Ace Frehley – Space Invader
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Label: eOne Music
What can I say about Ace Frehley’s latest album Space Invader other than what a huge fucking surprise. When Ace put out 2009’s Anomaly I remember that it left me kind of scratching my head and I quickly forgot about it. You can imagine my reluctance to even dive into this album but ya know what? It’s fucking Ace Frehley and I’m a fan so I just had to. As “Space Invader” filled my room I just nodded with approval and loved it but as soon as “Gimme A Feelin’” kicked in I felt this shit eating grin take over my face. This is some great shit!
Ace definitely knows that his strong suit is not hiding from his past as a member of KISS and with songs like, “Change”, “Toys”, and “Inside the Vortex” I feel like Ace tapped into his legacy as a member of KISS and wrote some of the best KISS material that will never be. “What Every Girl Wants” could’ve been on Love Gun and in my opinion is one of Ace’s shining moments. It’s a catchy, fun song that has one of the catchiest hooks I’ve heard from him to date. “Past the Milky Way” was another fantastic moment that I felt had Ace really pushing himself as a singer which I thought was really cool. I really could’ve done without his cover of that God awful Steve Miller Band song “The Joker.” Not even Ace could make that song any good. I wish he would’ve chosen something that was more “him” like he did with ELO’s “Do Ya.” The album does close out with a really great instrumental called “Starship” that I feel like joins the “Fractured…” family very well. I love hearing Ace just rip on a guitar and I have to say, “Sorry Tommy Thayer. You’re a great guitarist but you’re great at playing Ace Frehley. Ace is Ace and always will be.”
At the end of it all, Space Invader is fun fucking album. It sounds fantastic and Ace sounds like he’s having more fun than he’s had in years. This is the best thing he’s done, in my opinion, since his KISS solo album. I mean, in all honesty, if you’re looking for compelling, thought provoking songwriting this is not the album to do so but really? It’s Ace Fucking Frehley. He’s not out to pique your brain. He’s out to rock your fucking face off and once again be the soundtrack to your good times, to your car rides with the windows and/or top down, and to your adult life just like he was for you as a kid. Space Invader is that album that I hoped Ace Frehley would make but really didn’t think he would make. This is some good shit folks and it proves to all that Ace still has what it takes to be great. The Ace is back and I told you so!
