Is Lick It Up a good place to start with Kiss?

Yes, Lick It Up is recommended as a starting point for new Kiss listeners. High-octane anthems merge with a polished glam rock sound, showcasing Kiss's unwavering energy and charisma. Released in January 1983, Lick It Up marked a significant turning point for Kiss as their first album without makeup, signaling a bold new era. At this stage, the band was navigating a decline in popularity from their 1970s heyday, seeking to reinvent themselves with a fresher sound and image.

Who is Lick It Up for?

Lick It Up works well if you're into steady pacing for active listening, energetic anthems for sing-alongs and gritty riffs energizing workouts.

How many songs are on Lick It Up?

Lick It Up has 10 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Lick It Up

Kiss · 1983

41 min · 10 tracks · hard rock

High-octane anthems merge with a polished glam rock sound, showcasing Kiss's unwavering energy and charisma.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Exciter Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
Lick It Up — The title track embodies the album's energetic spirit with its catchy chorus and driving guitars, representing the band's shift to a more contemporary hard rock sound.
→
All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose — This track showcases a blend of heavy riffs and an infectious hook, illustrating Kiss's ability to create arena-ready anthems that resonate with fans.
→
A Million to One — A departure into power ballad territory, this song highlights the group's versatility while emphasizing emotional depth through its lyrics and melody.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

High-energy tracks and memorable hooks define this album's appeal within glam rock.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate backing vocals that harmonize with the lead, creating a fuller sound during the choruses.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for active listening
energetic anthems for sing-alongs
gritty riffs energizing workouts
consistent journey throughout
for party playlists

Maybe skip if you

seeking slow, reflective moments
prefer standalone singles experience

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Revitalized Kiss's commercial appeal post-makeup era, marking a new chapter.
Themes: post-makeup reinvention· arena rock anthems· 1980s glam revival
Moods: Energetic· Anthemic
Career context: Released in January 1983, Lick It Up marked a significant turning point for Kiss as their first album without makeup, signaling a bold new era. At this stage, the band was navigating a decline in popularity from their 1970s heyday, seeking to reinvent themselves with a fresher sound and image.
Stylistic neighbors: Aerosmith· Motörhead· Def Leppard