By Kiss, 1997

Japanese pressing of this 1977 album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Kiss have been one of the best-selling Rock bands in history. Since the Japanese min-LP sleeves were introduced into the marketplace, it was no surprise to find that Kiss have sold more CDs in this limited edition format than any other artist.

10 tracks including 'Christine Sixteen', 'Shock Me' and 'Plaster Caster'. Distriibuted for a limited time in Europe with new UPC number. Universal.The last album with the original lineup (unless you count the 1998 reunion Psycho Circus), Love Gun contains a few missteps (such as the reworking of the classic "Then He Kissed Me") but is mostly packed to the gills with the good, fun, trashy rock & roll that made Kiss legendary.

One frequently overlooked high point is the song "Almost Human," which strikes a positively creepy note. Then there's Ace Frehley's first stint on lead vocals with "Shock Me," the un-PC but affectionate "Plaster Caster," and the well-known title track. True, there's no equivalent to "Rock & Roll All Night" (the obvious attempt falls flat), but that doesn't stop this from being not only classic Kiss, but classic 1970s rock.

-- Genevieve Williams

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