... But while KISS were never the most musically complex band, they wrote some undeniable anthems that hold up better than most would expect. And the first place to go to find KISS at their absolute best is with 1976’s Destroyer, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this week.
...The key to understanding KISS’ appeal is that it’s entirely primal and not particularly intellectual. Other music might be more heady, or feature more thoughtful lyrics (okay….most music has more thoughtful lyrics), but that’s really only a problem if you make it one. There are plenty of bands that have meant more to me over the years, but I’ll never forget the feeling I had as an 8-year-old, watching KISS perform before the Super Bowl, and hearing “I wanna rock and roll all night/ and party ev-er-y day!” for the first time. It’s the perfect rock ‘n roll chant, and you only need to hear it one time to remember it for the rest of your life.
The reason why KISS is so popular and have meant so much to so many people is that they so perfectly capture the notion of what rock ‘n roll is supposed to be. It’s not the deepest music, but it clicks with listeners immediately. Admittedly, that became less true as time went on, and the band found themselves working with the likes of Michael Bolton (!) on schmaltzy ballads that make “Beth” look like “Strutter,” but from 1974 to about 1978, KISS embodied rock ‘n roll like no one else.