KISS: An Album-by-Album Critical Reevaluation

[buffcoat]

Wanted to add to the love for this thread. I just reread the entire thing, and it's easily one of the very best things to ever grace the Internet.

Thanks, Matt.  I do a lot of writing in my life, but I think this thread is my favorite thing that I've contributed to in the past few years.  And I like reading other people's thoughts about this hilariously unserious subject.

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God help me, I bought a used copy of Sonic Boom out of a $2 bin last weekend.

The only other post-Creatures of the Night Kiss album I've ever owned (or heard all the way through) was Crazy Nights, which I got on cassette when it came out.  I was eight years old.  Can't remember most of the songs on it now.

In any case, Sonic Boom actually isn't completely embarrassing if you have a tolerance for Kiss.  It's largely more in line with their '70s stuff, although one atrocious song sounds a lot like "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.  Gene's lyrics on this album seem more gross than usual.

Eric Singer and Roger Zerkel each sing a song. They're not terrible.

This thing also came with a live DVD and that CD where the current Kiss dudes rerecorded a bunch of old songs.

I'd rate it a 6 out of 10.  I don't feel ripped off for having spent $2 on a used copy.

[cavorting with nudists]

I don't feel ripped off for having spent $2 on a used copy.

I really, really love this sentence.

[buffcoat]

... that CD where the current Kiss dudes rerecorded a bunch of old songs.

My one-word review of Double Platinum, which I assume you're referring to here*, is "why?" 


Every single change they made on that record is pointless and silly.  I assume it has something to do with Gene being able to make more money.






* Not really.

[mostlymeat]

God help me, I bought a used copy of Sonic Boom out of a $2 bin last weekend.

I'd rate it a 6 out of 10.  I don't feel ripped off for having spent $2 on a used copy.

Yeah Sonic Boom!

A friend got me Sonic Boom for my birthday. I couldn't make it all the way through, but put it on my digital music playing device anyway.

Recently I've been enjoying the "shuffle" feature of my device, and sure enough from time to time a song will come on that doesn't sound too different from all the other songs on there, and I'll find myself singing along and wondering what the hell it is and of course it's something from Sonic Boom.

I don't like how that record is mixed so high though, it's way louder than all the other stuff on my device, but yeah, a pretty good record! 6/10 is about right. It helps if you don't think about it being Kiss.

-Ajax

[buffcoat]

Courtesy of the Best Show's radio demon:

My Dinner with Paul

[buffcoat]

Tired of these, but:

"Anyone can capture a dwarf and dye its hair, but it's not Mr. Peter Criss."

Kiss meets the Fuhrer of the Reich

[buffcoat]

Ha!  I also figured out that I somehow skipped the Gene solo album, so I'll be writing that one up soon.

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Ha!  I also figured out that I somehow skipped the Gene solo album, so I'll be writing that one up soon.

That's a pretty embarrassing record, but I'll be damned if "See You Tonite" isn't great.

[buffcoat]

Ha!  I also figured out that I somehow skipped the Gene solo album, so I'll be writing that one up soon.

That's a pretty embarrassing record, but I'll be damned if "See You Tonite" isn't great.

You like the solo version better than the Rock and Roll Over version?  Peter Criss had some choice background harmonies on R&RO.  Gene Simmons has the ladies.

I consider "Living in Sin" to be one of the best songs he ever recorded.

[Mark in Helsinki]

Gene Simmons NPR Interview FULL Part 1 of 3

What a charming guy Gene is.

[buffcoat]

As an aside, how many KISS interview playbacks begin with "... aaand roll all night"?

Just like on the intro to Detroit Rock City.

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Ha!  I also figured out that I somehow skipped the Gene solo album, so I'll be writing that one up soon.

That's a pretty embarrassing record, but I'll be damned if "See You Tonite" isn't great.

You like the solo version better than the Rock and Roll Over version?

I'm talking about "See You Tonite."

You're thinking of "See You in Your Dreams," son.  I agree that the Rock and Roll Over version is better!

[buffcoat]

Ha!  I also figured out that I somehow skipped the Gene solo album, so I'll be writing that one up soon.

That's a pretty embarrassing record, but I'll be damned if "See You Tonite" isn't great.

You like the solo version better than the Rock and Roll Over version?

I'm talking about "See You Tonite."

You're thinking of "See You in Your Dreams," son.  I agree that the Rock and Roll Over version is better!

You don't call me son I call you...

Yeah.  Funny, I'm even going to mention the confusing similarity of titles in the review.  When I get round to it.

Radioactive came up on iTunes the other day... that's not a bad pop/rock song.  It was the single, right?  Without all the hosanna stuff.

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Radioactive came up on iTunes the other day... that's not a bad pop/rock song.  It was the single, right?  Without all the hosanna stuff.

Pretty sure you're right about it being the single.  I know it was the Gene solo song they played on the Dynasty tour.

Good song!

Can't wait for the alb review!