KISS - "Sonic Boom"

By Bruce Forrest

It's been 11 years since the KISS-loyal have received any new music from the band. Their last outing, the dismal Psycho Circus, was nothing to cheer about, especially considering it was a reunion of the 4 original members.

With guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer now in the fold, alongside original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, this line-up has finally entered the studio,for two apparent reasons. The first being, their upcoming 35th Anniversary Tour. The other would be, to justify their inclusion of Thayer and Singer. You see, the KISS fans are none too happy to see these two wearing the iconic makeup designs of original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Simmons and Stanley, have been promising us, the fan-faithful, something that would satisfy our musical taste buds. Their claim is that we would get, with this new album, something resembling vintage KISS. 

I approached Sonic Boom, KISS' 19th studio album,cautiously. After all, Gene and Paul made tremendous promises back in 1981 with The Elder, and we all know how that turned out.

So, how the is the album? Well, it isn't as dynamic or heavy as Creatures of the Night, one of their finest outings. Sonic Boom sounds closer to studio out-takes of Animalyze, or Asylum, rather than the equivalent of Love Gun, or Rock and Roll Over's finer songs. Overall Sonic isn't all that impressive, yet, it isn't all that bad, either. 

KISS fans will definitely scrutinize this album, more so than any other fanbase. While fans of other bands will simply "accept" an album by their favorite band, KISS fans are known to tear things to shreds, and expect more. We are a strange breed, I guess. 

The CD kicks off with Modern Day Delilah. It is merely an adequate tune, nothing groundbreaking, yet nothing horrendous. It is followed by Russian Roulette.  Gene of course, has to get his 2c worth in, even though he has had nothing worth contributing to the band for quite some time. It is predictable--the same old arrogant, egotistical lyrics he typically writes. 

Never Enoughshould rattle the fans. Not because it is an amazing tune (it isn't), but for the fact, it is a blatant rip-off of Poison's Nothing But a Good Time. Hasn't Paul heard that tune? Or did he simply think no one  would notice? The resemblance is way too uncanny, to forgive it's shortcomings. 

I won't list every track here; no matter what I say, the listener is still going to give them a listen, and judge for themselves. The production, by Stanley, is quite good. The bass is absolutely cranium-bashing, for starters. Thayer proves he is more than capable, handling the lead guitar duties. And what can you say about veteran Eric Singer? He is dynamic, to say the least. It would be a shame if the fans insist on rejecting these two guys; accept the fact Ace and Peter are gone, and, for goodness sakes, give these two their dues. After all, you can't blame them for accepting the job. 

For the most part, the songs are, to a degree catchy, but yet not enough to become classics.  There isn't a single track here along the lines of Strutter, Love Gun, or even Lick It Up.  Overall, `Sonic Boom merely serves to, somewhat, stifle the fans, at least for now. 

KISS definitely won't draw in any new fans, much like Aerosmith has done in the past. The Masked Maraduers appeal to a select few--you either love them, or hate them. There is no middle ground. Sonic Boom is for KISS fans, and KISS fans only. 

So, have Gene and Paul delivered on their promise?

Well, Sonic... satisfies to an extent, but leaves you wanting more.  You can't help but wish, they had tried a little harder. It is an effort that is almost there, but yet, not quite. Simmons seems to take up space with his contributions, which, as said before, are merely musical extensions of his ego. KISS has always believed, whatever they put out, their fans will enjoy. This is where the band is out of touch. They don't seem aware that, we will tear every track apart, note for note.  They almost hit the mark here, but seemed to get a little sloppy, in some regards. I think had KISS written and released this material, back when Bruce Kulick was in the band, they would have had a better grip on their success. 

Considering it will probably be the last studio outing we will ever get from KISS, Sonic Boom seems, for the most part, to do the job, fairly well. It could be better, but, hey, it could have been extremely worse. This is no Destroyer, but it isn't The Elder, either.

www.kissonline.com

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