Kiss - Sonic Boom (Kiss Records) ****

It’s been over a decade since we last heard from Kiss. The mediocre Psycho Circus reunited the original line up to rather disappointing results. Sonic Boom is the first album with Tommy Thayer on guitar, and returning Eric Singer on drums.

From the first track on Sonic Boom just rocks the way a Kiss record should. It’s a more straight forward approach without mixing any current trends into the band’s style. The new album has more in common with the Kiss you grew up with than the soap opera it later became. It’s great to see the band regain its foundations, and become more in sync with its legacy.

The songs are catchy, well written, and full of energy. After a few repeated listens the album does not bore the way its predecessor did. The real surprise is the quality of Gene Simmons’ material. Gene hasn’t sounded this good in years. He sounds very uplifting and musical. It’s a great relief considering all those crazy quotes in the media, and the confusion-sounding last solo record. Paul Stanley is in his character, and appears to be very focused throughout the record. The other half of Kiss, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, do a commendable job as members of band. The overall performance is excellent.

Sonic Boom is a great mix of the Kiss from the 70s and the early 80s. The album is very well produced, and nothing seems out of place here. The cover looks like one of those K-Tel productions you saw advertised on TV. It seems like the album has everything it needs, but a song or two with Ace’s vocals would certainly help the balance. That however won’t be happening any time soon. Great record by all means, and it’s about time, don’t you think?

Mark Kadzielawa