The bands reveal of their faces served to inject interest in their best album in years and it was the only bullet they had left in their chamber by 1983. The chugging power of "Exciter" showed that they meant business this time. Peeled away much of the bubble gum rock exposing some more metal roots. On the second cut Gene's gruff vocals scream "Not For The Innocent" and this is obviously one of Gene's best moments since "Christine Sixteen" back in 1977.
Their fist single and the title track from the album drops the bubblegum hammer but does so with a more heavy sound in the production. Vinny Vincent is the reason that this album is as good as it is, Paul and Gene were right to allow him to have more input on the album. Every song has a huge chorus, infectious rhythm or great hook, Vinnie Vincent was now an official member and was finally able to put more of his own stamp on the guitar solos. Gene and Paul should have branded some lozenges after making this record because they sing (and sometimes scream) their asses off.
Gene rips on the vocals to "Young & Wasted" unlike he's done in the past. The chorus on this song has Paul who also has to really stretch his vocals to levels not heard before. There is a reason why they don't do this track live now because neither of them would be able to come close to re-creating this sound at their age. Eric Carr who is usually solid is even better here because he's less the star taking over the songs like it seemed on Creatures Of The Night an album I thought was terrible even though I enjoyed the BTO cover and the single from that record.
The music video for the second single "All Hells Breaking Loose" is almost as bad as the first one as the band looked awkward once again and not comfortable as themselves. Vinny never really had great stage movements or presence even with make-up and still today he's not the most flowing natural looking guitar player around. Gene tries to be the demon but comes off as a sleazy old dude in the video. Paul's natural flamboyance and feminine mannerisms show through not in the same way as they did hidden behind the costumes. With that said the song is a very cool near rap metal hybrid with one of the albums best chorus's.
Paul croons "A Million To One" which is one of the albums weaker tracks and a good idea of what to expect from him on future albums. Gene's in full cock-rock high gear on "Fits Like A Glove" another of his excellent tunes on the album. He steals the show on this track with a great chorus and a well sung tune that has a driving beat and is easily one of Kiss's best songs up to this point. Vinny's riffing is aggressive and his solo is a corker. He shows that Ace had nothing on him whether playing the guitar or composing kick ass songs.
Lick It Up comes to a close with two excellent songs "Dance All Over Your Face" and one of my all-time favorite Kiss songs "And On The 8th Day". Gene once again hits a home-run with "Dance All Over Your Face" that has a bubblegum shine on the groovy hard rock rhythm. On the closing number Kiss unleash a true hard rock classic that once again Gene is in full gear musically. This album is Gene's shining moment in the entire history of the band and begins a long run of being the better of the two main members."And On The 8th Day" closes Kiss's 11th album in a manner that makes you want to hit play again and listen to the entire album over again to make sure it wasn't a dream that Kiss had actually returned to form.
The ensuing tour of North America was a debacle and Vinnie's ego got the best of him as he couldn't handle not being the star and getting all the credit for this album being a success. To think what Kiss could have done with this line-up if things would have worked out between the three Am-E-go's.
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