Kiss
Sonic Boom

THE REVIEW

"I'd like the latest Kiss album please"

How I missed saying this phrase in a record store, and I had almost resigned myself, trying to give explanations like "They must have realized they have nothing more to say in the studio, and decided to continue with concerts" or "Gene Simmons was too busy doing what they say he does very well and forgot how to play bass" or the more likely "They must have broken up". But eleven years after the excellent "Psycho Circus", the four hell-raisers come out with this "Sonic Boom" which Gene, between kidney stones sold on e-bay and licks here and there, describes as "The best Kiss album since the days of Destroyer and Love Gun", a statement that weighs heavily for a band once considered dead in the studio.

Few truly believe this is a return to their former glory (including myself), but I think all self-respecting fans will give (or have given) at least a listen to this new work.

After reconsiderations and changes of mind, the four New Yorkers, always faithful to the god of money, decide to release this album, betting on the motto "even if it sucks, people will buy it anyway", but there's a small detail: the album doesn't suck.

The CD presents itself as a journey in a flashy convertible, a journey that starts from the '70s to reach today, where tough tracks alternate with potential radio hits, in an album full of spirit played by old kids who apparently still enjoy screaming and partying like crazy.

I insert the CD, which opens with "Modern Day Delilah", from the very first notes you can't help but exclaim: "damn it's Kiss!" As you proceed through the tracks, while Gene and Paul alternate at the microphone, you are left more and more open-mouthed, with choruses that immediately stick in your mind, spot-on riffs and sharp guitar solos in typical Kiss style.

Each song is different from the previous one but maintains the same line, with "Never Enough", "Stand", and the incredible "All The Glory" standing out, sung by a very inspired Eric Singer, "I'm An Animal" is the "God Of Thunder" of the album, with an exceptional solo at the end and a Gene Simmons more and more devilish at the microphone. But there isn't a single underwhelming song, all of them are on par, inspired, fast, sharp, and incredibly catchy. This "Sonic Boom" races quickly, with a freshness typical of their early works, but with the addition of the experience (and a touch of savvy) that only veterans have. The cover harks back to "Rock N' Roll Over", which could have been a hint that the Kiss by now only know how to repeat themselves, as many claim, but this album silences everyone, fans and critics alike, who would have expected such an album from these over-fifty-year-olds?

Plenty of spunk and guts, a ballsy album, straightforward, which might be a bit tight in your home stereo, but will be perfect once you hear it in the car. You'll see your finger repeatedly pressing the button to turn up the volume, so when you drive by, everyone will turn, and perhaps some nostalgic person will stop to tell you: "But these are..." and you'll smugly reply: "They're the Kiss, dear".

And you will drive off screeching, convinced that for a good 45 minutes you went back to the '70s.