Animalize
Animalize | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 17, 1984[1] | |||
Recorded | May–July 1984 | |||
Studio | Right Track, New York | |||
Genre | Glam metal[2][3] | |||
Length | 35:42 | |||
Label | Mercury Vertigo (Europe) Casablanca (Japan) | |||
Producer | Paul Stanley | |||
Kiss chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Animalize | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metal Nightfall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vista Records | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Animalize is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Kiss. It was released in 1984 on Mercury Records. The album marked the only appearance by lead guitarist Mark St. John, who replaced Vinnie Vincent in April 1984.
Background[]
At the time of the record's release, Gene Simmons was pursuing a career in acting. Paul Stanley was thus primarily in charge of the album's production and direction.[7]
New guitarist Mark St. John stated that when recording the record, he had utilized his Rockman gear, and that heavy equalization was used to take the "Boston" sound out of the recording.[citation needed]
St. John was forced to leave Kiss during the subsequent tour after being diagnosed with reactive arthritis. By November 1984, he was out of the band, the third lead guitarist to exit the group in two years. When asked what 'Animalize' meant, Stanley said that people were starting to become more like computers and that "making music by pressing buttons" was no fun.[citation needed]
Critical reception[]
In a continuation of Kiss' commercial resurgence which had begun with Lick It Up, Animalize was certified platinum by the RIAA. It was the biggest-selling Kiss album since 1979's Dynasty.[citation needed]
Critics and longtime fans, however, criticized the band's continued move towards a glam metal style on Animalize. Simmons fell into increasing conflict with his bandmates during this period for a variety of reasons, most of which revolved around his perceived lack of commitment to the band and preoccupation with numerous outside projects, including producing and managing other rock groups such as Black 'n Blue (whom Tommy Thayer was a member of at the time), bit parts in films like Trick or Treat (as a radio DJ), a co-starring role in Runaway, and an assortment of business ventures.[citation needed]
"Heaven's on Fire" became the biggest hit from the album (as well as one of the only songs to survive on the band's live setlist after the '80s), and its music video received heavy MTV rotation. It is also the only music video appearance of Mark St. John.[citation needed]
Guitar World magazine placed the album on their list of "New Sensations: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1984".[8]
Track listing[]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)" | Paul Stanley, Desmond Child | Stanley | 3:52 |
2. | "Heaven's on Fire" | Stanley, Child | Stanley | 3:21 |
3. | "Burn Bitch Burn" | Gene Simmons | Simmons | 4:42 |
4. | "Get All You Can Take" | Stanley, Mitch Weissman | Stanley | 3:44 |
5. | "Lonely Is the Hunter" | Simmons | Simmons | 4:28 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
6. | "Under the Gun" | Stanley, Eric Carr, Child | Stanley | 4:01 |
7. | "Thrills in the Night" | Stanley, Jean Beauvoir | Stanley | 4:21 |
8. | "While the City Sleeps" | Simmons, Weissman | Simmons | 3:41 |
9. | "Murder in High-Heels" | Simmons, Weissman | Simmons | 3:52 |
Personnel[]
Kiss
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar; bass guitar on "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)" [9]
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass guitar
- Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Mark St. John – lead guitar
Additional personnel
- Bruce Kulick – guitar solo on "Lonely Is the Hunter" and "Murder in High-Heels"
- Jean Beauvoir – bass guitar on "Get All You Can Take", "Under the Gun" and "Thrills in the Night"
- Desmond Child − backing vocals
- Allan Schwartzberg – drum overdubs
- Mitch Weissman − guitar overdubs
Charts[]
Album[]
Chart (1984) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums Chart[10] | 40 |
Austrian Albums Chart[11] | 14 |
Canadian Albums Chart[12] | 41 |
Dutch Albums Chart[11] | 17 |
Finnish Albums Chart[13] | 4 |
German Albums Chart[11] | 25 |
Icelandic Albums Chart[14] | 7 |
Japanese Albums Chart[15] | 23 |
Norwegian Albums Chart[11] | 14 |
Swedish Albums Chart[11] | 8 |
Swiss Albums Chart[11] | 9 |
UK Albums Chart[16] | 11 |
US Billboard 200[17] | 19 |
Singles[]
Year | Nation | Chart | Single | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | United States | Billboard Mainstream Rock | "Heaven's on Fire" | 11[18] |
Billboard Hot 100 | 49[18] | |||
Austria | Pop Singles | 62[citation needed] | ||
Canada | RPM 100 Singles | 46[19] | ||
Netherlands | MegaCharts | 34[20] | ||
Sweden | Topplistan | 19[20] |
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[21] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[22] | Gold | 25,000[22] |
United States (RIAA)[23] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Billboard Discography – Kiss Animalize". Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Animalize at AllMusic
- ^ Westhoff, Ben (December 6, 2011). "Chuck Klosterman's Favorite Hair Metal Albums". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ "KISS : ANIMALIZE (1984)" (in French). Metal.nightfall.fr. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
- ^ "VISTA RECORDS – KISS – Animalize (1984)". Vistarecords.proboards.com. March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
- ^ "Kiss: Album Guide | Rolling Stone Music". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
- ^ Kiss – Animalize CD Album
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20140720062416/http://www.guitarworld.com/new-sensations-50-iconic-albums-defined-1984#slide-2
- ^ https://vk.com/kiss_army?w=wall-23383_234944%2Fall. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Albums chart history-Kiss albums". Retrieved December 16, 2009.
- ^ "Search – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "Tonlist Top 40". DV. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "Official Charts Companyhistory-Kiss albums". Retrieved December 16, 2009.
- ^ "AllMusic Billboard albums". Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Billboard artist chart history – Kiss". Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ "RPM Magazine 100 Singles, Vol 41, No 15, Dec 16, 1984". Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Lescharts.com". Retrieved May 20, 2010.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Kiss – Animalize". Music Canada.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Kiss" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^ "American album certifications – Kiss – Animalize". Recording Industry Association of America.
External links[]
- Kiss (band) albums
- 1984 albums
- Albums produced by Paul Stanley
- Mercury Records albums
- Vertigo Records albums