What makes Let's Put the X in Sex by Kiss notable?

The album's title track became a notable hit, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Kiss's enduring appeal amid changing musical landscapes. Although it received mixed critical reviews, the album solidified Kiss's status as icons of glam rock and contributed to their later resurgence in popularity throughout the late '80s and early '90s. Released in 1988, Let's Put the X in Sex was a pivotal moment for Kiss as they attempted to rejuvenate their image after the decline in popularity following their earlier albums. This album marked their first studio release since the departure of guitarist Bruce Kulick, who played a significant role in refreshing their sound during this period. The album also showcased a more commercial approach as they sought to capture the attention of a younger audience.

How many songs are on Let's Put the X in Sex?

Let's Put the X in Sex has 4 tracks, running approximately 13 minutes.

Let's Put the X in Sex

Kiss · 1988

13 min · 4 tracks · hard rock

A playful blend of hard rock anthems and cheeky glam, bursting with catchy hooks and confident swagger.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Let’s Put the X in Sex — This title track encapsulates the band's trademark blend of humor and sexuality, utilizing catchy choruses that invite sing-alongs while maintaining a quintessential hard rock edge.
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Rock and Roll All Night — An anthem for party culture, this classic remains a defining song for Kiss, embodying their live performance energy and appeal across generations.
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Beth — As one of Kiss's most famous ballads, this emotional contrast showcases their softer side, providing depth amidst the hard rock anthems typical of the band.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

41 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The EP features a mix of classic hits and new material, balancing energy and dynamics but lacks strong cohesion.

What we noticed

The EP opens with a well-known anthem, immediately engaging listeners with its high energy.
The final track, 'Let’s Put the X in Sex', returns to a hard rock sound but incorporates more playful and suggestive lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This EP marked a notable hit for Kiss, showcasing their enduring appeal.
Themes: party culture· playful sexuality· commercial glam rock
Career context: Released in 1988, Let's Put the X in Sex was a pivotal moment for Kiss as they attempted to rejuvenate their image after the decline in popularity following their earlier albums. This album marked their first studio release since the departure of guitarist Bruce Kulick, who played a significant role in refreshing their sound during this period. The album also showcased a more commercial approach as they sought to capture the attention of a younger audience.
Stylistic neighbors: Aerosmith· Motörhead· Def Leppard

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Let’s Put the X in Sex

The chorus playfully shifts from suggestive lyrics to an empowering call for self-expression.

This shift emphasizes both a light-hearted take on intimacy and an invitation for listeners to embrace their desires openly.