I love 90% of this album. I usually skip over "Love Theme From KISS" simply because it is an instrumental and bit repetitive. It's much easier for me to point out the 1 song I don't care for rather than glorify the 9 that I love. What sets this album apart from the other KISS albums is that it has a lot of heart. I like that quality in an album, and it almost always comes from a groups debut effort. Why? Because the artist is driven by the music, not money. I love hearing stories about how critics laughed at KISS when this was released, just because they wore make-up. Ultimately that is propbably the main reason they became so popular in the 70's, but their longevity is based on their music. Listening to this now still sounds fresh.

There is not one bad song on here, not one!!!!! Strutter and Black Diamond are my favorites, but they all rock hard, pure , raw rock!

It was not a great night at the (Cleveland) Agora nightclub when KISS pulled into the city to promote their debut album; during the show, the hydraulics to elevate the drum stand got stuck in mid-air.

And few curious spectators would have predicted the ascent of the band in a few short years to worldwide iconic status, that continues to this day. The initial release of the album sold a scant 75,000 copies - though it was certified Gold three years later - and the odds did not favor the band having a steady recording deal.

But the gritty production by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise is an excellent venue to demonstrate that appearances can be deceiving; the group is not clinging to the remnants of the Glam rock sound.

The album begins with a solid four-pack that were mainstays in the early tours - Strutter, Nothin' to Lose, Firehouse and Cold Gin - though the band's first single, Kissin' Time, was not included on the original album. Deuce and Black Diamond became fan favorites as the gigs moved from the clubs/bars to stadiums.

This was a solid debut that has gained much more critical-acclaim since the release in February 1974. It is the KISS Army in boot camp, but they are already marching to the beat of a different drummer.

Kiss began in 1973 after recruting Ace Frehley and Peter Criss and than changing there name too KISS. By the end of 1973 KISS got a record deal with Cassablanca Records and by January of 74' there first LP hit the shelves. This CD right here is by far one of the greatest rock albums of the 70s being for 3 following reasons,
1. It was different. The only other band on the scene with makeup was The New York Dolls but besides that KISS were the first too take the makeup too the next level.
2. There Music was different more harder than before and took it too the next level and combined Glam Rock with Hard Rock too make a nice album.
3. The Stage Show they put on was different with the fireworks and Gene Simmons spitting out blood... All that stuff had only been seen but by a minor version compared too KISS by Alice Cooper but really hadn't been seen.
At first though KISS didnt gain the popularity they should of with there first three albums but than with KISS Alive! they became one of the hottest bands on the scene and by 1977 they were the biggest band in the world. But every band needs a start and this is KISS's start right here and a good one by that
1. Strutter, 5/5 stars
2. Nothin' To Lose 5/5 stars
3. Firehouse 5/5 stars
4. Cold Gin 5/5 stars
5. Let Me Know 5/5 stars
6. Kissin' Time 4.8/5 stars
7. Deuce 5/5 stars
8. Love Theme From KISS, 5/5 stars
9. 100,000 Years 5/5 stars
10. Black Diamond 5/5 stars

New bands should take a lesson from Kiss's debut album. If you want to make a STRONG foothold in the music industry, this album is a perfect example/blueprint to follow. There is not a bad song on here. Even the misconceived cover 'Kissin' Time' works because of the bands chemistry.

Over time, Kiss has lost their edge as musicians and as a band due to egos, vices, and break-ups. However, their first offering remains their best offering. And that offering remains an essential album by four flawed and very different musicians that by a stroke of luck found each other, and made one of the best rock albums to come out of the seventies.