this isn't too bad.

For the casual fan who'd like a better than adverage retrospect of Kiss' career, then this is the one to go for. Amazon's price is more then fair, plus the free shipping doesn't hurt.

They're still my favorite band. Just wish we could get a big box of unreleased gems from their Vault. Maybe one day.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellant compilation!, November 7, 2008

By	Mark Cruickshank "mark32570" (MI, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First, I want to say that I am beside myself at how many clueless people think that Gene and Paul have anything to do with any of these hits packages (like the people below who gave 1 and 2 star ratings). PAUL AND GENE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS SET. THIER OLD LABEL OWNS THE RIGHTS TO THIER MUSIC. THEY CAN RELEASE WHATEVER THEY WANT, EVEN WITHOUT PAUL AND GENE'S CONSENT.
Now then, with that out of the way, I will admit that there are to many hits sets out for kiss, but this, now is easily the best. You get a full 15 song disc to represent each member, and at a reasonable price for a 4 disc set. Paul and Gene's discs are very thorough, but you get extra songs not usually on a hits set, such as Almost Human, Larger Than Life, Plaster Caster, Charisma, Take Me, All American Man, and Mr. Speed (Pauls most underrated song).
But you also get 2 solid discs of Ace and Peter material. And no, they are not mostly from the solo albums. Only 5 or 15 are from Ace's solo album, so you get some great Kiss material like Rocket Ride, 2 Sides Of The Coin, Save Your Love, Hard Times and Dark Light. And only 4 of 15 are from Peter's. So you get some decent Peter led Kiss tunes such as Baby Driver, Hooligan, Mainline, Strange Ways (written by Ace) and Getaway.
All that, along with thier usual songs that do appear on other hits albums, such as Shock Me, Talk To Me, Beth, Hard Luck Woman, and so on.
For someone who is interested in Kiss, but doesn't want to buy the whole catalog, this is the perfect set. You can't beat it.
Pual was interviewed by WRIF radio in Detroit last week, and he mentioned that Him and Gene had nothing to do with this set, but that he thought it was cool. So there you have it.