Tim McPhate - Odyssey: The definitive examination of Music From The Elder, KISS cult-classic concept album

Nineteen hundred and eighty-one.

It has to be one of the most intriguing, fascinating, yet misunderstood years in KISStory.

KISS were fresh from their hugely successful 1980 tour of Australia and New Zealand the zenith of the Super KISS era. Building off this high, the band Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and new drummer Eric Carr went back to work with the focus of recording a traditional hard-rocking KISS album.

By the time the calendar turned to November, KISS and producer Bob Ezrin had completed work on "Music From The Elder," a sophisticated concept album, ripe with elaborate musical arrangements, choirs, orchestras, falsetto vocals, chanting, and peculiar pieces featuring instruments such as the crumhorn (a Renaissance-period woodwind instrument).

What exactly happened?

The book you hold in your hands is your opportunity to find out. "Odyssey" is the most expansive examination of this cult-classic KISS album to date.

But, in the spirit of full disclosure, this book started as something more modest.

What merely began as the latest interview for KissFAQ's Interview Series spiralled into another interview, and then another. Suddenly an idea materialized: Let's conduct a series of "Elder" specific interviews and mix in some new feature content and document this obscure KISS album like never before.

More than 30 interviews were conducted, all with the intent of putting this album and era of KISStory back into the spotlight. Through the accounts of various individuals who either worked on the project or have some sort of tie to it many of whom have never gone on record about their "Elder experience" before this book presents credible insight into the creative and recording processes and the challenges unique to this chapter in the band's history, as well as some candid viewpoints, fun stories and maybe even a surprise or two.

The book's special features examine cool topics such as the bloodline of rock concept albums, KISS' activity from late 1980 to early 1982, cover versions of "Elder" songs, biographical information on the album's participants, details about "The Elder" companion film script, and much more.

Why bother with "The Elder," KISS fans might ask? It's a fair question, and one that is perhaps best answered with another question: Why not?

In truth, KISS fans would be hard-pressed to find an album shrouded in more mystery than "The Elder." And it's arguably the most polarizing album in KISS' catalogue some love it, others (including some band members themselves) probably would just as well erase it from KISStory.

No matter where you stand, if you're reading this, chances are you're a diehard member of the KISS Army. I hope this book proves to be an entertaining read and a valuable addition to your KISS library as you read through it, I invite you to dig out the album and give it a fresh spin.

The odyssey continues.

Tim McPhate