Search - Kiss :: Sonic Boom-Limited

So much better than I expected or hoped.

Dave Barton | Jersey Shore, USA | 10/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"11 years. That's how long Kiss fans like me have waited for a new album with new songs. And we've finally got it. 11 songs for 11 years of waiting, perhaps?



This is vintage Kiss, not grunge-Kiss or disco-Kiss or glam-Kiss. The songs go right back to Kiss basics, with lines like "I like candy sweet" running rampant. The idea of a 4-man band with a combined age of 216 singing these songs is a tad ridiculous...or at least it would be if they SOUNDED like they had an average age of 54 (ranging from Tommy at 48yo to Gene at 60yo).



Most fans have heard Modern Day Delilah already, and I'm sorry to say that's the only Sonic Boom song slated for the new tour (go YouTube MDD & you can hear it if you haven't already). I wish they could've picked maybe 3 songs at least from SB to play live in concert because, yes, the album really is that good. Just my personal highlights...



The ultra-catch Stanley/Thayer penned tune "Never Enough" which is sung by Paul. Seriously, Paul sounds just as good as he ever did throughout his 35 years in Kiss...and that actually goes for his singing on the whole album.



"Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)" is my favorite from Gene. It hit me right away that this was a gem. He hasn't sounded this alive (no pun intended) in a long time...but then, we've waited 11 years for a new Kiss song from Gene.



"Stand" is a great duet from Paul & Gene, albeit a little...I dunno, maybe a bit overdone in certain parts. But its definitely catchy all around.



"All For The Glory" was written by Paul & Gene, but Eric sings it. I *LOVE* Eric's voice, he sounds incredible! Even though he won't be singing this in concert (unless they change the song lineup), at least we'll get to hear him sing Black Diamond (one of my all-time faves).



"Danger Us" is a Paul song that makes you wonder, "Why'd they wait 11 years?? He's still got it!!" Just another really catchy tune with the line "Danger You, Danger Me, Danger Us!" and man, it sticks with you!



"When Lightning Strikes" is written by Thayer/Stanley and sung by Tommy. I'm one of the many who wishes Tommy & Eric could just be Tommy & Eric instead of "Spaceman & Catman," and I also wish Tommy didn't try to sound so much like Ace on the guitar. But one thing he doesn't do is try to sound like Ace when he's singing this song. In fact, not a knock on Ace's vocals (gotta love the Original Spaceman) but Tommy is damn good. Take him for what he's paid to do, give this song an honest listen, and you'll appreciate it.



"Say Yeah!" is written & sung by Paul, and some are hailing it as "the anthem" of Sonic Boom. Its good, but I wouldn't call it the best song on here. Its a matter of opinion, but I do like the song & I can see Paul trading vocals with the fans in the audience on this one...if they add it to their set list.



So that's my review. Didn't wanna bore people with a review of every single song, just hitting what I thought was most important. And on another note, this is (supposed to be) the 3-disc edition available at Walmart for $12, due out on Tuesday October 6th. The other 2 discs are a 6-song concert DVD (Deuce, Hotter Than Hell, C'mon and Love Me, Watchin' You, 100000 Years, Rock and Roll All Nite) and a reissue of 2008's Jigoku Retsuden (15 Kiss classics re-recorded with Tommy & Eric). Remember, this is only $12 at Walmart for these 3 discs! Quite the steal!!

"

CALLING ALL KISS ARMY MEMBERS!

Jeffery S. Russell | Kalamazoo, MI USA | 10/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My first recollection of KISS is when they appeared on ABC's In Concert program in 1974. This was a life-changing event for me. To me it was like super-heroes formed a killer rock band; I never saw anything quites like it before. Their innovative style set the bar for rock-n-roll way up there. I was hooked and have been part of the KISS ARMY ever since. However, times change and unfortunately so do trends. Some bands feel they have to change their approach to suit the times and KISS fell in to this trap. Once they started to shed original members and ditched their costumes and make-up to jump aboard the hair-band wagon I was deeply disappointed and my loyalty waned. I never bought any albums after 'Love Gun'.



Jump ahead to '96-'97 when KISS anounced THE REUNION TOUR with original line-up, costumes and make-up. I was elated and saw the opening show at Tiger's Stadium in DETROIT ROCK CITY with 40,000 other ARMY members. Finally I thought they were back on track. Then came 'Psycho Circus' and I thought to myself what happen? 'Circus' was really bad - glad I didn't waste my money on that one; dissapointed returned once more.



Now it's 2009 and my wife, bless her heart, surprises me with tickets to KISS ALIVE 35 at COBO HALL in DETROIT ROCK CITY. I went to the concert, the last one at the famed arena, and got hooked all over again. The show blew me away - I was happier than a kid on Christmas morning. Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, the new members of KISS, did an excellent job and if I didn't know any better I would've thought they were Ace and Peter. When I bought a shirt at the show I saw all of this 'Sonic Boom' stuff everywhere; I didn't even know there was a new album out. I bought 'Boom' when they released it a couple of weeks later and I was very skeptical to say the least. I gave it a fair shot and I have to say it's good and it actually takes me back to a better time and place. 'Sonic Boom' gradually builds steam and each track just gets better and better. This is destined to be another KISS classic and it's clearly a throw-back to earlier, more fertile times. Occasionally Paul and Gene try to venture into the 80's but then they come to their senses and remember how good the 70's really were. The tracks co-written by Tommy Thayer are especially tasty: 'Never Enough', 'I'm An Animal' and 'When Lightning Strikes'. To me, 'I'm An Animal' is an updated 'God Of Thunder'. 'Stand' and 'All For The Glory' are destined to be anthems for the next generation of the KISS ARMY. My personal fave has to be 'Danger Us' - it really hits the spot. The bonus disc of Klassic Kiss really blew me away too. I thought it was remixed/remastered originals recordings at first, but then I discovered it was new recordings of old standards. Some of the recordings are so close to the originals it's uncanny, but it clearly shows the boys can still deliver the goods. Bonus DVD too - not a bad deal for what you'd normally pay for one disc these days.



So there you have it from a long time fan who has seen and listened to all things KISS. In a nutshell I say it's damn good. Do yourself a favor and buy it - then go and see a KISS show while you still can - it won't last forever."

Pleasantly Surprised

Johnny Rockster | NY | 10/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a long time Kiss fan from the 70's. I was not expecting much from this album but must say it actually is pretty good. It has a sound and feel that is reminiscent of earlier Kiss albums. Even if you are a hard core fan of the original lineup this one deserves a listen. You might be pleasantly surprised."