KISS – Sonic Boom (2009)
“The Hottest Band In The Land” Kiss is back with their first new studio album in 11 years. After two very disappointing albums in the late nineties, “Carnival of Souls” and “Psycho Circus”, a lot of fans were left thinking the band was through; with studio albums anyways. But seriously folks, did you really think Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley would let Kiss go out with a huge stinking thud?? I think not! “Sonic Boom” is everything the Kiss Army has been clamoring for years to hear, which is a step back to the sound of such Kiss classics “Destroyer” and “Rock and Roll Over” and the guys do not disappoint in the lest bit.
Admittedly I was not crazy about the album’s lead off “Modern Day Delilah” at first listen or even the second go around, but after a few listens it has started growing on me, which in my opinion is the best way to go. Paul Stanley sounds great, he can still seduce your mom out of her panties and she wouldn’t have a clue it was happening until it was too late. One thing I had forgotten over the years is that Gene Simmons can actually play bass and play it pretty damn good; here he lays down some nice thumping bass lines. After years on the sidelines Tommy Thayer finally gets a little of the spot light to shine on him and he makes the most of it showing the world he is a disciple of Ace Frehley, without stepping all over Ace’s legacy. On “Russian Roulette” Gene takes over the vocals and as usual it is a slow dirty innuendo laden song that Gene sings to perfection, while also laying down more heavy thumping bass lines, classic sing a long chorus, one of the early surprises on the album. “Never Enough” screams single and rightly so as it is one of the best songs Kiss has recorded in years. They could throw this song into the live show and it would fit right in without missing a beat, definitely a new Kiss classic. “Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)” sounds like it could’ve been taken from the “Destroyer” or “Love Gun” recording sessions, great 70’s feel to it, this may actually be the best Gene Simmons song I’ve heard. “Stand” is yet another anthem with a late 80’s/early 90’s feel to it. Not the best song on the album but still better than 90% of the songs bands are releasing today. All I really need to say about “Hot & Cold” is COW-BELL COW-BELL COW-BELL!!! Honestly Gene has really surprised me with how good his vocals sound on this album.
Of Course, I couldn’t get through this review without mentioning Eric Singer and while his drumming is phenomenal throughout the album it is when he steps up to the mike on “All For The Glory” that he really shines, the sound reminds me of “Creatures of the Night” or maybe “Lick It Up”. “Danger Us” and “I’m An Animal” borrow some influence from Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin respectively, but Paul and Gene borrow with style. “When Lightning Strikes” marks the return of the COW-BELL and if you hear a little Black N’ Blue in the song then it should not surprise you that Tommy Thayer has stepped up to the mike and absolutely knocks this song out of the park!! “When Lightning Strikes” goes with “Never Enough” as my two favorite songs off “Sonic Boom”. The album wraps up with “Say Yeah” and with that I can say yeah to quite a few things about “Sonic Boom”. Yeah “Sonic Boom” is a kick ass ride from beginning to end. Yeah Tommy Thayer finally gets some of the attention he has earned and deserved over the years. Yeah “Sonic Boom” is the best Kiss album in years. Yeah it is possible “Sonic Boom” is Kiss’s best album since the mid 70’s. Yeah it definitely deserves a spot alongside “Destroyer”, “Rock and Roll Over”, and “Love Gun” as a Kiss classic, because that is simply what it is.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Modern Day Delilah
- Russian Roulette
- Never Enough
- Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)
- Stand
- Hot And Cold
- All For The Glory
- Danger Us
- I’m An Animal
- When Lightning Strikes
- Say Yeah!
KISS is:
Paul Stanley – Vocals, Rhythm guitar
Gene Simmons – Vocals, Bass guitar
Eric Singer – Vocals, Drums
Tommy Thayer – Vocals, Lead Guitar
Danger Danger - Revolve
Lynch Mob - Smoke and Mirrors
Outloud! -S/T
Stryper - Murder By Pride
Gotta tell you I’m thrilled to hear a good studio album from KISS !
Sonic BOOM!
It’s nice to finally read a review of this album by someone who knows what the F they’re talking about – I totally agree with your entire review and I love “Sonic Boom” from beginning to end, which I can’t say about many of KISS’ other records. While I think Paul really does a great job on the record, I think “Sonic Boom” is a vehicle for some of Gene’s best work ever. If it’s not the best, then it’s some of the most fun to listen to, and that’s what counts with KISS anyway. “Nobody’s Perfect” has a play count of 46 on my iTunes already! Of course, I am the biggest Ace fan in the world and I have a soft spot for Pete as well, and that’s why I appreciate that Eric and Tommy do their best to not step all over that legacy. Tommy is insane, BTW. His leads are PURE ACE and are tastefully and expertly executed. I was listening to some of Animalize today and I forgot how much that “Ace” sound helped make KISS songs so great. BTW, the rest of the critics are idiots, “All For the Glory” and especially “When Lighting Strikes” are catchy as hell and do not in any way slow down or detract from the album. I guess I’m a Tommy convert now because he really impressed me on this record. I’m also glad Eric dropped that damned double-bass pedal and decided to try playing some good old rock n’ roll beats for a change. Nicely done Eric!
and yes it’s very uncool only sell your records at Wal-Mart, effectively giving a big “FU” to the few little independent record retailers that still exist. That’s why I paid extra to get “Sonic Boom” from a local mom-and-pop shop that was reselling copies of the CD. Wal-Mart’s where I buy my underwear, not my music.
I was never a huge fan of “Carnival”, “Revenge” or most of the 80s stuff, although there are a few gems to be found in that era. For me the stuff between 1974 and 1982 is what gets me off and let me just say “Sonic Boom” fits in very nicely alongside those classics.
Two final points. Yeah, it’s weird that Tommy and Eric are running around pretending they’re Ace and Pete, but for the most part, you can’t hear the makeup on the recording
GREAT ALBUM. KISS IS BACK…
I agree totally with your review of ‘Sonic Boom’. It rocks from start to finish. I was like you, I had to listen to it a few times to really get in to the groove of it. But now it’s the one CD I listen to constantly. I’m not usually a big fan of most of the Gene contributions but on ‘Sonic Boom’ he delivers everytime. ‘Russian Roulette’ ROCKS. As does ‘I’m an Animal’. Love the contributions both Tommy and Eric added. I’m looking forward to 35 more years of KISSTORY here…This CD reminds me of Destroyer era KISS. The guitars sound awesome. Vocals superb…I can;t believe I will say this but…’Sonic Boom’ stands up to anything KISS recorded in the 70’s. YEAH I SAID IT…but it’s that good.
Love it!
The very first EP record I ever owned (those large black vinyl musical disks to you youngsters) was given to me by my brother for Christmas when I was 7 years old. It was 1978 at the time, and it marks the beginning of a fervent and fanatical following for all things rock n’ roll that continues to this day. The album in question was the Peter Criss solo album, and while I was delighted to learn that my brother had actually been listening to my preceding months of begging for a KISS album, I was also somehow instinctively aware that this may not be THE KISS album to own.
My young, under-developed, instincts turned out to be correct, for not only was the Peter Criss album the lowest selling, and widely considered to be the weakest, of all four of the solo albums released that year, but the four, as a collection, were a disaster for the band. Nevertheless, I soldiered on in true Kiss Army spirit, that Christmas I finally became the proud owner of a KISS album and over the next couple of years I proceeded to obtain almost every album they ever released, no easy task on my pitiful dollar-a-week allowance mind you. My bedroom walls were adorned with the myriad of KISS posters that accompanied said albums as well as some bought through the KISS Army mailbox; nary a painted piece of drywall was to be found for years.
In short, I was a big fan, and I continued to hang in there valiantly through the horrors of Unmasked in 1980 and, even worse, The Elder in 1981. Having now seen the light of AC/DC and Black Sabbath at the age of 10, it became harder to hang on and I eventually succumbed when the band took off their make up and released Lick It Up in 1983, the magic was gone, and damn, were they ugly! I moved on.
Many years later, Tupac Shakur introduced the original line up, in full make up and Love Gun era outfits, to a rousing ovation at the 1996 Grammy Awards to announce their triumphant reunion. I just about shat meself! But it was mostly for naught. They had several high grossing tours, which I loved, but then immediately started releasing crappy albums again; the KISS Symphony thing and the extraordinarily average Psycho Circus.
Now, I have written this rather lengthy prologue so people understand that I am a true KISS veteran through and through here kids, so listen to me when I speak of KISS. The new album, Sonic Boom, is the best KISS has been for the better part of 30 years. This is old school stuff with a new school vibe, and it’s a sound that has been sorely lacking since they were the “hottest band in the land” in the 70’s. It’s not perfect mind you, it has its flaws, but it’s a tremendous relief to see them get back to, and embrace, what made them great from the very beginning.
I know Ace and Peter aren’t here but, as much as I loved them, they are not really missed on this album one bit. Admittedly, when I first learned that Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer were wearing the old Ace and Peter make up during the live shows, I initially thought it was doing a great disservice to the previous members as well as the bands rich history together. However, this most recent incarnation of the band have great chemistry together and are firing on all cylinders on this album. Tommy Thayer pays great respect to Ace by adapting to his style of play and it pays dividends with a dramatic return to the old KISS sound. Eric Singer keeps perfect time with the bottom end and, perhaps by no coincidence, his voice even sounds like Peter. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are Paul and Gene at their best, the sparks are flying between to two like it’s 1978 all over again.
This is great stuff and after many, many years, KISS is back on top. I’ll be in Calgary for their show in November, devil horns and demon make up on…feels like Christmas.
Amazing review dude. Pathetic is the asshole who reviewed it on blabbermouth. men that site is starting to suck…
KISS ROCKS
How many times will Kiss un-retire?
One of the best albums of 2009! Great review! I agree with you 100%
I agree. “Sonic Boom” is great! I have been listening to it constantly since I got it (3 weeks early!).
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/i-got-sonic-boom/