Hit Collection '77

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Digitally remastered Japanese reissue of the band's secondalbum from 1974 in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to theinitial pressing only. 10 tracks, including 'Let Me Go, Rock'N Roll' and 'Comin' Home'. 1998 Mercury release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Description

Digitally remastered Japanese reissue of the band's secondalbum from 1974 in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to theinitial pressing only. 10 tracks, including 'Let Me Go, Rock'N Roll' and 'Comin' Home'. 1998 Mercury release.

Customer Reviews:

Puts the UHH! in underrated masterpiece!.......2007-06-07

When Kiss released "Hotter Than Hell", they were still trying to discover their niche. Their make-up had changed, and they experimented with a Japanese kabuki style for their sophomore album. That being said, "Hotter Than Hell" may have a different feel to it than some other Kiss albums. Their first album was great and opened the gateways for Kiss. This album, quite heavier than their debut, has some different vibes to it, here and there. However, with that being said, I think this is definitely a great album. While it still contains that blues influence of their debut, it seems to have prefigured the grunge-rock of the '90s, but is still an interesting gem even if you don't care for the grunge sound.
One thing you should know is that this album may be a little harder to find. I got mine offline, so maybe that's the way you should get it. However, if you're ever in the music store and see this, pick it up! My usual, track-for-track review following will help strengthen my reason to believe that every Kiss fan should own this.
"Got To Choose": Great riff with a cool groove and the Kiss-styled blues influence. Actually, even though this is the opener, this is the longest song on the album, and at only 3:54! Really good way to start off the album.
"Parasite": Love that riff! Peter Criss puts in some wicked drumming, Gene's vocal performance is high-quality, and Ace's stunning guitar soloing will leave you wanting more! Absolute rocker!
"Goin' Blind": A redo from Gene and Paul's Wicked Lester days. A haunting ballad-style song that I tend to think of as a "half-ballad". It has the feel of one, but is a bit more potent than your typical ballad. I always get such a strange image when I hear Gene sing, "But you're sixteen and I'm ninety-three".
"Hotter Than Hell": Another nice riff-rocker, and actually, this is a song about rejection that I don't mind hearing! Love the transition riff, it adds the heaviness to this one, and Ace's slow-motion blazing solo does, as well.
"Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll": At only 2:14, one would never think that so much incredible guitar work could be displayed in this anthem. An underrated, if short, Kiss gem that should definitely be enjoyed by your ears.
"All The Way": This is one of those songs that contains lyrics that aren't really too serious. I mean, hearing Gene sing things like, "You keep talking to your mother and father/ One of these days you're gonna push me all the way!", or however the lyric goes, shows that while Kiss can be heavy, they aren't neccessarily stiff or dark.
"Watchin' You": What a song! We got ourselves a sexy, heavy riff and some interesting lyrics, not to mention more of Ace's great guitar soloing. I love how at the end, they slightly change the lyric and sing, "Everybody else is here, watchin' us!".
"Mainline": The second-longest song on the album, at just a few seconds shorter than "Got To Choose". I got a kick outta hearin' Gene sing "I'm needin' some lovin'/ I'm hot like an oven/ It's so true". Actually, this song works well, in contrast to the darker shades of the lyrics in "Watchin' You".
"Coming Home": A melodic anthem with a catchy guitar riff, however, surprisingly, I don't recall a solo in this one! *gasp* Aw well, this two and a half minute rocker is still great.
"Strange Ways": A super-heavy riff rocker that's a really good way to end the album. Peter Criss's voice is perfect for the song, I just how soulful he sings the lyrics, especially when he sings, "So you can realize/ That I can set you free!". And Ace Frehley provides an outstandingly superb Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar solo. Such an awesome song with that F-minor groove!

Overall: While this may be different from other Kiss album, like others, it has its pros and cons, but is a great addition to any Kiss fan's collection. As I stated before, this is a rare find in store, but if you find it, you should definitely get it (or here on Amazon, that works well, too, obviously!). I hope you enjoy it like I did, rock on, and peace!

The Harder They Come..........2007-05-30

...That was initially supposed to be the title of this record until they decided on "Hotter Than Hell". Again, I think this is a great record for the songs it contains, but sonically, KISS was going for a harder edged sound, and some of them are really good, but some sound too distorted. But, awesome tunes on this one. The title track, "Got to Choose" "Parasite" "Let me Go R+R" to name a few. My favorites and lesser known gems are "Stange Ways" - written by Ace and sung by Peter - what a shame they didn't do that one live! Also, "Comin Home" and "Mainline" are cool riff rockers. Recently, they did "All the Way" on their Rock the Nation tour and it sounded great.

hotter than hell says it all!.......2007-02-28

hotter than hell is hotter than hell and is the
heaviest album of the first three. every song is
a killer and has many they never played live. Ace
Frehley's Strange Ways with Peter Criss singing is
just a killer and worth it for that. Songs like
Comin' Home, Mainline and All the Way are great!
If you don't have any of the first three I would
recommend this one first. hotter than hell!

Legitimately Bitchin'.......2006-12-28

Pre-ALIVE! KISS gets a bum rap, but I've never understood why. The first three albums are lil' lo-fi wonders, and HOTTER THAN HELL is my favorite of the bunch. "Goin' Blind" is insane, and oddly affecting -- Ace's "Parasite" is pure cartoon glamour....

sorry its not ace but rick on guitar.......2006-11-09

a great album but to all the reviews that comment on frehleys guitar playing be aware it was rick derringer who is the uncredited guitar player on this album. my source genes book and rick derringer himself who I talked to in person about all his work in the studio, still a classic album no matter who is on lead guitar...............PK

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