The Contrarians Presents: KISS Sonic Boom & Monster
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- The KISS Krew each give a rating on Sonic Boom and Monster!
The Contrarians is a show where one of us jumps in the hot seat picks a dark horse album from a band as that band's best album. The guest host will argue against them with facts, stats and all around truth, subjective and objective!
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Which KISS album is better? Sonic Boom or Monster?
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Solid albums that don't get enough attention musically - even from Kiss fans. Not all the songs are winners. But there's some good stuff on each. Monster's "Long Way Down" is phenomenal. And Sonic Boom's "Say Yeah" proves that Kiss is virtually unparalleled at writing rock anthems.
I really like those 2 albums. I wish they had released more albums with that line-up to confirm its existence and value as a valid line-up and not just some nostalgia act. I think "Sonic Boom" is great fun, very enjoyable. "Monster" is a bit more straight -to -the point. They both have great tracks and a nice rather analog sound to them. Had they recorded another one or two, they could have maybe get a sound and style that was more of that line-up, more confident...but I guess it's not what brings money, and Kiss is first about the money. I think that apart from "Revenge", those 2 releases are their best since "Lick it Up". SB is a 8 and Monster a 7.5 for me (mostly because SB came first and brought more excitement to me). Cheers.
I agree I wish they would release more new songs, i know its costly and people will complain (including probably me) but i wouldve liked to hear some new songs every once and a while, even if they dropped a new album every 5 years after psycho circus that would be like 4 or 5 albums by now
Agree 100% with Joe. Ace's 2009 album stole any thunder that Sonic Boom could have. Tommy's solo on SB are a random mix of various Ace's solos - but they don't work at all, they are kinda cringeworthy. Monster was a litlle better and Hell or Hallelujah gave Kiss a boost at the time (but that song has no staying power, as time proved). Tommy's solos were better on Monster. It's a shame Eric Singer doesn't play like he should and used to (remember Revenge and Unplugged?). Both SB and Monster sound too brickwalled. Still, I'm glad they exist. PS: I like Psycho Circus better. "Into the Void" and the title track still are great tracks. "I Pledge...", "You Wanted the Best", "Raise Your Glasses", "We are One", none of them are great tracks, yet they are way more memorable than anything on SB and Monster.
I fucking love both albums, that's how modern KISS should sound. It's a shame there'll be no more.
I'm alot older than any of you.Saw Kiss back in 1976 or 77 but I didn't go to see Kiss I went to see Uriah Heep.Kiss was okay but all my friends and myself considered Kiss to be like the Monkees something for our little brothers.We were into Uriah Heep,Zeppelin,Purple,Tull,ELP,Jeff Beck,Johnny Winter,Wishbone Ash etc the list goes on
I think Monster is better. They tried something different, heavier, more swing. Sonic Boom is like the excellent version of Psycho Circus. It should have been instead of Psycho Circus.
Ironically Monster probably sounds less like KISS than Sonic Boom does but it’s the superior album. It’s aged better too. Sonic Boom is thin sounding. Unlike you I do like Psycho Circus though
@@JCStorm76 Yes, better album, less like a Kiss album. It's super thick sounding, but I'd put Sonic Boom also as one of the thickest sounding Kiss albums, along with Revenge and Carnival of Souls.
@@MartinPopoff Yes that’s what I meant. It’s thinner sounding than Monster.
I used to have the Sonic Boom t-shirt, and probably got it at the wal-mart...
For me, I really like Sonic Boom and Monster. I like Monster more myself. I will say, and this going full contrarian, I like these two albums more than Love Gun (WHAAAt?!), Unmasked, Crazy Nights, Hot In The Shade and Carnival Of Souls.
to the “spectacle” thing…that’s why i still love Alice Cooper live
Ace is a hell of guitar player! Being a beatle fan and only ocasional kiss listener I find ace's solos are the hight of every kiss I like and they're a lot
Hard to take Reed seriously after he said the songwriting was better in the 80s. Really? On what planet? Everything after LIU is pretty much a fraction of what Kiss did in the 70s. Even if you hate Ace and Peter its nonsensical to say the songwriting on say Animalize isn't anything but awful.
A lot of people enjoy the sound of 80s KISS- they got into the band in this period and to them that is simply the sound of KISS with their glossy 80s production. But I agree with you completely- to me those 1980s albums after Creatures and Lick It Up are so generic and just ‘middle of the road’. And now its the end of the road.
I understand people that got into KISS during the 80s. I’m not sure I would have considering what other bands were writing at that time. The well just seemed dry for KISS by then. Literally all their competitors were putting out better material. I saw every tour from 79 till the Farewell tour. But it’s hard for me to understand someone that heard say Crazy Nights and they became their favorite band. Was Bruce a better guitar player? Maybe, but Ace was pretty fierce in his heyday and he certainly was a part of their best songs.
I do think Psycho Circus is better than these albums based solely on the song “Journey of a Thousand Years” last great kiss song in my opinion.
Ace, the worst guitarist KISS ever had? Stay off the blow, Reed!
Yup, that was weird AF. And what about praising Tommy for being a good employee? Dude works for Kiss for 30 years, 20 of them as a band member. He made enough money to quit 'the job' and do his own thing, but he didn't. "Poor, Tommy! Gene and Paul are the bad guys that don't give him a chance." C'mon, he doesn't have a sound, a style, he will never be an artist or intended to be one in the last 20 years. And he doesnt seem to care - that's the worst!! He doesn't deserve we spending time talklng about him. And Reed has the nerve to talk shit about Ace - a guy who is an artist, that developed a sound, a style!! I can sing most of Ace's solos, try to sing Bruce or Tommy solos, it won't be easy.
Both are great albums and all kiss albums are great
I dig all three albums (I'm including Psycho Circus). I give each of them a 6. I think there's enough really strong songs from the three to make one killer Kiss album.
I'd go 4, 8, 8.5
Ace is the best guitar player for sure !
Anybody can copy hardly any can innovate. I been playing for decades and Ace Frehley has a signature tone and great style. It's all about the feel ! Bruce and Tommy are good at copying the master but can't write a cold gin or shock me !!! Great podcast all the same.
Great albums
Great conversation Guys! I remember just before Sonic Boom was released hearing a snippet on the radio from either Paul or Gene saying something to the effect of "This album is taking us back to our 70's sound". I was thrilled. I didn't think that meant they were gonna rip off Ace's solos. I don't dislike these 2 albums for what they are. New music from a legendary band that I love late in their career. Maybe like The Stones' Bridges To Babylon?? Glad they put it out but it is no Sticky Fingers. I was not a fan of Tommy and Eric wearing Ace and Peter's makeup. I like the idea mentioned that had they made some subtle change it would have been more acceptable to some of us.
Sonic Boom for the win
Anomoly is a great album and I also listened to that a ton when it was released and still spin it.
Sonic Boom: 8
Monster: 7
Where’s the Styx ~ Cornerstone video?! “You’re killing me, Smalls!!!”
Not that I mind any new Conty vids - cuz they’re all cool - I’m just awaiting that new Cornerstone video with Mista Popoff and his compadre in crime. (I can’t recall the cat’s name, which rankles me, but l guess l “got the olds!”) That dude knows his stuff and is very well spoken. His analysis on the Percy, Petey T. & Pink Floyd videos were all fascinating, in their own unique way.
Looking forward to that Stygian vid, whenever it hits RUclips. Thanks for letting me vent-n-rave… cheers, lads!
♠️
It's amazing how completely wrong Reed is about everything, always.
While I'll agree Bruce is the most advanced well rounded player... ( He was the guitarist in the era of Van Halen, Rhoads, Vai and Malmsteen).. to call Ace the worst when Ace was the guitar sound of Kiss was involved in writing a ton of songs that they still play to this day vs someone like Tommy who has always been an Ace cloan even back in Black and Blue... Is a bit ridiculous... You don't compare beatlemania guy Mitch Weissman to Paul McCartney unless you were dropped on your head.
These albums were ok for what they were. A band way pass its prime making new music as an excuse to keep touring. I couldn’t stand Monster but Sonic Boom had some enjoyable songs in it like “Modern day Delilah” and “Never enough”. What I found most depressing is that Eric Singer’s talent is being watered down so he sounds like Peter Criss 2.0. That man is an amazing drummer being held back by Kiss.
I can't get through monster either. Just really bad.
Monster is better. Its held up the best over the last ten years out of the two albums. Heavier sound as well. It’s also one of Kiss’s most underrated albums.
I think it’s stocks will only continue to rise throughout the coming years. 7-10
Never understood the hate Psycho Circus gets either. It’s better than these two albums. Songs are more memorable.
Monster is so much better than Sonic Boom and has less of Tommy Thayer trying to replicate Ace. Having said that Tommy's song on the album is one of the best on Monster. Sonic Boom is quite underwhelming and unoriginal in my opinion. I'd give Sonic Boom 5/10 and Monster 8/10. The best song from these two albums has to be Hell Or Hallelujah.
Agree with everything you said. Monster just sounds better and better as the years roll on
👍👍
Not that either album is great, but I think "Sonic Boom" is far superior to that of "Monster." "Monster" has horrible cover art to boot! "Monster" starts out great with "Hell or Hallelujah", "Wall of Sound" and "Shout Mercy", but then it totally drags after that. In my opinion "Sonic Boom" is a more consistently good listen.
Monster = 4.5
Sonic Boom = 5.5/6
It’s tough to pick to be honest! I personally don’t think either album is very good! The songs that were released are definitely the best songs on each album! The albums to me sound 80ish kiss not 70s era kiss! I personally don’t think Paul or Gene could write a 70s era sounding song if they tried! They aren’t those guys anymore! Being a songwriter myself, you change as a writer! I’d give sonic boom and monster 3.5-4 out of 10!
ACE FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t like sonic boom at all. Only lightning strikes is the only good catchy song on there. Monster I really like. Mostly catchy and fast songs. Great album to go out on and probably the best one since revenge.
Love your videos guys but proof positive that fans always get stuck in the past. I mean bands stop putting out stuff for a reason. They are pigeon-held to their past. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. I mean do you know what it sounds like when you say cover looks like RnRO. Criticize Tommy playing like Ace when technically he's playing like that for a reason. That's what his position calls for. He is now the Spaceman. Eric singing. Etc. I mean come on.
Two of the most poor albums in the catalogue. Only Crazy Nights is more intolerable.
@@charlesbronson4282 the era ‘85 _’90 is forgetable. The last album I liked was Animalize. I also think Unplugged was ok. Carnival of Souls was a guilty pleasure, just like Music from the Elder. Psycho circus was such a bummer.
@@charlesbronson4282 My favorites are Hotter than Hell and Rock and Roll over
I like the stripped down Monster sound and Sonic Boom is meh other than Modern Day Delilah. Psycho Circus was a waste of time, Kiss' and mine.
Carnival Of Souls is worse
@@JCStorm76just as you said in some answer: "in your opinion"
LOL turned off when Clown claimed Ace released a great album in 2009,made his opinion irrelevant lol
Sonic Boom is pretty good, I can't stand Monster, they don't even sound like "songs" on that one.
Monster Sucks 🤮
Both albums are the most poor in their caralogue. Only Crazy Nights is more intolerable.
Please, no revisionist history on older crappy albums. Sonic Boom and Monster had very little creativity then and it’s the same now. Sometimes we mature as listeners and our tastes change over the years, but these two are terrible.
In your opinion
I think on an objective level, i.e. if you wiped the year of release off the back of all Kiss albums and compared, they are the two best. Have you heard the songs on Rock and Roll Over and Love Gun? They sound like they were made with crayons in comparison.
All I can say Martin is that you are living up to your ethos...that is a truly contrarian opinion.
sonic boom is the worst kiss album ever right up there with crazy nights ,monster was a bit better but i still like the elder better
Cannot stttttand Monster. Take me down below is atrocious! Monster is the worst kiss album imo