A Frank Discussion About the New KISS CD

I've wanted to review Sonic Boom for over a week now. Here's the problem: I can't get the CD to play! I bought the disc, popped it in my car and it got jammed in the player for four days. Sunday, the disc just decided to pop out, so I grabbed it and inserted the KISS Klassics CD that comes along with Sonic Boom - and this disc just skips around. We're not talking about a normal "skip" here: this is a massive, sound dropping mess. The problem isn't my car stereo, either. I tried a few different CDS, all of them played wonderfully.

Am I the only one having such KISS problems?

I swear I read on Metal Sludge that someone else was having issues with the CD quality of Sonic Boom, but now I can't find that thread. I can't return the disc because I threw away the receipt when I walked out of the evil empire, er,  store. I've never had a problem with a newly purchased CD - ever. I'm afraid to put any of the KISS related Sonic Boom discs in my laptop because I don't want one of them to become jammed, or worse. At this point, I'm even afraid of trying to play the live DVD.

Could it be that KISS sunk so low with their Wal-Mart deal that they sacrificed basic quality standards? Maybe I just got a dud -- it happens. One thing is for sure, I won't be spending another 12 bucks on a new copy of Sonic Boom. 

Anyone else have such problems?

Comments

[Gil]

I haven't had any such problems with my copy. It plays fine in my work PC and my car CD player. I bet your car player messed up the CD when it got stuck. Since it is only available at Walmart maybe you can have them swap it. They might even be able to reprint your receipt. It wouldn't hurt to ask. You could try to get the songs via "other" means since you actually did purchase a copy.

[Sweet Lou]

Unfortunately my cd worked just fine. This disc does NOT live up to the hype. Yes it sounds like KISS from back in the day with two exceptions...the recording of the disc is horrid and the tunes sound like throwaways that didn't make previous albums. Of course when it comes to KISS, you deal with the fanatics that would praise Gene and Paul for passing kidney stones on record. The packaging was a novelty...getting re-recorded Kiss tunes and a live disc for less than 15 beans.

Allyson, Wal-Mart will let you exchange the disc without the receipt for the same disc. At least the Wal-Mart here in Pittsburgh allowed me to do that with the Ace Frehley cd.

[Scott]

I didn't have a problem getting it to play,but I did have a problem listening to it. As a long time Kiss fan I am not sure that I will listen to it a second time.

[MotleyCrue666]

Mine worked fine :)
Still looking forward to the review and for Feel The Steel review!

[SMK not SMF]

Works well, no issues with either cd haven't tried the DVD yet

[Damnp78]

Mine works fine as well. Well.... except for it being as great as they claimed.

[Brian]

You shouldn't need a receipt to prove that you purchased it.......Walmart is the exclusive seller of the album, so you couldn't have gotten it elsewhere. Plus, if you just want to make an exchange, it shouldn't be a problem.

My copy works fine. There are things I like and don't like about both the sonic boom album and the klassics disc. Overall, a 6.5/10.

[al rose]

mine played fine..the only problem is that my computer wouldnt read the racks when i tried to play it on windows media.

[Roy]

Sorry - As a long time KISS fan, I cant find my way to the store to even buy a copy.

[JT]

My copy worked fine. I'm sure you just came across a dud...unfortunatly it happens. Not sure why KISS fans would not think that this is a GREAT CD. There are 6 or 7 really good tunes, 2 or 3 just good ones and 1 or 2 average at best ones. I am a long time fan but I know this is the best CD since Lick It Up.

[Bob]

speaking as someone who has been a fan since the 70s, I think Kiss's new album is pretty good -- not great, but definitely pretty good. It does somewhat reflect their classic sound. Ironically, the only song I can't stand is "Stand." Ace's CD is clearly the superior rlease between the two.

[Fitz]

I think Sonic Boom is a great CD! Go swap it for a new one Im sure walmart will exchange it. Almost all the tunes are killer. It blows away Ace's piece of crap CD that took him 13yrs to put out. He cant write worth a shit anymore but i still love him and will see him live if he ever tours. Speaking of which Kiss was fucking killer when I saw them play Boston 2 weeks ago. Do yourself a favor and see them live on this tour!!

[Kari]

Hey Motley666, here's your Feel the Steel Review....EVERYONE MUST OWN THIS CD! Songs like Community Property, Girl From Oklahoma, Stripper Girl, The Shocker, Party All Day will have you laughing and singing for hours. Steel Panther has found a way to incorporate glam metal, sex, tongue and cheek comedy all in one cd to the point where you can't help but love it. THe songs will get stuck in your head and then you just start laughing b/c you can't believe the songs are stuck in your head. This cd appeals to everyone with a sense of humor and who likes music. Only negative thing I can say is that it's not radio friendly or appropriate for children. OK, now i'll leave the REAL review for Allyson. Just wanted to put my .02 in on Feel The Steel!

[JT]

No problems here. As for the quality, Sonic Boom is pretty good. I have to admit I wasn't expecting much, and maybe that's why I like it so much. I wouldn't call it a return to the 70s, but early 80s for sure. I'm still against Thayer and Singer wearing the Spaceman and Cat makeup, but that is a separate issue from the music.

The Klassics disc is another story. The older stuff sounded like it was slowed down or something, definitely inferior to the original.

The DVD, eh. I loved seeing the band in concert a decade ago, but the DVD is boring. Sorry, just my opinion.

[JT]

And this is a different JT than the other JT, LOL. Just noticed that.

[SMK not SMF]

agreed on the "KISS Klassics" not so classic. Kind of poor actually. I like Sonic Boom. It is not the first 6 LPs (studio) nor is it like Revenge (Which I love!) It is in the category of Lick It Up IMO. There is good stuff, some weak stuff, some stuff I love (animal).

[sixx58]

Well I guess there will always be KISS haters. Anyone who says the new Ace cd is better than Sonic Boom has got to get there stereo or hearing aid fixed. As a lifetime KISS fan I still love Ace but his cd does not even touch Boom. Take Sonic Boom and turn that sucker up (skip Stand) give it a few rotations and then really tell me what there is not to like.There are tracks on there that could fit right in with previous KISS albums over the years. Allyson you must get a new copy some way. I know by visiting this site everyday and your fine taste in music you will enjoy Boom. I know it will not dissapoint. If you don't want to spend $12 again drop me a line and I will buy you a new copy and overnight it to ya....Rock On Sixx58

[nirVrana]

I think it is a KISS album, no better or worse than any other. They have never been musical geniuses or pushing the envelope. They are basic, straight ahead rock and roll. It has always been the theater that made it something special.
I finally got to see them live this week and it was quite the show. They played a lot of *really* old stuff that I did not know, and I thought the new stuff sounded as good as the very early stuff.
The Klassics CD is weak, it is like a watered-down version of the old tunes, and they don't quite sing as well these days. I think bands are re-recording a lot of old songs because this way they own the masters and get more royalties from them. That is the only reason to do it, I can't think of any that sound better now than before, although Journey comes the closest.

[sixx58]

Okay the Journey guy has got to go I know you say the old KISS guy don't have a clue what he is talking about. PLEASE Journey and KISS in the same paragraph is 100% insane KISS kicks Journey's ass in all catagories. Nuff said!!!!

[Meds]

I gave it 3 stars...aint exactly 1975, but aint exactly garbage either