Music from the Elder

Released in 1981, Music from the Elder is the ninth studio album by KISS. It was also the final album Ace Freley did with KISS until the reunion many years later. Peter was already gone, replaced by Eric Carr. The Elder is a concept album based on a short story written by Gene Simmons. I have always sort of dug the record, but it was a huge disappointment for many KISS fans at the time of its release. Even KISS didn't much like it and, for the first time in their career, didn't tour to support a record. They have only recently begun playing a couple of the tunes live. Paul Stanley has admitted to not even remembering how to play the tunes.

Time does have a way of changing things. The young KISS fans have gotten older and a lot of them are starting to appreciate The Elder for what it is. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe the appreciation is genuine. Whatever the case, long-time KISS fans seem to hold the album in higher esteem today than they did in 1981.

It's never been one of my favorite KISS albums, but a few of the songs are really good. Taken individually, The Oath, Dark Light, Mr. Blackwell, A World Without Heroes, and I are all strong songs and could have been successfully included on other KISS albums. Dark Light is classic Frehley and I features a Stanley/Simmons lead vocal and exhibits some potential as an anthem.

During the period of The Elder Kiss cut their hair short and streamlined the costumes, going to basic leather costumes with minimal design and adornments.  The new look was not especially appealing to many fans any more than the new music was.