Tag: Ace Frehley

Album Review: Ace Frehley – Origins Vol. 2 (eOne)

By: Jesse Striewski

As an avid KISS fan, I’ve always been a fan of guitarist Ace Frehely’s contributions to his former band, as well as his solo catalogue. There’s just always been a certain realness to his songs and voice that fans have always found appealing, and what makes another collection of covers in the form of Origins Vol. 2 so easily digestible, even if the track list found here is once again just so-so.

Like with Vol. 1, Frehely goes back to his early rock roots, in some cases improving on the original source material. Choosing to kick off things with an admirable version of Led Zepplin’s “Good Times, Bad Times,” Frehely quickly wields his magic throughout (most) of the album’s remaining tracks, including singles like Deep Purple’s “Space Truckin'” and The Beatles’ “I’m Down.” But other renditions of more obscure dinosaur rock tunes like Cream’s “Politician” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression” are sure to get lost on younger fans.

But the real highlights come in the form of the collaborations; Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander lends his voice on a lively version of Humble Pie’s “30 Days in the Hole,” while the lovely Lita Ford adds her talent to a unique take on The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” And of course Ace even tackles one from his former band KISS, going back to the Dressed to Kill album to unearth “She.” These later tracks alone do enough to cancel out nearly any of the filler tracks on Vol. 2. Overall, not a completely bad way to spend 45 minutes or so.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Album Review: Ace Frehley – Spaceman (Entertainment One Music)

Ace Frehely

By: Jesse Striewski

Everyone’s favorite spaceman is back for yet another solo outing (his 3rd in 4 years), and although it may not feature the most original title (just 2 albums back he released Space Invader in 2014), he seems to have tapped into the cosmos just right this time.

Some might argue tracks like “Bronx Boy” and first single “Rockin’ with the Boys” sound a tad dated, but they’re actually quite effective (though a cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back” does come off a bit forced).

Gene Simmons has a couple of songwriting credits here, and even lends his bass playing on one track (“Without You I’m Nothing”), and longtime Ace Frehley/Kiss contributor Anton Fig even makes an appearance or two.  But the song that hits the mark best hands down is “Mission to Mars;” layered with throwback guitar riffs that echo straight from a ’70s-era Kiss record, it’s the definite highlight found here. Leave it to the Spaceman not to let down.

Rating: 3/5 Stars