Kiss - Sonic Boom (WALMART EXCLUSIVE 2CD/1DVD) 10/06/09

[Giantrobo]

Originally Posted by B5Erik

The thing you've got to remember is that while Gene hasn't played bass on many of Paul's songs over the last 30 years he has played both bass and rhythm guitar on most of his own.

He was a guitar player before he was a bass player and he seems to like playing guitar in the studio more than he does playing bass. Hell, he played a lot of guitar on his 1978 solo album, but didn't play bass on a single song.

But he does have a really good bass playing style and that was a big part of KISS' sound in the 70's, something that Paul wanted to recapture on this album.

Sure. But it's still funny.

[B5Erik]

More from Guitar Player on the new album:

"No surprise, but the five songs I heard had huge, anthemic choruses. The band played the basics LIVE in the studio -- the first time they've done that in a long, long time -- and, as a result, you get the fire and bombast of the early KISS ALIVE albums with the sonic dimension of tracks recorded in a studio setting. Sorry, I didn't jot down song titles."

And Eric Singer's recent comments about the album:

By Kristi Singer - For The Sun News

This is an exciting time for KISS and KISS fans as the band recently finished recording a new album, which will be its first new record of all-new material since 1998. The yet-to-be-titled album will feature 11 tracks and is scheduled to release Oct. 6.

"It's been 11 years since a full new KISS album of original material came out," Singer said. "This was totally a band effort. I'm excited because I'm pleasantly surprised that the whole process of making this record really was really easy and enjoyable and fun and the way you hope to make a record. Everyone was very low-pressure and low-key, and we took our time to make sure we got the performances that we wanted. Because we did it really organically. We didn't do it where we put it in a computer - we played in a room as a band, and when you do it that way you have to take your time and be well-rehearsed and take your time."

In addition to a new album, fans can anticipate an upcoming U.S. tour, new costumes and new stage show.

But no matter how busy the band is, Singer is always happy to meet his fans.

"The KISS fans are unlike any other fans in the world," he said. "I've played around with (several) bands in my career, and there are no fans like KISS fans."

[brianluvdvd]

All this talk and watch it come out and sound like Hot In The Shade II.

I never believe comments from band members when they are promoting their new album...especially before anything has been released. How many times have we heard from bands saying they are "going back to the basics" only to put out a nothing special, stale album. And magazines love to promote albums before they come out and then bash the shit out of them when they finally release.

I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. There is no way they will be able to recapture their 70's sound no matter how hard they try now.

I look forward to listening to it and it will be a must buy for me since I am a KISS completist...but let's stop with the band's hyperbole quotes every other week. They smack more of bullshit promotion than truth.

[B5Erik]

Originally Posted by brianluvdvd

All this talk and watch it come out and sound like Hot In The Shade II.

I never believe comments from band members when they are promoting their new album...especially before anything has been released. How many times have we heard from bands saying they are "going back to the basics" only to put out a nothing special, stale album. And magazines love to promote albums before they come out and then bash the shit out of them when they finally release.

I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. There is no way they will be able to recapture their 70's sound no matter how hard they try now.

I look forward to listening to it and it will be a must buy for me since I am a KISS completist...but let's stop with the band's hyperbole quotes every other week. They smack more of bullshit promotion than truth.

Which is why I've also been quoting comments from an editor with Guitar Player. Those are the most interesting comments, because they basically back up what the band has been saying. And Guitar Player isn't exactly known as a big KISS supporter, so if they're raving about the album that's a good sign.

[brianluvdvd]

Originally Posted by B5Erik

Which is why I've also been quoting comments from an editor with Guitar Player. Those are the most interesting comments, because they basically back up what the band has been saying. And Guitar Player isn't exactly known as a big KISS supporter, so if they're raving about the album that's a good sign.

Yeah...but I honestly have never seen a negative preview of ANY album in any magazine. Ever.

Not trying to shit on the parade but just trying to keep a realistic outlook on what it might actually sound like.

[B5Erik]

Originally Posted by brianluvdvd

Yeah...but I honestly have never seen a negative preview of ANY album in any magazine. Ever.

Not trying to shit on the parade but just trying to keep a realistic outlook on what it might actually sound like.

Well, Guitar Player isn't one of those magazines that gets caught up in the hype or takes part in it. They're pretty straightforward and honest.

And I've seen plenty of negative reviews in magazines - not the same thing as a preview like the Guitar Player thing, but I don't think if it were an album that they were going to turn around and slam as mediocre or bad in their album review that they would get caught up in praising the album before it comes out.

I've got a good gut feeling about this album. Everything has been done the right way - pretty much the opposite of Psycho Circus.

[KillerCannibal]

From Blabbermouth.net:

KISS' much-anticipated new album is rumored to be entitled "Sonic Boom". The editor of Guitar Player magazine, who had a chance to preview five songs off the LP last week, wrote on Facebook that this was the title "they had on the studio TV monitors while they were playing the audio files." In addition, an update on MelodicRock.com's Twitter account states that the album, which has a tentative release date of October 6, will be issued as a triple-disc set through Wal-Mart featuring the new album, a CD of re-recorded KISS hits (which was recently released in Japan), and a DVD. However, it should be noted that none of this information has yet been corroborated by an official source and should be treated as a rumor only.

[Hokeyboy]

Those re-recorded songs are terrible. Avoid.

[DaveWadding]

sounds like the same thing as they did with Journey.

[BackStJoe]

Originally Posted by Hokeyboy

Those re-recorded songs are terrible. Avoid.

Not all of them...some sound damn good! I think I like I Was Made For Loving You better on the re-records.

[Hokeyboy]

Originally Posted by BackStJoe

Not all of them...some sound damn good! I think I like I Was Made For Loving You better on the re-records.

The production values are of course infinitely superior, but the songs don't feel right and come across as lifeless and bored.

I don't say that as an instant Eric or Tommy hater either (well not Eric, anyhow) but just because the band sounds completely indifferent to the project.

And I prefer the ALIVE III version of IWMFLY.

[Suprmallet]

I wouldn't pay money for a CD of re-recordings, even if they're packaged with a new album. That's just a way to suck more cash out of the fans.

[KillerCannibal]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

I wouldn't pay money for a CD of re-recordings, even if they're packaged with a new album. That's just a way to suck more cash out of the fans.

True, but if that's the only configuration they're offering then I suppose we have no choice. I look at that disc as a coaster anyways, all I want is the new tunage.

[nodeerforamonth]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

I wouldn't pay money for a CD of re-recordings, even if they're packaged with a new album. That's just a way to suck more cash out of the fans.

What if it didn't make the cost of the package be more? What if it was a "bonus"?

[B5Erik]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

I wouldn't pay money for a CD of re-recordings, even if they're packaged with a new album. That's just a way to suck more cash out of the fans.

Sometimes you need to pay attention. This is supposedly going to be the same packaging that the latest Journey album got. $11 for the new album, the album of re-recorded classics, and a live DVD.

How are you paying for the re-recordings when a new album costs $11 by itself? It's just a bonus on here. And, for the record, I really, really like some of the re-recordings, including these...



Do they sound the same as the originals? No, but the originals were recorded 20-35 years ago, so to expect the exact same vibe is silly - and some of these are just as good as the originals, even if they do sound a little different (I prefer Eric's drumming on Rock and Roll All Nite to Peter's drumming on the original studio track).

The point is - this is all BONUS material, just like Journey's set. You're paying for the new album and getting 2 bonus discs for free, basically. That's a great deal.

[SkullOrchard]

If nothing else, hopefully Gene and Paul realized how truly great those old classic songs really were while they were re-recording them, and that experience inspired them to try to recreate some of that old magic on the new album.

[brianluvdvd]

Their re-records posted don't really bother me. If they come with the album, I will accept them though they probably won't get many listens from me. I have heard so many KISS songs done at concerts, live albums, bootlegs, etc. that hearing different versions doesn't even phase me.

That Hotter Than Hell remake would be pretty darn good but it is missing an essential component...Gene's screeching background vocals. Why leave the trademark of that song out?

The Dr. Love cover is pretty bad and sounds like Gene is just going thru the motions with his vocals. Detroit & RRAN sound pretty good. Again...nothing I would listen to often but I will take them if they cost me nothing extra.

The only thing I don't like about these kind of packages from Wal-mart is that it seems to cheapen the music/artist for some reason. I fucking despise Garth Brooks and get a good laugh every time I see his boxsets at Wal-mart & Sam's Club for 5 bucks with 80 dvds and cds in them. I don't want to see that happen to KISS.

[Lemmy]

I hope that the 3-disc rumor is true. I'll buy it in a heartbeat, and I haven't been excited about a new KISS record since Revenge, though I've been a fan since 1975.

[Indy Jones Fan]

Gene is starting to sound like Kermit the Frog on the RaRAN re-record. I hope that doesn't carry over to the new album.

[B5Erik]

From Classic Rock magazine:

Classic Rock can confirm that the new Kiss album will be called Sonic Boom – and we’ve got the full tracklisting. Not only that, but we’ve heard six of the album’s 11 songs!

Classic Rock’s Geoff Barton was invited to an exclusive preview of the new Kiss album this afternoon, in the convivial company of Doc McGhee, the band’s manager.

“Kiss promised to deliver a back-to-their-roots album and that’s exactly what we’ve got,” Barton reports. “Recorded in the old-fashioned, analog way, it sounds spectacularly good – no ProTools nonsense in evidence here.

“The interesting thing is, it’s not simply a homage the band’s first few albums. There are even nods to records such as [1982’s] Creatures Of The Night, which had Vinnie Vincent, Bob Kulick and others guesting on guitar. Kiss seem to have cleverly combined the best of all their eras into a single winning package.”

McGhee confirmed that Sonic Boom will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores in the US, as part of a package including a disc of re-recorded Kiss classics (already available in Japan) and a live DVD. The album is due for release on October 6.

“I actually wanted to make Sonic Boom available as a download for a dollar, but I was overruled,” McGhee chuckled.

“I still think it’s a great idea. Millions of people would’ve downloaded it, I guarantee. At just a dollar a throw, it would’ve been the bargain of the century.”

McGhee is delighted that Kiss decided to play to their strengths on Sonic Boom. “It’s exactly want people want: the classic Kiss sound played by the band looking like they’ve always done. Kiss are like James Bond or Mickey Mouse. They’re an amazing brand and they’ll likely go on forever.

“When I took over management of Kiss in the mid-1990s, that was my major plan: to get the band back to basics.

“I mean,” McGhee laughed, “when Kiss had a squirrel in their line-up – what was the hell was that all about?”

The full tracklisting of Sonic Boom is:

1. Modern Day Delilah
2. Russian Roulette
3. Never Enough
4. Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)
5. Stand
6. Hot & Cold
7. All The Glory
8. Danger Us
9. I’m An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yah

Here’s our quickfire reaction to the six songs we heard:

Modern Day Delilah
Based around a lumbering, War Machine-style rhythm, Paul Stanley’s vocals sound top-notch and timeless, almost like they’ve been sampled from Kiss Alive! Meanwhile, Tommy Thayer’s guitar work is straight out of the Ace Frehley riff book. At a concise 3:35 in length, this is a perfect slam-bang beginning to the new album.

Russian Roulette
Gene Simmons takes the vocals on this one; it’s an archetypal lumbering, grumbling, pummelling offering, made all the better by the addition of a signature ‘ah-ah-ah-ah’ chant-line. The lyrics are simplistic but effective: ‘This is Russian Roulette… one pull of the trigger is all you’re gonna get… you feel the hunger and it’s much too much… go on take a bite.’ To a fan of classic Kiss, that’s sheer poetry.

Never Enough
You’re know you’re on to a winner immediately as this one begins with a time-honoured Stanley shout of… wait for it… ‘Woah yeah!’ This is a much jauntier offering than the preceding two tracks, recalling the more commercial, 1980s side of Kiss. The song has a real reach-for-the-sky spirit, full of uplifting phrases such as ‘rules just for breaking’, ‘life for the taking’ and (you guessed it) ‘love ’til I’m shaking’.

Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)
Another three minutes of perfection. A light-hearted, hyper-commercial tune with Simmons at the mic-stand again, offering a gruff ‘YEAH’ (capital letters, natch) followed by the inevitable invitation: ‘C’mon baby, take off your clothes.’ There’s no word on whether Simmons kept his T-shirt on, however.

Stand
Our favourite so far; a proper anthem recalling the crowd-rousing grandeur of God Gave Rock’N’Roll To You. Stanley delivers the words ‘Stand by my side, I’ll be next to you/Stand by my side, we’ll make it through/Stand by my side, we’ll get by, you and I’ with consummate Starchild passion. This one just grows and grows… and then offers a neat false ending with some soft, CSN&Y-style harmonies (yes, really) before picking up the pace once more.

I’m An Animal
Full of giant, stalking menace, this is based around a dense, Zeppelinesque riff. Thayer plays a marvellous slick-but-stumbling Frehley solo, and you can rest assured the lyrics – ‘I’m an animal and I’m free… I’m an animal in the street’ – don’t refer to an old lady with her poodle off the leash. Late in the song, the band issue the urge: ‘Stand up, raise your fists.’ Little do they know, we’ve been doing that since track one…

[brianluvdvd]

Looks like there needs to be more pussy songs judging by the song titles.

Wonder how the writing credits break down?

[Lemmy]

B5Erik, you friggin' ROCK, dude. Thanks for the updates.

[nodeerforamonth]

hmmm... the descriptions of the songs make it sound like '80s KISS.... losing hope... still optimistic though.

[B5Erik]

Official word of the album's October 6th release...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090817/...c_kiss_walmart

KISS to release new album at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Ap Music Writer

NEW YORK – Wal-Mart is being embraced with a Kiss.

The veteran heavy metal group, Kiss, is joining a growing list of classic acts putting out new music through the world's largest retailer.

"Sonic Boom" is due to be released only at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores on Oct. 6. The three-disc package will include a CD of the band's first new music in 11 years, re-recorded versions of famous Kiss hits and a live DVD.

Paul Stanley — one of the quartet's two original members, along with Gene Simmons — said the band chose to release the album at Wal-Mart because the store allowed them to make it memorable.

"They offered us an opportunity to do something that's very much in line with what we used to do with our classic albums, and that's to give people more than just an album of music," Stanley said in an interview last week. "We've always believed in trying to make an album a special event."

Large store chains have become a favorite venue for classic acts to reintroduce themselves with new material. Wal-Mart has sold millions with releases by the Eagles, AC/DC and other key acts. It also has a Foreigner three-disc package due out in September. Target released a three-disc set from Prince earlier this year. Best Buy had the exclusive release of Guns 'N Roses first album in years.

Wal-Mart executives said Kiss, like other music acts they've worked with, has a special appeal to their customers.

"We see Kiss as an iconic band ... that resonates with the Wal-Mart customer not just with their music but in a lot of different areas," said Tom Welch, Wal-Mart's music buyer.

"Sonic Boom," which also features Kiss members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, was produced entirely by Stanley. The guitarist said he made that a condition before he would agree to do the album.

"The recent past, or the last decade or two, has not produced the kind of albums that I would have hoped, and that's due to a lot of factors — lack of input or lack of focus by all the band members," he said. "(There's been a) lack of a lineup where people were working toward the goal of making a great Kiss album as opposed to trying to showcase themselves."

But he called the new album "bar none our best album in 30 years, if not our best album period."

"Everybody worked their tails off to contribute 100 percent of their effort and their ability to make this the great Kiss that not only do the fans deserve, but we deserve," Stanley said.

The band is giving a special concert in Detroit on Sept. 25 to celebrate the album.

When asked if Kiss was doing anything differently to appeal to a new audience, Stanley said: "We've never geared ourselves towards anybody. When we're at our best is when we gear ourselves toward us.

"Classic Kiss isn't about an album this year or 10 albums ago. It's about a state of mind ... We are about entertainment with a capital 'E,' and we don't apologize for it."

[B5Erik]

HOLY SHIT!!!

SAMPLE OF NEW SONG, "Modern Day Delilah," up now on KISSonline.com - and it is FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!

10/06/09 cannot come soon enough!!!