(Music From) The Elder (1981) Kiss Album Review

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  • čas přidán 15. 09. 2020
  • I review the 1981 Kiss album, (Music From) The Elder. Part 14 of my Kiss Retrospective.
    Patreon: / seanblumenshine
    Twitter: / blumenshinesean
    Instagram: / sean_blumenshine
    #kiss #genesimmons #paulstanley
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Komentáře • 695

  • @SeanBlumenshine
    @SeanBlumenshine  Před 3 lety +42

    It's the stallion and mare, not bear. Should've actually read the lyrics instead of pretending to. I don't think it actually makes the song that much better though.

    • @markmiller1212
      @markmiller1212 Před 3 lety +4

      Great even handed review! Hard to come by these days.

    • @rev_lost_soul
      @rev_lost_soul Před 3 lety +5

      If you don't think it makes the song any better, why do you know the lyrics? Or, are you one of those "glory hounds" that just looked it up for GP?

    • @SeanBlumenshine
      @SeanBlumenshine  Před 3 lety +14

      @@rev_lost_soul I have always heard the lyric as "stallion and the bear" which is what I stated in the review. Several commenters pointed out my mistake so I wanted to address it. I honestly do not know what you are trying to insinuate by calling me a glory hound. I made a mistake and wanted to correct it.

    • @markfoster1520
      @markfoster1520 Před 3 lety +3

      I wanted to hate on Sean since he is obviously far too young to know KISS....."That's your favourite song!?" But...true...he is even handed....God bless, Sean.

    • @rev_lost_soul
      @rev_lost_soul Před 3 lety +2

      @@SeanBlumenshine For shits sakes have we all been sucked up into this crap fest going on today that so many people can't tell when someone is tossing them a bit of sarcasm? Wow, guess I won't joke around anymore.

  • @Sergio.Punk1974
    @Sergio.Punk1974 Před 3 lety +45

    An album that was ignored by many fans, but that is one of my favorites. I love this album!
    I have my LP kept with great care.
    Great video, greetings straight from Brazil.

  • @ScottCampbell-fx1ic
    @ScottCampbell-fx1ic Před 3 lety +21

    The Elder is an awesome album!

  • @leokimvideo
    @leokimvideo Před 2 lety +5

    This album is usually hated by the 'die hard' 70's era Kiss fans who struggle to listen to anything past Love Gun. One major problem with this album is Ace had some great hard rocking tracks that never made the cut. Ace did the best thing possible and did his own stuff without the control freaks Paul & Gene stamping out his desires. The Elder has become a iconic Kiss album that's constantly requested at Kiss Kruises. A true Kiss fan has a place in their heart for this daring showcase of how good Kiss could be playing to the idea of a concept album.

  • @ESPecialEntertainment
    @ESPecialEntertainment Před 3 lety +28

    Very first KISS record I ever bought and listened to. Still my favorite out of all of them.

    • @brianstrutter1501
      @brianstrutter1501 Před rokem

      Can't believe it's your favorite but understand the love for it

  • @shaynedonnelly2901
    @shaynedonnelly2901 Před 3 lety +102

    Everyone has an opinion and that’s fine. This album changed my life. It’s my go to album and my all time favourite by far. It proved that Kiss could do anything. The songs are brilliant and the orchestra only adds to it. It’s the most underrated album in rock history. I really hope they do something for the 40th anniversary. Absolute classic

    • @richardlawson6787
      @richardlawson6787 Před 3 lety +11

      You have to be on heavy heavy drugs..this is a mess..sounds like something put together in three hours..you need to get high and listen to zeppelin..

    • @ac2376
      @ac2376 Před 3 lety +5

      @@richardlawson6787 LMAO!

    • @rickr2029
      @rickr2029 Před 3 lety +4

      ......it sure did prove they could do anything but it's yet to be explained what that "anything" is.
      ......And it's rated exactly as it should be.

    • @richardlawson6787
      @richardlawson6787 Před 3 lety +4

      @@rickr2029 even paul stanley said it's trash...easily the worst album of any band put on the market..ace said it made him so mad he quit the band...anybody that paid hard earned cash for this trash should sue kiss for their money back

    • @rickr2029
      @rickr2029 Před 3 lety +3

      @@richardlawson6787 100% Richard!
      The amount of the gushing comments is hard to comprehend.
      And the flack that Ace received for leaving afterwards????
      He was on to something!
      Creatures was two albums too late. They needed it to follow Dynasty.

  • @germinal_ok
    @germinal_ok Před 3 lety +32

    I agree that "I'm a Legend tonight" and "Nowhere to Run" are killer Kiss songs

  • @chrisbaker9455
    @chrisbaker9455 Před 3 lety +20

    1 of my favorite KISS albums, I've always thought it was a brilliant album and medieval along with the new outfits, really awesome!

    • @twikirobot6897
      @twikirobot6897 Před 3 lety +1

      You get it. 👍

    • @larrygonzales5245
      @larrygonzales5245 Před 2 lety +1

      And they actually had a stage setup that was medieval like should the Elder had been successful.

  • @shawnstarks1743
    @shawnstarks1743 Před 3 lety +4

    I can tell you this, If the band GHOST redid the Elder. They would sell millions. This is right up there alley.

  • @stickitinyourear2011
    @stickitinyourear2011 Před 3 lety +11

    Paul had the same necklace my grandma use to wear.

  • @l.salisbury1253
    @l.salisbury1253 Před 3 lety +26

    I first heard "The Elder" playing in a record store when it came out... and I LUVED it! I bought it right on-the-spot! (I was not a KISS fan at the time.) I STILL love this album in spite of its flaws!
    I met Gene at an in-store in '03 and told him how I felt about "The Elder". SHHIITT!! You shouldda seen the dirty look he gave me! (And he wasn't wearing his demon make-up at the time!)...

    • @manolokonosko2868
      @manolokonosko2868 Před 3 lety +1

      Yeah, dirty look, but he sure cashed in those checks from the sales of the record, even to this day from the remastered reissues. Gene is full of shit.

    • @farrellmcnulty909
      @farrellmcnulty909 Před rokem +1

      Praising the album probably didn't fit into his narrative. He strikes me as the type that feels someone doesn't matter if they disagree with him.

  • @williamhenderson8371
    @williamhenderson8371 Před rokem +4

    This album always makes me smile. What everyone misses is this is essentially KISS’s Dungeons and Dragons album. The funniest thing about it is that it is always panned by the critics and the band even apologizes for it but the fans absolutely LOVE this album.

  • @toxicpig5652
    @toxicpig5652 Před 3 lety +58

    I don't care what pple says music from the Elder is a badass album

    • @kingbreck4648
      @kingbreck4648 Před 3 lety +3

      I have it on vinyl and this doesn’t even make sense. I hate this album, sure, I may listen to it again, but I don’t think it will be any good

    • @dulapeep8736
      @dulapeep8736 Před 3 lety

      Especially songs like "Dark Light" & "Mr. Blackwell." In my opinion the album is good buy it's not perfect.

    • @MrMalkinPens71
      @MrMalkinPens71 Před rokem

      @@kingbreck4648 that’s because it’s not good it’s overindulgence at it’s worst and a band at it’s lowest point it makes unmasked look like destroyer or love gun

  • @waynedhouse4103
    @waynedhouse4103 Před 3 lety +7

    Fan since 1980, I got this awesome album for my 10th birthday. This blew my 10 year old mind and imagination

  • @hugorafaelchairezbaylon8472

    Ace's "Dark light" it's a master piece.
    Space with Ace!!!!!

  • @markkonzerowsky8871
    @markkonzerowsky8871 Před 3 lety +58

    "The Elder" is the best Blue Oyster Cult record ever made by Kiss.

  • @TheRiddaren
    @TheRiddaren Před 2 lety +5

    i love this album so much. Under the rose, The Oath, WWH, Dark light - my favorites.

  • @drew.reviews
    @drew.reviews Před 3 lety +13

    I listen to The Elder when I'm out on walks. It's weird, but I like it. I also enjoy Killers a lot.

    • @RighteousBrother
      @RighteousBrother Před 3 lety +1

      I've never listened to it, you've inspired me to give it a try.

  • @rsoliz1279
    @rsoliz1279 Před 3 lety +62

    The Elder is a Masterpiece.

  • @mikeindel
    @mikeindel Před 3 lety +41

    Hated it when it came out..listened recently..its a solid rock album, i love it now..it wasnt appreciated at the time

    • @Prof_Tickles92
      @Prof_Tickles92 Před 2 lety

      Bro…it’s still bad.

    • @hulksmash8159
      @hulksmash8159 Před 2 lety

      @@Prof_Tickles92 It's all subjective.

    • @rudycompton5366
      @rudycompton5366 Před 2 lety

      Still hate it. Never bought it
      Someone gave it to me. Listen once.

    • @rudycompton5366
      @rudycompton5366 Před 2 lety

      Kiss lost track from dynasty until creatures....in that time, they let their ego's take over. They were trying to impress, they forgot what made them kiss. That's why ace & Peter left. Then they took off the make up. They were steadily selling out...then came 1996........they went back to their core... make up, ace, peter....soon enough, gene & Paul's control issues came back.

  • @rev_lost_soul
    @rev_lost_soul Před 3 lety +17

    I've been a KISS fan since the first time I laid my eyes upon them and heard their music (ABC's In Concert 2/21/74). No, I'm not going to say I'm their number 1 fan, or I know everything about them; however, I am a loyal fan and in my opinion(which counts just as much as any other fan, so don't talk any shit), KISS never had a "bad" album. Maybe there are some that could have been enhanced with modern technology but "bad?" NO WAY!!

    • @brianstrutter1501
      @brianstrutter1501 Před rokem

      Totally agree. Some better than others but not one bad album. 🤘

    • @brettdavidson3866
      @brettdavidson3866 Před rokem

      Kurt being a loyal fan is one thing being a fan means you should not like everything about them because that means you won’t criticize or critique anything about them

  • @OutOnTheTiles
    @OutOnTheTiles Před 2 lety +3

    Love this album. Has at least 5 killer tunes. Not as consistent but still a solid album.

  • @damo7776
    @damo7776 Před 3 lety +2

    Dude loved your review of this. Great work! I have a soft spot for it. Still listen to it once every few years

  • @jackherman9064
    @jackherman9064 Před 3 lety +4

    Thank you for courageously sharing your opinion on this album. It really does take courage to speak out and you clearly have no fear whatsoever of being wrong. Good for you!

  • @Dan.50
    @Dan.50 Před 3 lety +50

    No such thing as a bad KISS record. The Elder was great.

    • @Nazman06
      @Nazman06 Před 3 lety +5

      Dynasty sucked .The elder sucked and everything after it sucked

    • @marksantucci4230
      @marksantucci4230 Před 3 lety +6

      @@Nazman06 Dynasty is great just because it's not Love gun , Destroyer or Rock n roll all over doesn't mean it sucks?
      it's a 7th place album?

    • @asportingview9712
      @asportingview9712 Před 3 lety +2

      Yeah, I’m with you. Just like McCartney and Wings...if you’re a fan, there’s always at least one song that you like. Elder is my least favorite KISS album and hated the album cover (you have to have the comic book KISS on a cover...wtf were they thinking?) and Gene Simmons crying in a video (as he said...Demons don’t cry) but the album is interesting to listen to.

    • @marksantucci4230
      @marksantucci4230 Před 3 lety +2

      @@asportingview9712 these would be my least favorite Kiss albums
      1. Sonic boom
      1. Hot in the shade
      1. Carnival of souls
      1. Asylum
      1. Crazy nights.

    • @AMadScientist
      @AMadScientist Před 3 lety +3

      @@Nazman06 The stuff that came out after Creatures of the Night was total "follow the leader"
      The tried that with disco I was made for loving you and sort of got away with it. However, there horrid mid to late 80's attempt at "being 80's" SUCKED. Paul dancing around in flowing robes was comical.
      Then Carnival of Souls...LMAO...there attempt at grunge. BHAHAHAHAH

  • @josez1
    @josez1 Před 3 lety +10

    This is a great album. Eric Carr’s Escape from the Island is a great track. “I” is a great hype me up song.

  • @Hotgarbage100
    @Hotgarbage100 Před 3 lety +35

    The Elder is my favorite Kiss album along with Carnival of Souls, because they are so different!!!!

    • @mirkomoliterni3468
      @mirkomoliterni3468 Před 3 lety +3

      Maybe you don't like Kiss

    • @connorshaw2618
      @connorshaw2618 Před 3 lety +2

      I agree...they are two of my favorites as well

    • @mikeglazier5993
      @mikeglazier5993 Před 3 lety +4

      I LOVE Carnival of souls

    • @joehobbs3277
      @joehobbs3277 Před 3 lety +2

      I certainly don’t disagree with you but if I had to choose between 3 kiss records I’d pick crazy nights animalize and lick it up carnival of souls for me was just an ok kind of record yes it gets interesting on a song or two but when you read about it and find out that Peter and ace weren’t even involved on the record your kind of out off depending on what era kiss you like and what line up your into

    • @connorshaw2618
      @connorshaw2618 Před 3 lety

      @@joehobbs3277 Ace and Peter were out long before Carnival of souls...you must be mistaken Psycho Circus..they were supposed to be on the album

  • @TwistedSMF
    @TwistedSMF Před 3 lety +10

    Great video! Yeah the problem with The Elder was it just was very poorly timed. Musically, It's awesome! I think there is a interview I read somewhere? Where Ace said "The problem I had with the Elder was after Unmasked, I wanted a more hard rock record. If Creatures were to come first and then Elder? I would had gotten more into it." Or something like that. I agree with Ace. Also if it came out later? MTV just was starting to get going. They could had released a music video to accompany the music. That was the problem as you said with The Elder. You had NOTHING visually to go with the music. It was a soundtrack a movie with no movie.

  • @sonicriccardi7575
    @sonicriccardi7575 Před 3 lety +8

    This video sums up my thoughts best, potential was high, but they should’ve stuck to they’re promise & do a heavy album, can’t wait for the creatures video next, loving all these KISS album videos

  • @everythingbobbywolfe
    @everythingbobbywolfe Před 3 lety +1

    Love the content of your channel. This is a true, honest and well thought out video. The way review channels should be.
    Great work. Woukd like to hear your reviews of the live albums. Hope your channel grows exponentially.

  • @cooltheengines
    @cooltheengines Před 3 lety +4

    The lyric in the song odyssey is “Stand the stallion and the mare”

  • @rainwaterjoseph4634
    @rainwaterjoseph4634 Před 3 lety +13

    Elder rocks. Not their best album, but DEFINITELY NOT their worst. Its top 10 for sure.

  • @alejandromartinez-ve2uh
    @alejandromartinez-ve2uh Před 3 lety +6

    Great album !

  • @itsyoboyconnor7135
    @itsyoboyconnor7135 Před rokem +1

    I just got "The Elder" a couple weeks ago for my Record Collection. When I was a little younger (roughly around my middle school years), I didn't have any interest of this Album, But until my Junior year of High School I went back to this album again. And still to this day, I still think it's a good album, Hell I'd say it's a great album but I don't want to start a Riot. I just graduated High School in June of 2022 and this Album helped me get me through those boring days of school. Definitely a Top 10 Kiss album for me.

  • @Markotto09
    @Markotto09 Před 3 lety +9

    They should’ve listened to Ace. I personally like The Elder, however this is when they needed Creatures of the Night.

    • @JENDALL714
      @JENDALL714 Před 3 lety +1

      Funny, how when they did listen to Ace during the Creatures of the Night sessions, he was nowhere to be found.

  • @CincinnatusPublish
    @CincinnatusPublish Před 3 lety +3

    "There's a clarity to the album." I picked it up the day it was released. The original release was a little muffled. The remaster in the 90's cleared that up along with fixing the order of the songs. On Odyssey, Paul is trying to sing on a lower register than his natural register, however he does a good job on the falsetto.
    It's interesting hearing the impression of someone who is probably half my age who wasn't there while it was happening, but is able to give a perceptive from their own time frame. Very cool. You do a great job!

  • @KISStributeNYC97
    @KISStributeNYC97 Před rokem

    Really cool video. Love hearing the backstory info on the tunes. I received the album as a Christmas gift..December of 81. I was 8. And I remember being disappointed that there were NO pictures of the band! A band that was based on imagery…a band that ALWAYS had a picture on a album cover up until that point…and there was nothing. That being said…I liked the record, and still do.
    Glad I stumbled upon your channel…great thumbnail, too! Subscribed!!!

  • @marcin2x4
    @marcin2x4 Před 3 lety +3

    Having vinyl edition shows your dedication, no matter the review outcome. Kudos to you!

    • @farrellmcnulty909
      @farrellmcnulty909 Před rokem

      I once paid 75 bucks for what turned out to be a used picture disc of the Elder that skipped like there was no tomorrow.

  • @samus4040
    @samus4040 Před 2 lety

    Great work and retrospective Sean. And thank you for this history lesson on Elder. Terrific work.

  • @Rhythmicsolo
    @Rhythmicsolo Před 3 lety +1

    Spot on! Really enjoyed your breakdown here....I look forward to your next review :-)

  • @mtrich8113
    @mtrich8113 Před 3 lety +8

    I personally loved the album and the song "The Oath" I felt was an apology for writing
    " I was made for loving you".

    • @twikirobot6897
      @twikirobot6897 Před 3 lety +2

      One of the heaviest KISS songs.....still using that falsetto voice that started with Dynasty though.

    • @chrisbaker9455
      @chrisbaker9455 Před 2 lety +1

      THE OATH IS MY MOST FAVORITE SONG ON THE ELDER, IT'S PRETTY DAMN HEAVY AND FAST.

    • @CrazyLG72
      @CrazyLG72 Před 2 lety

      Ace plays the Bass on the Oath. This song is 1 of my favorite Kiss songs! Carr's drumming is excellent

  • @scottbull8309
    @scottbull8309 Před 3 lety +4

    One album that has gained so much negativity over time that it has become its own entity yet has managed to become one of my favorites due to that fact. All in all at the end of the day it just showcases just how diverse they can be or were at that particular line up.

  • @shyman99
    @shyman99 Před 3 lety +13

    "A World Without Heroes" is not only the best song on the album, but it's arguably the very best recording in their entire catalog.

    • @bigslick
      @bigslick Před 3 lety +2

      It's good, but I disagree, THE OATH is the best song here.

    • @hadeseye2297
      @hadeseye2297 Před 3 lety +1

      I don't listen to The Elder at all.
      Can't find anything interesting there.

    • @kkdeveauxgue2784
      @kkdeveauxgue2784 Před 3 lety +1

      Definitly the Oath and Only You and I,Odessey is good too

    • @kkdeveauxgue2784
      @kkdeveauxgue2784 Před 3 lety

      He's a young buck,he wasnt even around when it came out,yeah it was a Real shocker

    • @crissdrums3975
      @crissdrums3975 Před 3 lety +1

      BEST kiss song ever is W W Heroes

  • @africanchildren
    @africanchildren Před 3 lety +3

    This album is a masterpiece. It is amazing to hear KISS sing I as an end of concert song.

  • @brianca1970
    @brianca1970 Před 3 lety

    Great review, Sean! A life-long KISS fan, my reaction to “(Music from) The Elder” in 1981 was similar to most - bewilderment. However, over time I’ve grown to like most of the tracks. I love your analogy of the “plot” equating to Luke Skywalker staring at the two moons in “A New Hope” - brilliant.

  • @toralm6974
    @toralm6974 Před 3 lety +2

    KISS made a Power Metal album before powermetal. In 83 they made a rap/ rock track" all hell's breakin' loose", first again....

  • @JoshLevineSpeaks
    @JoshLevineSpeaks Před 3 lety +2

    You nailed it. Spot on. Great critique.

  • @briankirwan6958
    @briankirwan6958 Před 3 lety

    Surprisingly intelligent amd balanced review of an album I quiet likes depsite the pompous silliness of the concept.
    Listeing to these songs again after 30 years it sounds better than I would expect. Thank you.

  • @DickTwatkins
    @DickTwatkins Před 3 lety +1

    My 9 year old son likes KISS and yesterday in the car I let him hear it for the first time and the spoken bit at the end spooked him out a little and he wanted me to turn it off 😆

  • @Ticonderous1
    @Ticonderous1 Před 3 lety +15

    Eric Carr " WOO HOO I am now in KISS the greatest band in the world "
    Gene Simmons " We are doing a concept album called The Elder "
    Eric Carr " ?????? WTF "

    • @hadeseye2297
      @hadeseye2297 Před 3 lety

      Best concept album?
      Bathory - Blood on ice.

    • @Ticonderous1
      @Ticonderous1 Před 3 lety +3

      @@hadeseye2297 ... i never said best concept album anywhere ????
      I personally think "The Wall " is probably the best concept album ever written

    • @hadeseye2297
      @hadeseye2297 Před 3 lety

      @@Ticonderous1 That's a good one indeed.

  • @jimilove7773
    @jimilove7773 Před 3 lety +4

    Loved it from the day it came out! Kiss went Euro metal and priest scorps went KISS at this point! Bam!

  • @michaelcox7687
    @michaelcox7687 Před 3 lety +12

    If this had been their top selling album, Gene and Paul would praise it as Their Best. They are so commercial and pop, it's embarrassing. Yes, I've been a fan since 1976; but they are hard to respect as musicians.
    Everything is based on $

    • @nssherlock4547
      @nssherlock4547 Před 3 lety +3

      $ are the score card in our society. The $ allow them, to do the big productions befitting of The greatest band in the world. Expensive ego's !!

    • @22walchuk
      @22walchuk Před 3 lety +1

      Not sure how you can say they are hard to respect as musicians lol. They have 40 years of amazing music and success. Show us your successful albums and maybe I'll respect your opinion lol

    • @michaelcox7687
      @michaelcox7687 Před 3 lety +3

      @@22walchuk fair enough. I probably worded that poorly. As working musicians, they are second to none! I completely admire the effort they put forth for their fans. I just wish as Artists, they could appreciate the times they stretched, and not just based it on how it sold.

    • @mooch514
      @mooch514 Před 2 lety

      They have almost 50 years of success. Ups and downs....kiss Like them or not remain one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time....and all bands are about $$$

    • @MrMalkinPens71
      @MrMalkinPens71 Před rokem

      Michael Cox So When they album fails they should throw a party you have to be on drugs to like elder it’s terrible and should have ended the band thank god it didn’t we got creatures next one of the best they ever made

  • @tommykawasaki9676
    @tommykawasaki9676 Před 2 lety +2

    This album has a tremendous success, that isn’t measured.
    It’s the most talked about & controversial Kiss record made.
    Now that’s saying something.
    Imagine for just one moment, IF they would have had better direction & production & really fleshed this out. (Who don’t love the chosen hero story) This thing could have just as easily took off like gang busters, gotten more radio play & appealed to a much broader audience, blossomed into a movie & gotten awards & all kinds of accolades.
    What conversation would we be having then ?
    The point being, they had an idea & they ran with it & we’re in an amazing position to do so. Not many bands have dared try. It was bold & brave & I love it, as do so many others.
    This is art after all. Art is the expression of a vision, good, bad or ugly.

  • @billjannusch
    @billjannusch Před 3 lety +2

    I loved "The Elder" though I thought it was very strange. When I was a young 8 year old kid in 1980 I got into KISS' "Alive II" live album and "Double Platinum" hits collection thanks to a few older friends who gave me the albums as gifts. I became a huge fan quickly. I was playing those albums all the time on our family stereo with headphones and soon after on my own stereo. I got "Music From The Elder" for my 10th birthday and even though I thought it was weird, I actually liked it a lot. As I have said before, there were a lot of fantasy and barbarian style films coming out around 1981. We had just swen Clash Of The Titans, the first film and soon after the Conan films and He-Man cartoons about warriors in strange lands. I also collected a lot of comic books then. I also happened to see all of the 1981 KISS TV interviews and performances on TV on Fridays and Solid Gold when they were new so that got me into it more too. I thought it was really interesting. I remained a KISS fanatic the rest of my life and I saw the band 26 times live between then and since then as well as meeting them too in 2005. I also saw the reunion year tours five shows between 1996-2000 and 17 shows with the current line up. But I still like "The Elder" today. I do prefer the more normal heavy records like "Creatures Of The Night" and "Destroyer", but "The Elder" is very uniquely cool. I kept listening to it every couple weeks since then. No other metal metal band has since tried yo do something anything like it so it's a one of a kind. Ace did some of his solos on it too. They did experimental stuff. Some people love it. Some hate it, but KISS had the guts to try something different. I think songs like "The Oath", "Escape From The Island", "Mr.Blackwell", and "Only You" really jam. So does "Under The Rose". I do love the songs on "Killers" too. But "Creatures Of The Night" came a long and exploded into existence. It became my favorite KISS album ever. It was leaps and bounds better.

  • @zennomad258
    @zennomad258 Před rokem

    Best review of the elder I’ve ever heard now my love for this album is much stronger! Thank upu

  • @stvalue3
    @stvalue3 Před 3 lety +13

    It’s a lot better than Crazy Nights!

  • @TheCreativesSpacePodcast

    While I personally enjoyed the album, I really enjoyed your episode. You're very well-versed in the subject, and I think it adds a great perspective on the album, showing the reasons why the scrutiny surrounding may be deserving. Cheers to you.

  • @MustangStevie7
    @MustangStevie7 Před 3 lety +3

    One of best KISS albums, and I am glad they returned the order of songs how they should have been. Also remember Pink Floyd did album before a movie was made, they thought same might happen. I think its a shame movie didnt come out. This is 1980 remember.

  • @guioguio1Nation70
    @guioguio1Nation70 Před 3 lety +2

    This ALBUM WAS Dope...Reminds me of LORD OF THE RINGS...how Someone who thinks They cant fight or is too weak...But TAKES THE OATH...and Goes through Demons...Mr. BlackWell...
    While On a Journey...Then realizes...
    ALL HE NEEDS is To Believe In Himself
    I BELIVE IN ME...DOPE ASS ALBUM

  • @uuu098
    @uuu098 Před 3 lety +4

    I wish I was old enough to remember when this was released to see the reactions first hand. I love this album because it is bizarre and even laughable at moments. It has some great songs however: Mr. Blackwell, I, The Oath. Kiss has followed the music trends ever since they wrote the disco flavored 'I Was Made for Loving You'. When Kiss released The Elder, Pink Floyds The Wall was released 2 years prior with same producer Bob Ezrin. This is not a coincidence.

    • @meatwad1
      @meatwad1 Před 3 lety +1

      KISS are fond of saying they aren't a critics band and they don't follow trends, they start them. They started out as a cross between The New York Dolls and Alice Cooper. Then when disco was in vogue they wrote some disco or disco flavored songs. In the late 70's and early 80's progressive rock bands like Yes and Genesis were selling a lot of albums and new wave bands started appearing with short hair to distance themselves from the hippies and the 70's. So the guys in KISS got haircuts and KISS recorded a concept album just like every other prog rock band of the day.
      In the early 80's when every metal band on earth had a lead guitarist aping Eddie Van Halen, KISS replaced Ace with a series of shredders who fit that mold. And when every other band in England and North America started using synthesizers and drum machines, KISS started using electronic drums from Lick It Up on. And when the Seattle bands made KISS and other 80's hair bands look like a joke, KISS reinvented themselves as a Grunge band. And finally, when Nirvana kicked off the "unplugged' trend, KISS was quick to jump on the bandwagon. After that they gave up on trying to remain contemporary and became a nostalgia act. I like a few of KISS' albums from their 70's heyday but much of what they say is self-serving, marketing nonsense.

  • @schmides9896
    @schmides9896 Před 3 lety

    Great back story on this album. Nice work, Sean

  • @thomasmiller9671
    @thomasmiller9671 Před 3 lety +13

    A world without heros best song on this album. Hands down!!

    • @rommix0
      @rommix0 Před rokem +1

      And it was the biggest hit off that record (#56 on Hot 100)

    • @farrellmcnulty909
      @farrellmcnulty909 Před rokem

      @@rommix0 I love the guitar solo. It makes the whole situation even eerier than it started off to be.

  • @transparentzwindows
    @transparentzwindows Před 3 lety +4

    Dark Light has one of Ace's greatest guitar solos evah!!! So much air guitar...I member seeing "A World Without Heroes" performed on Solid Gold...good times!

  • @MrAOdom1966
    @MrAOdom1966 Před 2 lety +2

    I waited in anticipation for this album to be released and from the moment I heard THE OATH I was a fan. I love this album despite what anyone, including Gene and Paul, has to say

  • @everythingbobbywolfe
    @everythingbobbywolfe Před 3 lety +4

    Every band that's had a modicum of success want to feel a sense of further accomplishment. The concept album is the crowing glory or pinnacle for a band, in many artist's mind. They wanted to create their 'The Wall' or 'Tommy' or even 'Sgt Pepper's'. I suspect these albums were constructed with great ideas that formed the concept album and not the other way around. Kiss, no matter what anyone says, are not professional song writers. They're a band that writes catchy music. Neil Sedaka, Burt Bacharach, Kris Kristopherson, Danny Elfman, etc are professional songwriters. These people can be given a topic/story/show/movie/artist and pop out 15 pieces of music that fit the project. The Beatles did it for the same reason pink Floyd or the who did it. They had great ideas and concepts. That is why bands eventually start putting out crap or mediocrity. They run out of catchy stuff. There's no shame in not being a professional songwriter or composer. They are in great company. Acdc, Def lep, the who, rush, stones, van Halen, etc. They all ran out of their big ideas.

  • @ontheroadwithyode390
    @ontheroadwithyode390 Před 3 lety +2

    I was 11 when the album was released after being obsessed with KISS since 76 not unlike millions of KISS fans of the 70s. I admit, I initially was confused by the imagery and then by the music. I remember actually checking the album cover a couple of times to confirm this actually was the KISS I knew and loved. It was no Love Gun thats for sure. But KISS could have released an album of Gregorian chants back then and I would have bought it and I did listen to it frequently. A couple of years later with the release of Lick It Up, and Kiss were back in vogue, it was almost a badge of honor for those of us that weathered through Unmasked/The Elder and Creatures....we became the "true" KISS fans. Then "Tears Are Falling" was released and I was out !

  • @shawnbrown2726
    @shawnbrown2726 Před 3 lety +2

    I would ve loved to see Kiss do a concept album based on the psycho circus comic books from image and or expand the song 'Unholy' into a concept album. great reviews , keep up the nice work

  • @TheChadTI
    @TheChadTI Před rokem +1

    Love it! Under the Rose 🌹 is one of my favorite KISS songs ever.

  • @MascarasMil
    @MascarasMil Před 3 lety

    I really appreciate your analysis. Well done.

  • @marciocoelho2481
    @marciocoelho2481 Před 3 lety +1

    I got into hard rock and metal because of KISS, back in 1983. The first album I got was Creatures, and the second was The Elder. I loved it back then, still do today. I understand it is much different from your average KISS and it was a failed project, but there are some really good songs in it, and the general production is above average. When it rocks, it really rocks. I don't care who wrote what or who played what, all that matters to me is the effect is has on me, and it deffinitely moves me.

  • @grahamfraser5938
    @grahamfraser5938 Před 3 lety +2

    I guess that everybody has an individual taste but personally I thought that it was one of the best albums KISS ever recorded. I still love it today!

  • @daviddyer2350
    @daviddyer2350 Před 3 lety +3

    I've really started to like it alot as I got older. There are some awesome songs on it.

  • @syfman6
    @syfman6 Před 3 lety +3

    Great album, one of my favs. The door knocker is a Rose. Did you even listen to the album?
    🤪

  • @mrjonesy2112
    @mrjonesy2112 Před 3 lety +3

    My favourite Kiss album!

  • @jorgealbertofloressosa3452

    the best KISS concept album one of my favorites in this genre

  • @connorshaw2618
    @connorshaw2618 Před 3 lety

    I believe the lyric is "Stands a Stallion and a Mare" ...love you're show brother...keep up the good work. I've been recommending you to all my Facebook KISS groups

    • @SeanBlumenshine
      @SeanBlumenshine  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks man! I've always heard bear. I should've looked at the lyrics.

    • @connorshaw2618
      @connorshaw2618 Před 3 lety +1

      @@SeanBlumenshine its definitely one of KISSs harder to understand album...Paul's falsetto didnt help

  • @rickr2029
    @rickr2029 Před 3 lety +2

    From these "comments" (not the vlog) if I knew Nothing about the band, The Elder is a phenomenal masterpiece "Go-To" album.

  • @rfilianogmailcom
    @rfilianogmailcom Před 3 lety +2

    Very underrated album. Especially the Dark Light song Frehley puts agaim his peculiar style on. They might bring a good storyteller and make the movie. Most of the songs don't sound like KISS but same as in Dynasty and Unmasked those are very good songs, for a different band but good aongs indeed.

  • @Zundfolge2000
    @Zundfolge2000 Před 3 lety +2

    I knew nothing of this record until middle school (late 80's). Got a recorded cassette of it. Thought it was kinda cool...different.
    Now I've come to the place where I think we owe Paul an apology...it IS a masterpiece. It has become one of my 4 favorite Kiss albums.

    • @twikirobot6897
      @twikirobot6897 Před 3 lety +1

      Unfortunately, Paul thinks it's terrible because it flopped and didn't make any money.
      If people would have bought it and praised it back then - it would be a different story.

  • @philsbs2007
    @philsbs2007 Před 2 lety +1

    Listening to and then rating an album after the uh "Era" has past, is like taking a sentence from a conversation out of context. I appreciate the extensive research you used to back up your argument but, you had to be there. This album was and still is badass. OG Kiss fans love it.

  • @seanpearl8156
    @seanpearl8156 Před 2 lety +2

    If you understand the premise of the album, a concept album / fantasy movie soundtrack, then it is a fantastic album. I appreciate the versatility and range of KISS. JUST A BOY...ONLY YOU...UNDER THE ROSE...A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES...THE OATH...I...= 6 very good songs!

    • @MrMalkinPens71
      @MrMalkinPens71 Před rokem

      No it’s not if I understand the concept of the wall and the songs were garbage that would be different but those songs work kiss is not a Group of great players if I wanted complex music I’d listen to Toto

  • @michaelmacleod6517
    @michaelmacleod6517 Před 2 lety +2

    I could listen to Under The Rose on repeat, and never get tired of it.
    However I do wish Just A Boy was a longer, more fuller song.

  • @chopotone
    @chopotone Před 3 lety +3

    I love this album !!

  • @martinzinn6108
    @martinzinn6108 Před 2 lety +1

    “The Elder”, is my all time favourite...It’s like stepping into an adventure...and believe in yourself along the way...It’s the heroes journey... :)

  • @westaustralianprowrestling2784

    Enjoyed the review, I'm a big fan of the Elder although that came about a decade after its original release. I don't agree on Don't Run being better than Dark Light though.

  • @jetcitysinatra7300
    @jetcitysinatra7300 Před 2 lety +1

    I have been listening to the Elder going on 40 years and it is as good today as it was back when it was first put out. I am not sure why they have not went back in and remastered it but there you go.

  • @johnoliver189
    @johnoliver189 Před 2 lety +1

    I just heard it and I am a seventies KISS fan since 75” and the Elder grew on me ! That Bob Ezern guy at it again! 👍

  • @UOYTmobile
    @UOYTmobile Před 3 lety

    I love this album reasons why is growing up in the 80s and into fantasy and adventure this opened my imagination. I know people either love it or hate it. I have every record they ever recorded. When I want to take my mind of everything going on in society this is just an escape for me and brings me back to my youth.

  • @luciodellaporta7201
    @luciodellaporta7201 Před 3 lety +15

    I disagree, this is a great album, their sin was just trying to do something different, if you just listen to the album without all your preconceived ear clishes you will really enjoy the album, one of their best

    • @brettdavidson1590
      @brettdavidson1590 Před 3 lety +1

      No it doesn’t work at all it’s kiss trying to be something their not ambition doesn’t equal Excellence

    • @luciodellaporta7201
      @luciodellaporta7201 Před 3 lety

      How many albums Kiss did applying the classic formula without achieving excellence?? MANY, why you crucify them for jamming something different? Take.iff the roadblock from you ears and enjoy a great album, one of the best, also the artwork is awesome

    • @twikirobot6897
      @twikirobot6897 Před 3 lety

      I got it when it came out....and I still love it. I knew most people wouldn't get it though. The experimentation never bothered me, and was glad to see they could do other things. It's "heavy" in a different way.

    • @MrMalkinPens71
      @MrMalkinPens71 Před rokem

      @@luciodellaporta7201 the reality is The formula Of Kiss Is Creatures lick it up revenge love Gun etc I am all for a band having ambition ambition doesn’t equal Quality

    • @MrMalkinPens71
      @MrMalkinPens71 Před rokem

      @@twikirobot6897 right it’s heavy but it is bad lyrically etc In a Way and structure wise that Lick it up revenge Creatures rock and roll over etc are not

  • @helgeellingsen4430
    @helgeellingsen4430 Před 3 lety +2

    fantastic album.a masterpiece.a classic....just misunderstood for many years.the elder...superb.

  • @freshsouphotgoopbandoffici9380

    Great review. I agree with you completely in this. And yes, I still listen to this album.

  • @CamperKev
    @CamperKev Před 3 lety +4

    I love the album.

  • @billygoth
    @billygoth Před 3 lety

    Love your channel. Keep up the good work. I have a love hate relationship with the elder. Some really great tracks on here. I just feel bad for Paul. I love Paul's solo on world without hero's. ✌

  • @RiffMusic1970
    @RiffMusic1970 Před 3 lety +2

    Only You is outstanding.

  • @jamiesonmathias7859
    @jamiesonmathias7859 Před rokem

    Hey Sean Blumenshine can you or someone else here. Put on here the order of the tracks the way you think it works better please ?
    And your reviews are great man where's a review for Dynasty I haven't been able to find it ?

  • @mercury4metal
    @mercury4metal Před 3 lety +1

    Loved the album when it was released, still love it today. 🎸

  • @sabbathoneseveneight8643
    @sabbathoneseveneight8643 Před 3 lety +1

    Still waiting on the movie. The soundtrack would make sense. I remember being excited with rumors about KISS doing another movie, so i went and bought the album.

  • @docrock2199
    @docrock2199 Před 2 lety

    Where did you get the shirt?? 😍

  • @teenageslaves
    @teenageslaves Před 3 lety +1

    This was the last nail in the Kiss coffin for me as a teenage boy...fuck this...became a punk by then.

  • @bobbavet
    @bobbavet Před 3 lety +7

    One of my favorites. If you can't imagine a story. You have no imagination.