Sonic Boom Is Classic KISS Album
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Few, if any bands, are fortunate to have to kind of loyal and enthusiastic fanbase that KISS maintains. The band has perhaps set a record for the most overall sales when toys, games, comic books, and trading cards are factored in alongside their worldwide album sales of 80 million. Although Canadian singer Michael Buble topped KISS on the charts during the week of Sonic Boom's release, its #2 spot is still a good indicator that a 25th Gold certified album for the band is not out of the question. In the two weeks since Boom's release, fans have been trying to decide whether its 11 song offering makes up for the 11 years that passed since 1998's Psycho Circus. They've also been trying to classify the album; is it really classic KISS? glam KISS? or perhaps modern KISS?
In the end the songwriting on Sonic Boom is so strong, and the melodies so memorable, that it would be a crime not to admit that it fits the bill as a classic KISS album. When the addictive guitar riffs of "Modern Day Delilah" hit, there is no time to waste - the volume dial must be turned up to 11. The rest of the songs are so solid that you'll forget to turn it back down. From beginning to end, it's guitar oriented rock and roll done in the style that KISS has so publicly perfected. Paul Stanley is to be thanked for the brilliant overall mix of sound, and Gene Simmons has outdone himself by writing songs that stand out as some of the best of his career. His mastery on "Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)" will grow on listeners fast - its got a chorus that can't be forgotten, and rousing lyrics that only Gene could write.
Another thing to like about Sonic Boom is that it's a true family affair all the way. In between the vocal trade-offs of Simmons and Stanley, drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer both take turns handling lead duties (on "All for the Glory" and "When Lightning Strikes", respectively. During "Glory", Singer shows off his unique set of pipes, while Thayer lays down a blistering guitar solo. The cowbell makes it hard not to immediately enjoy "Lightning", and Thayer's voice shines in a much different sound initially, but by the song's end it's clear that he was born to sing KISS songs. Together, the four vocalists in this band are able to make a song like "Stand" into the bombastic masterpiece that it is.
Upon listening to the first single "Delilah" at KISSonline.com, and reading the news that the album would be produced by Paul Stanley, my initial reaction was that the album was going to be dominated by Stanley, and was to become his shining moment. That perception changed when the album was finally released - and it wasn't because of any shortcomings on Stanley's part. Instead, it's because the album is a shining moment for KISS - a band that has transcended the odds and made it through 35 years to produce a work that stands up as a career highlight. We may never know whether it was the decade taken to clear thoughts and renew senses, or just a spontaneous surge of inspiration that led to this tremendous album. But whatever it was, KISS fans can take solace in the reality that their band is back - and better than ever.
