Obzcure - Obscure Kiss Tracks 1974 - 1983 (OCP Records) - Back
As a long-time Kiss fan I was somewhat excited to check out this project. For many years now, I have been a big fan of artists from all genres covering Kiss classics and have spent countless hours accumulating one hell of a collection. For years now fans and artists across the globe have been putting together Kiss tribute CDs like ‘Kiss my Ass’, Kissin’ Time’, Spin the Bottle’ and ‘Hard to Believe’, when reading Obzcure’s media release, I was pleasantly taken by the reasons these musicians hailing from Melbourne, Australia decided to get together and record this album, especially stating that this album was a response to the lack of new material that Kiss have released in over 10 years! I was really excited to see that these guys had compiled a great list of Kiss tunes such as ‘Nowhere to Run’, ‘Naked City’, ‘Charisma’ and ‘The Oath’. It made for a great change from someone wanting to do yet another cover of ‘Rock n Roll All Night’ and or ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’! Do I think Obzcure have pulled off a winner here? God no!

Obzcure have managed to murder almost every song they have taken to in my opinion. When I hear Kiss covers… I expect one of two things... The song’s are either covered exactly the same, harmonies, timing, musically and even if the production value isn’t up to scratch it 99% of the time still passes. The only other way I accept Kiss covers is if they are 110% different as we have seen with artists like Enslaved, Toad and the Wet Sprocket and Stevie Wonder to name a few. From the nine songs which appear on the album the only one I actually enjoyed was the opening track ‘The Oath’ which I would give and 7/10, it’s certainly a song which doesn’t get enough credit amongst music lovers, as for the rest of the album... Just atrocious! ‘Naked City’ is horrible, just plain horrible, there is no other way to describe it, the band certainly have fallen short of the mark musically and vocally and if I never hear this version again it will be too soon! ‘Got to Choose’, ‘Magic Touch’ and ‘C’mon and Love Me’ are all sad imitations that I’m sure no Kiss fan really wants to hear!

It is clear that during certain tracks Obzcure have tried to put their own spin on these classics, from guitar solo’s to harmonies, but unfortunately they have toyed with the essence of those particular songs and only made me feel that I was listening to a garage band who were rehearsing for their friends 21st birthday party! I don’t doubt that any of the musicians who participated on the ‘Obscure Kiss Tracks’ CD can play, and I’m sure they would be much more pleasurable to listen to if they were doing their own material but maybe they should leave these Kiss classics to the band that invented them! I won’t be running out to buy this one and doubt many people will, the die-hard Kiss fans will want this for their collection but even then, paying in a bargain bin may be nothing more than a waste of money!

The Oath
Got To Choose
Charisma
A Million To One
Tonight You Belong To Me
Naked City
C’mon And Love Me
Magic Touch
Nowhere To Run
Secret Track

Rating: 40

Reviewed By: Cameron Edney - http://www.myspace.com/promusicphotography