Kiss – Bonus (1995): A Glam Rock Time Capsule from Down Under
Alright, let’s get one thing straight: Kiss doesn’t mess around. Even when they’re slapping together a compilation album like Bonus in 1995, they still manage to remind you why they’ve been rocking faces off for decades. Released in Australia under Mercury Records, this little gem is less “new material” and more “here’s some bangers we thought you might’ve missed.” But hey, who’s complaining? It’s Kiss doing what they do best—reminding us that rock ‘n’ roll is alive, loud, and unapologetically glam.
First up, we gotta talk about “God Gave Rock n’ Roll To You II.” If you don’t feel your spine tingle during the opening chords, check your pulse—you might be dead. This track has all the drama of an 80s power ballad but with Kiss’s signature leather-clad swagger. The lyrics are cheesy as hell (“He gave us this gift we call music!”), but somehow it works. Maybe it’s Paul Stanley belting his heart out or maybe it’s just the sheer audacity of turning gratitude into a rock anthem. Either way, it sticks with you like glitter on a disco ball.
Then there’s the demo version of “Strutter.” Now, here’s where things get interesting. Stripped-down and raw, this version feels like catching Kiss mid-rehearsal back in their early days. Sure, it lacks the polished bombast of the original, but that’s kind of the charm. You can almost picture Gene Simmons growling into a mic while wearing something questionable. It’s not perfect, but perfection isn’t really Kiss’s vibe anyway—it’s more about attitude, baby.
Oh, and how could I forget “I Was Made For Loving You”? That chorus is basically tattooed onto my brain at this point. It’s catchy enough to make even non-Kiss fans hum along guiltily while pretending they hate it. Spoiler alert: they don’t.
So yeah, Bonus isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. What it does instead is give fans a fun trip down memory lane with a few twists thrown in for good measure. Is it essential listening? Nah. But if you’re looking for a dose of pure, over-the-top rock goodness, this’ll hit the spot faster than a flaming guitar solo.
And honestly, isn’t that what Kiss is all about? They’re not trying to save the world; they’re just here to entertain the crap out of you. Plus, let’s face it—if aliens ever invade Earth, playing this album might actually scare them away. Take that, extraterrestrials!
