SPACE INVADER

It’s been five years since Ace Frehley’s previous studio album Anomaly was released. Prior to that, it had been twenty years since Ace had released any solo material, as Trouble Walkin’ had been released in 1989. It’s fair to say that Frehley is taking his solo career a little more seriously these days as far as creating new material for his fans, especially since he, and his fans, aren’t getting any younger.Now, Frehley releases Space Invader, an album of twelve new tracks (standard version) which promise to ride tandem with the likes of his 1978 Solo Album recorded while still in his former band KISS.The problem is, hype seems to have come at a higher value than substance. Months before the release, the album cover was revealed, and the announcement of famed artist Ken Kelly designing the album artwork, excited many die hard KISS fans. Kelly, as many know, designed KISS‘ most well-known album covers, Destroyer and Love Gun. That sort of nod to the past is nice, but what we’re really interested in is how an album sounds, not looks.As far as how the album sounds? Here’s the negative aspects:The opening track, Space Invader isn’t the strongest track to open an album. It’s not a bad song, but it’s certainly not a powerful opener. The chorus suspiciously sounds similar to the chorus in KISS’ Young and Wasted from 1983s Lick it Up…an album Frehley had no involvement in making. Nonetheless, it sounds very similar. And this is just me, but I have a pet peeve about leading your album off with the title track. It basically says, here’s the most important song and the rest are there for your enjoyment.I Wanna Hold You, Toys and What Every Girl Wants sounds an awful lot like Frehley’s Comet outtakes from the 80s, and reworked for this album. They sound irrelevant and don’t fit properly within the confines of this album.The biggest negative is the inclusion of The Joker, a cover of The Steve Miller Band‘s classic tune. Frehley, whose no stranger to recording cover songs (sometimes multiple times on one album such as Trouble Walkin’) has without a doubt recorded a dog for this album. To be fair, his version is no better or worse than the original. But why on earth would one of the most influential guitar players of our time record a version of one of the most overplayed (and somewhat annoying) songs? Do you know what the beauty of Frehley’s version of New York Groove from his 1978 Solo Album was? The fact that it was an obscure song from an obscure band. I’m guessing some of you reading this had no idea that New York Groove was a cover song (originally recorded by a band called HELLO.) Regardless, that’s what makes cover songs great. The fact that many people don’t know of it in the first place and you’re talented enough to put your own spin on the song. Frehley’s version of The Joker sounds like someone’s drunk uncle got up on stage and sang a bad karaoke version of it.The Positives, and there are positives to this:The lead single Gimme a Feelin’ is a classic Ace rocker with plenty of loose swagger. Immortal Pleasures and Inside The Vortex shy slightly away from the usual Ace offerings and that’s what makes them great. I’ve never seen much point in serving up the same songs over and over again until they are liquified completely. Past the Milky Way is another great example (musically, but not so much lyrically) and an enjoyable listen. Straying away from his usual “Fractured” instrumental, Frehley ends the album with the stand-alone instrumental Starship. It’s a higher tempo than his usual instrumental offerings, which is probably why it doesn’t bare the title Fractured Five.My Thoughts:Ace’s vocals are good. He’s no Robert Plant or Freddy Mercury, nor has he ever claimed to be. Ace is a unique vocalist with his own style and delivery. On a few occasions, I found the vocals to be muddy on this album. Not as clear on previous efforts. His guitar playing is stellar. Great solos, hooks and change ups. Lyrically, it suffers slightly as there are way too many outer space references. We get it—you are the original Space Ace. None of us have forgotten. Also, I feel the subject matter of Ace’s darker days of drugs, alcohol and car accidents have now been beaten to death. I was hoping for an Ace Frehley reboot—offering us something new in light of his more recent experiences, triumphs and outlook on life. Finally, the overall production could be improved upon. I’m wondering why Eddie Kramer was never called upon. Kramer has a history with Ace and his production work on the 1978 solo album, as well as 1989s Trouble Walkin’ are home runs. I sincerely feel that he could have made this album that much better had he produced it.And Finally:All in all, I have to say this album is worthy of 3 stars. Rather low and disappointing for an album that took five years to make. Well, more than likely not 5 years. This doesn’t sound like the album die-hard Ace fans have been waiting anxiously for. Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, Frehley should dig into the archives and remix or even re-record some of his early Frehley’s Comet demos such as Catch Me When I Fall, The Hurts On and The Girl Can’t Dance. Fans have been craving professional recordings of these tracks for decades. Perhaps even an all covers album, seeing as Frehley is hell-bent on recording other peoples songs. Just don’t try to make a hodgepodge out of a new studio album because sometimes it just doesn’t work.

This is probably the second best Solo Release of Ace's career, the best being his original solo album when he was still in KISS. My favorite tracks are Space Invader and Past the Milky Way. Just classic Ace on those two tunes, exactly what I was wanting and expecting from Ace. I thought Anomoly was unfinished and rushed out for release in comparison. This one sounds more polished and fleshed out with more guitar. The guitar sounds great but most of the solo's lack the spark that made Ace's in solos in KISS so memorable. i thought he could have worked a bit more to improve the guitar solos and fills. Over time however, I have gotten used to the solos, but my first initial impressions were that they were not as good as they could be. It's also evident that Ace was going after a feeling and spotenaiety with his guitar work. There are several areas where you can hear missed notes and flubs, ala Jimmy Page.The other minor criticism I have is that I wish the drums sounded better. They have an 80's type production sound to them and the playing is pretty basic, a stark contrast to me from the Anton Fig days. I've also been spoiled listening to Rival Sons and drummer Mike Miley, so this seems skeletal in comparison.Despite my minor issues, the album sounds better with each listen. On his next release, I hope he works with a real producer and works a bit on the lyrics and vocal delivery, or get some of his buds to sing background and flesh things out. This release is about an 8/10 in regards to those issues, but I want him to knock it out of the park. This is a home run, but not a grand slam. If you like ACE you'll probably love this. If you are a casual fan, there is still enough here to enjoy a handful of songs as well.EDIT 8/29/2014After listening for a week I find that my initial impressions are mostly intact, but I didn't adequately express my opinion on some other aspects of this release. What's so great about this record is that it is a GUITAR record. I really liked the use of echo on various guitar and vocal bits on some of the songs which harken back to the 78 solo record. Most of the songs are made from a woven bed of guitar textures and riffs that allow the listener to get more from each listen, which was an element that made his 78 solo record such a classic. Some of the guitars sound modern, some classic, and every now and then it sounds exactly like some of the textures on his Kiss solo album.I think Ace should consider doing similar things with his voice on his next record, using more vocal effects here and there, like using a megaphone held to a microphone, which would have sounded great on the line in Space Invader "he comes from distant galaxies" , or on Inside the Vortex there are a lot of opportunities to use an old time radio effect on some of the vocal lines, etc. I think ACE made a great record and it's obvious that much effort was put into making the guitars sound fantastic with as much "color" as possible. He really pulls out all the stops on this one with with all his bag of tricks to keep you entertained with each new listen.

Lets be honest Ace's solo career has been all over the place since he left KISS, every solo album held up against the classic Kiss solo album from 1978.So how does this one match up, well the '78 disc is still his best but this is easily the most consistent and enjoyable solo album since then,the good points from his previous disc ANOMALY have been carried forward with this one,its all the better for it.All the Ace'isms that we've come to expect are there in spades,he's not a great singer,lyrics are goofy but some of his guitar playin' is superb.Highlights - easy the title track and 'Past the Milky Way' are classic Ace while 'Inside the Vortex' might just be one of the best tracks he ever produced.Others such as 'Gimme A Feelin' just struts along while 'I Wanna Hold You' and 'What Every Girl Wants' remind me of Ace circa the UNMASKED era.Naturally we get an instrumental 'Starship' quality once again and of course a cover version,2 versions of 'The Joker' the extended version being the best,Love the sound quality,sounds great,the packaging is excellent.although couldnt unfold the poster as it appears the folds are actually stuck together.And who didnt have a smile at the inside cover with Ace's make up face on his guitar ,might have sold the rights,but you cant keep the man down. excellent release

I'd say this is easily Ace's best album since his Kiss solo effort. The songs are really great, not a filler! Ace's style (as a guitar player and singer) are still very distinctive, and I believe that on Space Invader, Ace delivers his best performance in decades. "Toys", "Past the Milky Way", "Inside the vortex" and "Reckless" are instant classics!The cover of "Joker", while very well executed might seem a bit out of place-or is it simply because I've heard the original so much that I'm fed up with it? I could have done without it.The closing track (on the regular version) is another one of Ace's trademark instrumentals, although there is no reference to "Fractured Mirror" in the title ("Starship"), this is clearly another eposide of the mirror's adventures, and one of the best to boot!Great to have the Space Invader back.

Quite simply the best solo album so far from Ace Frehley. I have been a Kiss fan since the late 70's and I am just taken aback by this release it is so strong. Where did this come from? I have waited a while to review this as sometimes you love an album for a couple of weeks then basically forget about it. Space Invader improves with every listen, it is a classic. This is the release of 2014, I would recommend Space Invader to anyone who has ever owned a Kiss album and anyone who enjoys classic american rock. It has been quite a year for Ace getting inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and then Space Invader going top ten in the US charts. Great songs great packaging superb product, well done Ace.

ace delivers another knockout album, after a couple of listens this gets right under the skin! not a bad song on here ace is playing awesome guitar on here and his vocals are strong too (not usually his strong point).only quibble is the 2 extra tracks on the deluxe digipack which is another slightly longer version of the joker and another version of reckless, a bit pointless as these are on the album! the free poster also was stuck together like so many other people who have bought this, but hey ho i dont care as this album is killer. the release of the year by far>>>>>>>>>>>.

Space Invader is a fantastic offering from my personal favourite (ex)member of KISS. It delivers exactly what Frehley does best, which is to create hard rock music!Of course, his guitar playing ability isn't stellar. However that doesn't stop the man from producing a back catalogue of exceptional work, this album simply adding to it.This album is certainly the heaviest album Ace has put out in my opinion, which is certainly appreciated!