Description
Kiss – Lick It Up – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Kiss’s Lick It Up, released on September 18, 1983, is a pivotal album in the band’s career and one of the most significant turning points in their legacy. Not only did it mark the band’s bold move into the glam-metal mainstream of the 1980s, but it also signaled the end of an era—Lick It Up was the first Kiss album released without their signature makeup, unveiling the faces behind the personas for the first time in public. This decision was both a marketing gamble and a creative reset, and it paid off: the album revitalized their commercial appeal and reintroduced Kiss to a new generation of rock fans.
Musically, Lick It Up builds on the heavier, more aggressive sound established on the previous album, Creatures of the Night (1982). While Creatures laid the groundwork with its darker, harder-edged tone, Lick It Up refines that energy into a more accessible, melodic brand of hard rock that fits squarely within the emerging glam metal scene of the early ’80s. The production, handled by Michael James Jackson, is slick and punchy, giving the guitars more bite and the rhythm section a sharper, more metallic presence.
The opening track, “Exciter,” kicks things off with a galloping rhythm and soaring vocals from Paul Stanley, setting the tone for an album focused on energy and attitude. The real centerpiece, of course, is the title track “Lick It Up”—an anthem of decadence, lust, and defiance that became one of Kiss’s most enduring hits. With its simple but irresistible chorus, chugging guitar riffs, and MTV-friendly music video (their first without makeup), the song became a cultural touchstone and helped redefine the band’s image in the post-glam rock landscape.
Other notable tracks include “Not for the Innocent,” featuring Gene Simmons in full demon mode, delivering a menacing vocal over a grinding riff that recalls the band’s heavier early work. “Young and Wasted” is another highlight—raw, relentless, and teetering between self-destruction and exuberance. Interestingly, in live settings during the tour, drummer Eric Carr would often sing this track, showcasing his vocal talents and bringing an extra layer of intensity to the performance.
“All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose” stands out as one of the more experimental tracks on the album, blending a hip-hop-inspired spoken word verse (from Stanley) with a traditional hard rock chorus. It’s a strange, quirky track that somehow works, reflecting the band’s willingness to adapt and try new stylistic flourishes in the rapidly shifting musical landscape of the early ’80s. Meanwhile, “Dance All Over Your Face” and “Fits Like a Glove” showcase Simmons’ sleazy lyrical style, doubling down on the band’s classic themes of sex and rebellion with a sharper, more metal-influenced sound.
A big part of Lick It Up’s success lies in the chemistry between the core members and the contributions of guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who played lead guitar and co-wrote several tracks. Vincent brought a technically advanced, flamboyant playing style to the band, which added a fresh, contemporary flair. His solos are fast, dramatic, and filled with classic metal flair—though his tenure with the band would be short-lived due to personal and contractual disputes.
Critically, Lick It Up was well-received as a return to form for a band that had seen its commercial star wane during the late 1970s and early ’80s. The abandonment of makeup allowed the focus to shift back to the music and the performance, and the gamble worked: the album went platinum in the U.S., and the band found itself once again at the forefront of the rock scene, particularly as MTV helped propel their reinvented image to new fans.
In hindsight, Lick It Up is not only a strong hard rock record, but also a transitional statement—a bold assertion that Kiss was far from done, capable of evolving with the times while retaining the brashness and spectacle that defined them. It helped launch the band into a new decade, where they would ride the wave of glam and hair metal success throughout the ’80s. It’s a loud, confident, and unrepentantly raunchy record, filled with catchy hooks, sizzling solos, and larger-than-life personas—even if the makeup was gone.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Exciter
Not For The Innocent
Lick It Up
Young And Wasted
Gimme More
All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose
A Million To One
Fits Like A Glove
Dance All Over Your Face
And On The 8th Day
