Kiss News

Kiss, "Sonic Boom" (Kiss Records)

"Sonic Boom," the first Kiss studio album in 11 years, is one of the best hard rock albums of 2009. But what keeps it from being truly great is the massive musical identify theft by guitarist Tommy Thayer.

Since being promoted from traveling assistant to Ace Frehley's replacement in 2003, Thayer has worn Frehley's makeup and costume, copied his solos note for note — including his extended concert solo — and even briefly sang Frehley's signature tune, "Shock Me," to the dismay of longtime Kiss fans.

So surely on his first studio session, Thayer would put his stamp on the band, recording his own solos in his own style. Right?

Wrong. On song after song, Thayer lifts key parts of classic Frehley solos rather than creating his own, and the theft is immediately recognizable. On "Russian Roulette," he steals from Frehley's solo on "Rock and Roll All Nite." On "Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)," he takes from "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "See You in Your Dreams."

On "Hot and Cold," Thayer lifts a Frehley solo bend from "Trouble Walkin'," and on "All for the Glory," he cops the heart of Frehley's "Parasite" solo. "I'm an Animal" sees Thayer lifting licks from "Makin' Love" and "Love Gun."

Paul Stanley, who produced the album, shines on "Modern Day Delilah," the epic "Stand" and the anthem-in-waiting "Say Yeah," with its shout-it-outloud chorus. Gene Simmons has his moment of modesty on "Nobody's Perfect," with the follow-up line, "but baby I come awfully close."

Drummer Eric Singer wears predecessor Peter Criss' catman costume and makeup. But Singer earned his whiskers through his 1992-96 tenure in Kiss during the unmasked era. More important, he brings his own style to classic Kiss songs, and his album vocal debut on "All for the Glory" is a decent one.

"Sonic Boom" also includes a second disc of Kiss classics re-recorded with the current lineup, and tracks like "Calling Dr. Love" and "Heaven's on Fire" have never sounded as fresh and raw. There's even a bonus DVD of an April 2009 concert in Argentina.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: Thayer makes his vocal debut on "When Lightning Strikes," one of the best tracks on the album and his lone moment of true creation. Yet even here, on what should be his signature statement song, Thayer can't help himself, copping the heart of Frehley's memorable solo on "Love 'em and Leave 'em."