Gold : Sound & Vision (Intl Ver.) ［2CD+DVD］

With so many Kiss compilations released over the years (with many containing very similar track listings), is it really necessary to release another one? In Kiss' case, you can never have enough, as evidenced by the release of 2004 triple-disc Gold: Sound+Vision. This collection will perk the interest of longtime fans, as one of the discs is the first ever DVD release of Kiss Exposed, which was originally issued on video back in 1987. While the DVD does contain quite a few great live performances from back in the '70s ("Deuce," "Strutter," "I Stole Your Love," etc.), the cheesy dialogue and attempts at being funny fall flat (most of which could've been marketed as Spinal Tap, Pt. 2). After a while, it gets a bit painful having to wade through the junk to get to the live clips. But the double-disc best-of is arguably the best and most thorough Kiss compilation assembled yet, as it spans from 1974 through 1982 (but omits selections from what many consider their best '80s-era release, 1982's Creatures of the Night). While all the expected classics are here ("Black Diamond," "Rock and Roll All Nite (Live)," "Detroit Rock City," etc.), it's the inclusion of oft-overlooked gems that makes the set so appealing ("Got to Choose," "Parasite," "Shock Me," "Sure Know Something," "Talk to Me," etc.). Will this be the last Kiss compilation to surface? Probably not, but you have to hand it to the kings of merchandising: it's a keeper. ~ Greg Prato|