KISS – The Casablanca Singles [Box Set]

Label: Mercury/Casablanca/UMe

Release Date: December 4, 2012

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: ToddStar

Did the world need yet another pricey collection from Kiss?  I may be biased, but this is unlike any other collection that has been released thus far by the band.

Kiss was signed to Casablanca Records from 1974 – 1982 and released 29 singles in the United States.  Although a lot of the pictures and artwork presented here are from foreign releases, the music represents only those singles released here in the U.S.  The accompanying book also give little tidbits about several tracks that the typical fan may or may not know.  It also highlights tracks that are slightly different from other versions of the tracks previously released.  Don’t go looking for completely new tracks, as they don’t exist, but there are a few interesting mixes or cuts that I was unfamiliar with, in addition to one live track that never made an album.

The real bonus here is the packaging.  The clam shell box that holds everything looks awesome and all of the disc sleeves are clear and have great artwork.  Even my wife, who picks on me for constantly purchasing rehashed Kiss items, said the packaging was cool.  The singles that represent the solo albums also come with poster replicas of the masks that were issued with the U.K. version of the singles.

The total package includes 29 Singles on 29 CDs, of which 26 are in collectable picture sleeves.

The singles represented here are as follows:

Nothin’ To Lose / Love Theme From Kiss

Kissin’ Time / Nothin’ To Lose

Strutter / 100,000 Years

Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll / Hotter Than Hell

Rock And Roll All Nite / Getaway

C’mon And Love Me / Getaway

Rock And Roll All Nite (Live) / Rock And Roll All Nite

Shout It Out Loud / Sweet Pain

Flaming Youth / God Of Thunder

Detroit Rock City / Beth

Beth / Detroit Rock City

Hard Luck Woman / Mr. Speed

Calling Dr. Love / Take Me

Christine Sixteen / Shock Me

Love Gun / Hooligan

Shout It Out Loud (Live) / Nothin’ To Lose (Live)

Rocket Ride / Tomorrow And Tonight (Live)

Strutter ’78 / Shock Me (Live)

Hold Me Touch Me / Goodbye

New York Groove / Snow Blind

Radioactive / See You In Your Dreams

Don’t You Let Me Down / Hooked On Rock ‘N Roll

You Matter To Me / Hooked On Rock ‘N Roll

I Was Made For Lovin’ You / Hard Times

Sure Know Something / Dirty Livin’

Shandi / She’s So European

Tomorrow / Naked City

A World Without Heroes / Dark Light

I Love It Loud / Danger

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Category: CD Reviews