Unmasked (Kiss album)

Untitled

Unmasked is an album by the American band Kiss released in 1980. It is the group's 14th album (not counting compilations). At the time it was the last studio album from the original lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, although Criss actually had no involvement with the recording of the album. Anton Fig (uncredited) played all drums on the album. This album marked another departure for Kiss: this was the first album since 1976's "Rock and Roll Over" not to feature all members on vocals. (Excluding the four solo releases in 1978)

Although the album reached #35 on the U.S. Billboard chart and was certified gold, it marked a major departure musically for the band. The album was the group's most pop-oriented to date.

The band filmed a promotional video for "Shandi," with Peter Criss. It was the last time Criss appeared with Kiss in any capacity until he performed with them at a Kiss Convention on June 17, 1995. In the band's authorized biography, Criss revealed that he was the last one left in the band's dressing room after filming, and broke down crying.

A lip-synched German television performance of "Talk to Me" and "She's So European" featured the debut of Eric Carr, who became the band's permanent drummer until his death in 1991. The band would play a concert at the now defunct Palladium Theatre in New York to officially introduce Carr as Criss' permanent replacement in the band.

It was certified Gold on July 30, 1980, when it sold 500,000 copies

Track listing

1. "Is That You?" (Gerard McMahon) – 3:55
   • Lead vocals - Paul Stanley
2. "Shandi" (Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia) – 3:33
   • Lead vocals - Paul Stanley
3. "Talk to Me" (Ace Frehley) – 4:00
   • Lead vocals - Ace Frehley
4. "Naked City" (Gene Simmons, Poncia, Bob Kulick, Peppi Castro) – 3:49
   • Lead vocals - Gene Simmons
5. "What Makes the World Go 'Round" (Stanley, Poncia) – 4:14
   • Lead vocals - Paul Stanley
6. "Tomorrow" (Stanley, Poncia) – 3:16
   • Lead vocals - Paul Stanley
7. "Two Sides of the Coin" (Frehley) – 3:15
   • Lead vocals - Ace Frehley
8. "She's So European" (Simmons, Poncia) – 3:30
   • Lead vocals - Gene Simmons
9. "Easy As It Seems" (Stanley, Poncia) – 3:24
   • Lead vocals - Paul Stanley
10. "Torpedo Girl" (Frehley, Poncia) – 3:31
    • Lead vocals - Ace Frehley
11. "You're All That I Want" (Simmons, Poncia) – 3:04
    • Lead vocals - Gene Simmons

Personnel

• Gene Simmons - bass guitar, lead vocals
• Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar, lead vocals, bass guitar on "Tomorrow", lead guitar on "Shandi"
• Ace Frehley - lead guitar, vocals, bass guitar on "Talk to Me", "Two Sides of the Coin", & "Torpedo Girl"
• Peter Criss - drums (credited in album liner notes, but does not appear)

with

• Tom Harper - bass guitar on "Shandi"
• Anton Fig - drums (uncredited)
• Vini Poncia - producer, keyboards, backing vocals, percussion
• Holly Knight - keyboards on "Shandi"

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1980	Pop Albums	35

Singles - Billboard (United States)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	56

Singles - Billboard (Australia)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	10

Singles - Billboard (Austria)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	5
1980	"Talk to Me"	Pop Singles	39

Singles - Billboard (Canada)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	70

Singles - Billboard (Germany)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	28
1980	"Talk to Me"	Pop Singles	32
1980	"Tomorrow"	Pop Singles	70

Singles - Billboard (Holland)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	24
1980	"Talk to Me"	Pop Singles	39

Singles - Billboard (Norway)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	4

Singles - Billboard (New Zealand)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Shandi"	Pop Singles	6

Singles - Billboard (Switzerland)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	"Talk to Me"	Pop Singles	10

External links

• Kiss FAQ - Unmasked