I never took Kiss seriously as a band. I viewed them pretty much like “the monkeys” only much more “ produced and staged”
They had some legit music (for those that dont play, maybe they dont think so or know) but songs like Black Diamond, 100,000 Years and many early songs, were very good.
Later on they became a joke to me as well (Lick it Up, etc).
Alive and Alive II were amazing live albums.
Cant compare to the Monkeys, others wrote their music and they were just actors (for the most part).