CD REVIEW: ACE FREHLEY – Space Invader

Label: eOne Music

Release Date: August 19, 2014

Rating: 10/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

One of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s newest inductees, Ace Frehley, is unleashing a nugget of rock gold next week, on August 19.  Kicking off with the title track, “Space Invader,” we are treated to that familiar vocal and the guitars that run the gamut of full rhythm accompaniment to killer lead and riffs.  “Gimme A Feelin'” is next and those who waited for a follow-up to 2009’s Anomaly are rewarded from the first riff until the last note.  The opening riff is classic Ace and demonstrates once again why he has influenced so many of today’s greatest guitarists.  “Change” has a fun riff that starts the track, but the chugging rhythm underneath the vocals adds depth and grit to the track that makes this a bit heavier than some of the other tracks without deviating from Ace’s signature sound.  “Immortal Pleasures” is a different track from Ace that features a muted guitar line that adds depth to the track, especially once the vocals kick in and give the song an identity.  “What Every Girls Wants” is a return to a sound and era for Ace.  The feel of this track sounds like a riff he would have constructed in his formative years, while adding the experience of being a seasoned solo artist who has developed his own sound.  “Reckless” plays off of other tracks on this disc, while adding a playful vibe from earlier Frehley gems.  This song helps tie pieces of Ace’s past with the present, and hopefully the future.

“I Wanna Hold You” is a cool track that gives Ace another card in his deck of tricks.  The song has a playful pop sensibility without losing the rock edge that his voice and guitar lend to virtually every track in his catalog.  “Toys” is full of soaring riffs that offset the chugging guitar parts in the verse.  The vocals and lyrics are all Ace.  The tempo and mood of this track remind me of the song “Dolls” from his first post-Kiss solo disc, 1987’s Frehley’s Comet.  “Inside The Vortex” gives all Ace fans exactly what they are looking for: tight vocals and tighter guitars.  The drumming and bass on this track are heavy without bringing the vibe of the song down.  “Past The Milky Way” is reminiscent of his 1978 solo album, in that it breaks the mold of what is expected from him, but comes off as only an Ace Frehley track can.  The chorus and bridges are chock full of guitar gems that duet nicely with his vocal.  “The Joker” is an interesting take on the Steve Miller track.  Although cut from different clothes with most of their catalogs, you see how adaptive Ace and his playing can be in creating his own spin on an all too familiar track without totally changing it.  Disc closer “Starship” is another great instrumental from Ace that brings all of the facets of this disc and his career together in a cool 7:00 opus.  The use of effects and his playing harken back to “Fractured Mirror” while updating that groove and feeling to 2014 with this song.  The track is a bit heavier, but reminds us why we loved Ace in the first place.

Forget comparisons to any bands Ace has been associated with in the past – a great record is a great record… and this is a GREAT RECORD.  Ace has outdone himself and proven to the world once again why he has influenced guitar players and that he is still relevant in 2014.

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Category: CD Reviews