Kiss Symphony: Alive IV

The symphonic mishandling of "Detroit Rock City" is nigh on unforgivable,....to say nothing of its inherent needlessness.

I've not heard the album yet... which probably says something, as I have heard every other KISS album and own all but four. Strangely I was just commenting last night to Adam Harrison-Friday about how unintentionally hilarous Stanley's talking between tracks can be. Though if its anything like the "Cold Gin" intro on Alive!, its just sad now.
And yes, the fact that its not Ace ruins that completely, however are the first 5 non-symphony trcks recorded with Ace? I THOUGHT they were from the "Farewell Tour" 2000/2001, as the Alive IV was originally supposed to be out March/April of 2000 and apparently had many tracks recorded.
As for the actual symphonic arangement, its probably nothign spectacular. While songs like Beth could be added to it, and if anyone remembers, "Every Time I Look at You" from KISS: Unplugged implemented strings and piano to good end, you're right in saying we don't need another version of Strutter, etc live... its probably just as bland. Though I gotta commend them on the fact that they actually chose some non-generic live songs like Shandi and Great Expectations (Which is the last track off of Destroyer to make it to a live album, I believe... probably says something about the power of that album). Thats enough from me... kinda looking forward to hearing it now.

Am missing Unmasked, Animalize, Asylum, Crazy Nights... but thanks to the wonderful folks at Kazaa, have those burned to shit disks... I don't have their whole import catalogue, such as the British Greatest Hits, etc... but anything released domestically I've got.

Unmasked have very little to recommend it, though I don't mind "Is That You?" It's also got a nice cover.

I never picked up any of the make-up free records.

that should've been "has very..."

Each year, the Onion publishes they're "most inessential albums of the year" list. Without even hearing it, I'm betting this easily makes this year's list.

If you haven't picked up any of the make-up free records... i'd say check out Lick it Up, and Revenge... both "worthy" KISS albums. I mean neither are great albums, but if you like KISS they're as solid as you're gonna get post-Love Gun (Yeah some say Dynasty was great, i wasn't a fan at all)

I inadvertently caught the end of the show where they recorded this on the TV a couple of weeks ago. The best bit was that the orchestra were all in facepaint!

i MUST get this!