Who picked up Sonic Boom today?

I listened to it in-store at the local indie shop, its not bad, but nothing that screams buy me.

I just got SONIC BOOM about two minutes ago! One of my co-workers was stopping @ Walmart to pick one up for himself so I asked him to grab me one. Will be spinning it post haste!!

EDIT: Just opened the shrink wrap and I must say I'm not thrilled with the packaging... the SONIC BOOM CD has its own tray but the bonus CD and DVD just slide into pockets in those little cardboard fold-out flaps? That ain't good. I suggest everyone handle this package with kid gloves, otherwise your DVD and "KLASSICS" CD might end up getting scratched very easily...

Fat Freddy wrote:

EDIT: Just opened the shrink wrap and I must say I'm not thrilled with the packaging... the SONIC BOOM CD has its own tray but the bonus CD and DVD just slide into pockets in those little cardboard fold-out flaps? That ain't good. I suggest everyone handle this package with kid gloves, otherwise your DVD and "KLASSICS" CD might end up getting scratched very easily...

I don't know about you, but I had a tough time getting the CD out of the tray. The damn thing just wouldn't come out, and I couldn't force it because I didn't want to break it before I even listened to it. I finally got it out, and realized that the only way to see Eric Singer was to struggle with it for 10 minutes.

Schbopo wrote:

I don't know about you, but I had a tough time getting the CD out of the tray. The damn thing just wouldn't come out, and I couldn't force it because I didn't want to break it before I even listened to it. I finally got it out, and realized that the only way to see Eric Singer was to struggle with it for 10 minutes.

Yea, now that you mention it, I had to pry (very gently) at the CD for a few seconds before it finally popped loose too.

Although I'm only a casual Kiss fan (the hits), I'm probably going to pick this up at work Friday.

My first spin impression of SONIC BOOM -- me likee. Will need to listen to it a few more times to pick out particular faves but after the first run thru I think I already like it better than PSYCHO CIRCUS.

The re-recorded oldies on the second disc don't really sound all that radically different from the original versions -- though I gotta say, Paul sounds pretty strained on the new "Forever"... maybe they shoulda skipped that one.

DeathCult wrote:

I listened to it in-store at the local indie shop, its not bad, but nothing that screams buy me.

+ 1

I listened to Nikki's copy...it does sound a little shrill/high end-y in places...almost like a hint of distortion...

I picked up my copy yesterday. I didn't have allot of time to wander around the local Wal-Mart, but I didn't see any huge Kiss Korners or overwhelming Kiss product placement as I walked towards the back of the store to the music section. The Kiss display in the music section was pretty sparse as well. Just a little cardboard stand with the new album up top and a small selection of their back catalog below. Nothing impressive there either.

As for the album, I'm kinda digging what I'm hearing. I'll give it some proper spins today in work. Got the Kiss Klassics going right now. Decent enough. I wouldn't have bought this one on it's own, but as a bonus disc, it's cool.

Don't know if I'll ever get around to watching the dvd.

EDIT: Anyone else think that out of all their songs in their back-catalog to re-record, 'Christine Sixteen' got included? Was that a big hit for them? Hearing a 50-something Gene singing it now sounds even creepier than it did back in 1970-whatever.

I bought it today, a lot more expensive then in the usa, 21,95 euros (around 25$) but i am still happy. It such a great album. I think before they started writing the songs, they listen to all their 70s and 80s albums because you can hear a lot of parts of KISS classics in those new songs. Still, they are just great songs thats why those classic 70s and 80s parts of KISS are great in it. A real buy or die album for any hard rock/heavy rock or KISS fan.
Love ERIC SINGER vocals on ALL FOR THE GLORY, also the song is just increible. SAY YEAH is an other fave. NEVER ENOUGHT sound like POISON´s NOTHING BUT A GOOD TIME, but still great. STAND is cool too and DANGER US too. Just great. I am very happy what KISS did on this record.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

EDIT: Anyone else think that out of all their songs in their back-catalog to re-record, 'Christine Sixteen' got included? Was that a big hit for them? Hearing a 50-something Gene singing it now sounds even creepier than it did back in 1970-whatever.

Yeah - kind of creepy that a man with a 16 year olds daughter is singing that. How do you think he would react if his daughter was sleeping with an older rock musician?

I thought the Klassics disc was alright. Yeah, Christine Sixteen is a strange and creepy pick. May as well re-done Goin Blind while they were at it.

Haven't checked out the dvd yet. The actual album is starting to get stuck in my head. Which is all I ask of a Kiss record.

Quote :

Paul sounds pretty strained on the new "Forever"

I actually really like this ragged version.

thejokeriv wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

EDIT: Anyone else think that out of all their songs in their back-catalog to re-record, 'Christine Sixteen' got included? Was that a big hit for them? Hearing a 50-something Gene singing it now sounds even creepier than it did back in 1970-whatever.

Yeah - kind of creepy that a man with a 16 year olds daughter is singing that. How do you think he would react if his daughter was sleeping with an older rock musician?

"Christine sixteen, yeah! Come over here and let me gum ya baby"

Sound something like that?

This might be the album of the year for me!!

I haven't gotten the new one yet, but the Kiss Korner out here in Ohio farm country is pretty pathetic. I did upgrade Kiss and Dressed to Kill to CD for $5 each. I'll go back eventually and upgrade a couple others. I'll get "the Boom" eventually.

During the Ohio State game yesterday, the College Gameday bumps were using All For the Glory! Thought that was pretty cool, though I'm guessing Gene was behind that somewhere along the line!

damn i wud love to be able to go to walmart and get the old albums for five bucks each. wud love to hear the new album as well but i cant spare the cash. im hoping it will go on spotify

QuothTheRaven wrote:

I haven't gotten the new one yet, but the Kiss Korner out here in Ohio farm country is pretty pathetic. I did upgrade Kiss and Dressed to Kill to CD for $5 each. I'll go back eventually and upgrade a couple others. I'll get "the Boom" eventually.

During the Ohio State game yesterday, the College Gameday bumps were using All For the Glory! Thought that was pretty cool, though I'm guessing Gene was behind that somewhere along the line!

ESPN has been pimping Sonic Boom for weeks on Sportcenter too. They keep playing the re-recorded version of Shout It Out Loud, All For The Glory and Modern Day Delilah when they go to commercial breaks or during highlights.

Pretty darn good album and considering I like it the way I did, I should move up from being a casual fan and start a Kiss collection (albums not merchandise-not even if I won the lottery). The Klassics disc was quite good too, even Forever (I don't think Paul's voice sounded strained) and with the exception of I Was Made For Loving You they sounded great even after all these years.

I'm a casual Kiss fan myself. I have like four albums total.

With all the positive reviews this new one is getting, I'm leaning more and more towards picking it up.

I really like this album a lot!

The only song I skip is "I'm An Animal"; that one has an almost Sabbath-y vibe to it IMO.

My faves are "Never Enough" and "Hot And Cold".

I am going to see KISS tomorrow night!!!!

thejokeriv wrote:

I am going to see KISS tomorrow night!!!!

Curse you!

OK, so after a whole bunch of spins of SONIC BOOM I can safely say I'm diggin' it. Fave tracks: "Modern Day Delilah" (strongest song on the record, they were wise to pick this as the first single), "Russian Roulette," "All For The Glory" (Singer has a decent singing voice! Who knew?) and the irresistible "Say Yeah."

I'm also digging the re-recorded "KISS KLASSICS" CD (aka "Jigoku-Retsuden") - though the new versions really don't sound radically different than the originals, the '80s tracks in particular benefit from having the cheesy high-gloss production scraped off of 'em. I still think it sounds like Paul was havin' trouble hitting the high notes in "Forever," but I appear to be the only one that thinks so, therefore I guess it's just me.

I haven't noticed any of the "wishy-washy" background noise that Cliffy described on my copy, but then I've mainly been playing the CD on the piece of crap boom box on my desk at work most of the time, or in my car which has two shot-out speakers, plus I'm still getting over a cold which has my ears and sinuses stuffed, therefore I may not be the best judge of its audio quality at this time.

All in all - forget about PSYCHO CIRCUS, gimme SONIC BOOM. This is the "real" KISS comeback CD we were promised a dozen years ago.

I don't know why people dislike Psycho Circus. Sonic Boom is a better CD for sure, but I like some of Psycho Circus a lot. The title track rules, as does Into the Void. Within is a cool Gene song. Always liked Raise You Glasses as well.

I have only seen the video for the title track of "Psycho Circus" decent enough tune and the video was pretty kewl. Havn't heard the rest of the lp. I have almost purchased it a few times.