Music review: Ace Frehley – ‘Space Invader’
When Ace Frehley left Kiss in 1982, I never thought he would continue to maintain a successful solo career.
When each member of Kiss simultaneously released solo efforts in 1978, I expected Frehley’s album to be the third best out of the four.
Surprisingly, Frehley’s album was significantly better than all the rest with vigorous arrangements such as “Rip It Out,” “Speedin’ Back to My Baby” and “New York Groove.”
The Bronx native would follow up with three more spirited efforts before taking a 20-year hiatus.
If 2009’s “Anomaly” was Frehley’s comeback release, “Space Invader” launches the eccentric guitarist to the next level as a solo artist.
The new material features the founding Kiss guitarist and 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in prime form, sounding remarkably focused and solid.
Celebrating over seven years of sobriety, Frehley is clearly concentrated on displaying his exceptional guitar licks and making a great album.
The opening title track explodes with a hefty dose of fierce guitar playing and soaring vocals.
“Gimme a Feelin'” delivers more infectious rock and blazing guitar work. This fervent rocker stands up to Frehley’s 1977 lead vocal debut on “Shock Me” with Kiss. With songs like “I Wanna Hold You,” “Immortal Pleasures” and “What Every Girl Wants,” Frehley effortlessly serves up palpable rock with a pop sensibility.
On “Change,” Frehley makes reference to his personal struggles and triumphs, while “Past the Milky Way” is a power ballad about his current relationship. The only misstep comes on an uneventful cover of Steve Miller’s “The Joker.”
It’s not that it’s dreadful, but Frehley’s version does nothing to enhance Miller’s original classic. “Starship” is an ethereal number that sounds like a cross between Pink Floyd and David Bowie and serves as an appropriate way to close an album from an artist affectionately known as “Space Ace.”
Clint Rhodes is the Herald-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.