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KISS - "Sonic Boom"
The very first impression I got of this new Kiss studio release was....that it has absolutely nothing new at all, just more typical Kiss. The second thing I realized, very quickly, was that is a good thing! This is just as good as any classic Kiss release, and hey, why change a successful formula? The guys have delivered another anthem filled slab of good time rock-n-roll!
The songs written by Gene Simmons are about...umm, what else? Women and sex, with inuendos (spelling?) all over the place. At certain times, on Paul Stanleys songs, you can hear what I would call a little strain in his voice, so perhaps his age is catching up to him a little bit. But I applaud the band for leaving those small moments in...why try it over and over in the studio, if you cant quite hit those high notes? Some people have been critical of Kiss in the past, for studio overdubs on their "live" efforts. So, I find it refreshing that a few "strains" here and there were left in...its real.
Tommy Thayers guitar playing, particularly on lead sections, is very similar to the style of Ace Frehley...and that helps keep the disc a classic sounding Kiss effort. But Tommys playing shines throughout...not a copycat of Ace, but just remaining within the sound and style of long-ago Kiss records. And once again, this is a good thing!
My personal favorite tracks, so far, are the opener, "Modern Day Delilah", with its sing along chorus and mid-tempo groove. The co-written "Russian Roulette" is another early favorite. Sung by Gene, written by Gene and Paul together, its a sex driven rocker that is catchy enough to stand the test of time with other Kiss classics. Also really liking "Danger Us", but the whole disc is a return to the Kiss of old. This baby rocks, and rocks well!
Finally, I've got to say...what a great bargain! Kudos to Kiss and Wal-mart. Twelve dollars gets you the new release, a live DVD from a show earlier this year, and a 15 song "Kiss Klassics" disc, that is not just the same old songs re-released. In fact, its not even remastered. After two listens, I am absolutely positive this is the current line-up "re-doing" these songs in the studio. I feel confident they are totally new recordings, with Thayer and Eric Singer performing. I would be interested in hearing from some other Kiss fans...is this bonus "klassic" disc new performances, or just remastered? I feel sure the band totally re-did these tunes. Pretty cool!!
Final verdict...damn good job to Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric! Kiss is NOT just about the money! They have delivered a very cool, very affordable package that kicks ass and stands up to anything they've done in the past. Old time Kiss fans need this...new Kiss fans need this! Dont like them at all? Thats ok...the Kiss army continues to grow, prosper, and tell retirement to piss off!!
The songs written by Gene Simmons are about...umm, what else? Women and sex, with inuendos (spelling?) all over the place. At certain times, on Paul Stanleys songs, you can hear what I would call a little strain in his voice, so perhaps his age is catching up to him a little bit. But I applaud the band for leaving those small moments in...why try it over and over in the studio, if you cant quite hit those high notes? Some people have been critical of Kiss in the past, for studio overdubs on their "live" efforts. So, I find it refreshing that a few "strains" here and there were left in...its real.
Tommy Thayers guitar playing, particularly on lead sections, is very similar to the style of Ace Frehley...and that helps keep the disc a classic sounding Kiss effort. But Tommys playing shines throughout...not a copycat of Ace, but just remaining within the sound and style of long-ago Kiss records. And once again, this is a good thing!
My personal favorite tracks, so far, are the opener, "Modern Day Delilah", with its sing along chorus and mid-tempo groove. The co-written "Russian Roulette" is another early favorite. Sung by Gene, written by Gene and Paul together, its a sex driven rocker that is catchy enough to stand the test of time with other Kiss classics. Also really liking "Danger Us", but the whole disc is a return to the Kiss of old. This baby rocks, and rocks well!
Finally, I've got to say...what a great bargain! Kudos to Kiss and Wal-mart. Twelve dollars gets you the new release, a live DVD from a show earlier this year, and a 15 song "Kiss Klassics" disc, that is not just the same old songs re-released. In fact, its not even remastered. After two listens, I am absolutely positive this is the current line-up "re-doing" these songs in the studio. I feel confident they are totally new recordings, with Thayer and Eric Singer performing. I would be interested in hearing from some other Kiss fans...is this bonus "klassic" disc new performances, or just remastered? I feel sure the band totally re-did these tunes. Pretty cool!!
Final verdict...damn good job to Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric! Kiss is NOT just about the money! They have delivered a very cool, very affordable package that kicks ass and stands up to anything they've done in the past. Old time Kiss fans need this...new Kiss fans need this! Dont like them at all? Thats ok...the Kiss army continues to grow, prosper, and tell retirement to piss off!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RJhog on -
Gordon, you are correct on the bonus disc. Those are re-recorded versions done by the current line-up. It's the same recordings that were released a while back in Japan under the name Jigoku Retsuden (hopefully I spelled that correctly). As a long time fan, I can take 'em or leave 'em, but I do like the re-recorded version of Black Diamond. I agree with you about the value in this release, but that seems to be the case with most of the recent Walmart exclusives (Eagles, Journey and Foreigner).
As far as Sonic Boom, I wasn't overly moved the first couple of times I listened, but I really like it now that I've heard it quite a few times. I really enjoy the "Gene" songs Hot And Cold and Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect). My favorite "Paul" song is Say Yeah, followed closely by Modern Day Delilah. Eric and Tommy both do a great job musically, and vocally with their tunes.
I'm very happy in 2009 to have a new Kiss album. The boys are getting old, but they can still rock.
One last thing, has anyone else noticed all of the Sonic Boom music being played on ESPN? During football games and often on Sportscenter, when they have a group or montage of highlights, they play several tunes from the album. Really cool!!
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Permalink Reply by Gordon Williams on -
I watch ESPN all the time! But, the sound on the t.v. is always off, and the stereo be crankin'! I'm listening to the bonus disc right now thru my computer, and this weird looking cover pops up on my Windows Media player...gotta be that Japanese cover, I guess!
On a side note, I dont remember which release the original "Do You Love Me" is on, but I am totally digging this tune now...and I can clearly remember not liking that song that much "way back then". But I'm loving it now. Time can change a lot of things!
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Permalink Reply by RJhog on
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It's on the Destroyer album. I've always loved that song. The re-record is fairly true to the original, but my heart is with the original. To me, the drum intro on the original just sounds so mammoth to me. Something about the new version sounds to me like it's dragging just a bit, but still sounds good. Most people that I've heard from (big time fans) only seem to like two of the re-records. Those are "Hotter Than Hell" and "I Was Made For Loving You". But again, I just take it for what it's worth....
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Permalink Reply by rockertilldeath on -
I will agree. I LOVE the new album. It put a huge smile on my face. Have only listened to it once but the one that stood out to me was Say Yeah. It's great to hear a band put out some plain ol' kick ass rock and roll in this day and age. Personally I think Paul sounds great. A little strain in the voice adds character. It just reminds me of the thrill I used to get staring at those old album covers and wishing I was a rock star. As a matter of fact the reason I am a musician today is because of KISS. My foil Destroyer album cover poster hung proudly on my bedroom wall for a lot of years. To all the naysayers, lighten up. Show me a band that has come out in the last ten to fifteen years that will still be around in 35 years and still as popular as ever. Yeah, that's what I thought. Kids In Satan's Service forever ;-}
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Permalink Reply by Dave on -
I am really diggin' the new album....I am blown away by the production and the performance. The guitars crunch....the bass and th drums thunder...the Gene songs are amazing. I really wasn't expecting much, but this is shows that the boys still can rock. All my "musician" friends hated Kiss when I was loving them....35 years later, Kiss is blowing out the stacks and the bands they liked are gone by the wayside. I love it loud, indeed!
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