HARDWARES

With Sonic Boom, KISS has stopped chasing the next hot trend and their lust for a number one single. Instead, the band has focused their efforts on making the best possible ‘KISS music’ and by and large have succeeded. Combining the brash swagger of their ‘70s catalogue with the pop sensibilities of their ‘80s adventures and the raw power of their ‘90s era, Sonic Boom delivers an album that all KISS fans can call their own. ‘Say Yeah’ is your classic arena rock sing-along with Paul Stanley delivering the upbeat vocals with enthusiasm. ‘Yes, I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)’ finds Gene Simmons in his Rock ‘N Roll Over glory days while ‘All For The Glory’ (a track that could fit comfortably on Dressed To Kill) is the album’s big revelation. The song features Eric Singer on his very first lead vocal and shows that his talent goes beyond pounding skins. ‘Never Enough’ is another upbeat track with Paul Stanley leading us into ‘80s KISS pop territory while ‘Russian Roulette’ has that Simmons’ snarl that brings us right back into Creatures Of The Night glory. The band tackles ‘90s KISS on ‘Danger Us’ with another great Stanley vocal. ‘When Lightning Strikes’ is a straight ahead rocker and is the track that most fans will be curious about since it features Tommy Thayer behind the mic. The guitarist doesn’t disappoint and it underscores the fact that Kiss has once again become a unique collection of four distinct personalities. If the band can continue down this path, fans will clamor for more new music and will demand that the songs be played live. Overall, KISS has done the unimaginable. They’ve delivered an album that can proudly carry the KISS moniker and should satisfy fans from all the band’s various eras and incarnations.