KISS Symphony Alive IV (2003)

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KISS - Symphony - Alive IV (2003)
| Label: Sanctuary Records | 2CD | MP3 320 kbps | 222 MBKiss Symphony: Alive IV is a 2003 live album from Kiss performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The arrangements were made by David Campbell, who also conducted the MSO. It is the group's fourth album in the Alive series and first release under Kiss Records and Sanctuary Records. The album featured three of the original members of Kiss (Peter Criss, Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons). Ace Frehley once again left the band and the concert featured for the first time a replacement musician, Tommy Thayer, dressed as Ace Frehley's "Spaceman".
It has to be quite a thrill to count off "one, two, three, four...hit it!" and have a full orchestra launch into the same power chord you are. Kiss got to experience it during a one-off show with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Alive IV is the document. The band is continuing the makeup revival that started in 1996, but Ace Frehley has moved on, taking his oddball tunes and loose attitude with him. In a move that fans might see as sacrilege, former Black 'n' Blue guitarist Tommy Thayer has assumed the role of the Spaceman, and the Melbourne show was his debut. Considering the monolithic pressure put upon him, it's no surprise he plays it straight, often too straight. It's just one of the disappointments on an album dragged down by a muddy mix and under-rehearsed interaction of band and orchestra. Kiss plays without the orchestra for the first six numbers, most of which have shown up in better versions on the first two editions of Alive. Gene Simmons' bass is pushed further down in the mix than ever, and only the most die-hard fan would want a live version of "Psycho Circus." The Melbourne Symphony Ensemble joins for the rest of the first disc, accompanying retreads of MTV Unplugged performances minus the excitement of a freshly reunited Kiss. Simmons' vocal is an embarrassment as it struggles through "Goin' Blind," but the appearance of Unmasked's "Shandi" is a pleasant surprise. The extra strings work fine over this easygoing chamber version of Kiss. The full orchestra shows up, in Kiss makeup of course, for the whole of the second disc. It sounds more bloated than bombastic as the mix ping-pongs between crunchy guitars and disco-style string and horn flourishes. Other than the inspired counterpoint in "God of Thunder" and "Love Gun," the orchestra is given little to do but imitate the band's simple melodies. In an especially wicked moment, Destroyer's arrangement of "Great Expectations" reappears with its unwholesome mix of children's choir and groupies-in-waiting lyrical content. A couple other grand moments make the record more satisfying than the pointless Alive III.
-- David Jeffries, allmusic.com
Tracklist
DISC ONE:
01. Deuce
02. Strutter
03. Let Me Go Rock 'N' Roll
04. Lick It Up
05. Calling Dr. Love
06. Psycho Circus
07. Beth
08. Forever
09. Goin' Blind
10. Sure Know Something
11. Shandi
DISC TWO:
01. Detroit Rock City
02. King Of The Night Time World
03. Do You Love Me
04. Shout It Out Loud
05. God Of Thunder
06. Love Gun
07. Black Diamond
08. Great Expectations
09. I Was Made For Lovin' You
10. Rock And Roll All Nite
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