Ace Frehley: ‘Spaceman’
ACE FREHLEY
SPACEMAN
To be released on October 19, 2018 (Entertainment One)
Review:
Ace Frehley has been extremely active since 2009. When he returned that year, it had been a twenty year hiatus between Trouble Walkin’ and Anomaly. Since that time, he’s followed things up with Space Invader (2014) and his covers album Origins Vol. 1 (2016). The new album is titled Spaceman, which sums up what Ace will always be remembered as with or without the paint on. The new album, unlike the previous album, is all new material, well aside from a cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back.” Let’s face it, Ace hasn’t released a ‘bonafide’ classic that will unseat his ’78 solo album. He’s gotten close with Frehley’s Comet (1987) but it’s unlikely that it will happen at this stage in his career. The thing about an Ace Frehley album is that it will include some quirky lyrics, some cartoony vocals and some pretty cool riffage and explosive guitar solos. Spaceman continues that tradition.
As stated, with most Frehley albums, there’s songs that really hit the spot and others that you could live without hearing ever again. There’s three songs on this album that are absolutely classic Ace. “Rockin’ With The Boys” sounds like a vintage KISS song that gives a “Rocket Ride” or “Shock Me” type vibe. It’s simply spectacular and could become a staple in the Ace Frehley set from here until he decides to call it a day. “Bronx Boy” is a sloppy, simple at times lyrically pedestrian song, but it works for Frehley. He’s not deep lyrically. This is an autobiographical tune and let’s be honest here, Ace has never written lyrics for intellectuals. Another example of this is “Pursuit Of Rock And Roll” which cuts to the chase lyrically and simply rocks.
What would be an Ace Frehley album without a cover? Well, on this one, he tackles Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back” — a song that you’ve heard before. Ace doesn’t stray too far from the original arrangement, though as you’d expect, there’s a heavier helping of guitar. I’m indifferent to the song overall, but it does fit within this collection of songs. If you’re looking for an instrumental, then you’ll love “Quantum Flux.” Instrumental tracks have become a tradition on Frehley records. Some are better than others. “Quantum Flux” is a tad different than previous instrumentals in that Ace enters ‘progressive’ rock territory. That’s refreshing and out of the box. Spaceman is a good, fun record, but that only diehards will appreciate. In the end, isn’t that really the people that will buy it on release date or that pre-ordered it?
Track List:
01. Without You I’m Nothing
02. Rockin’ With the Boys
03. Your Wish Is My Command
04. Bronx Boy
05. Pursuit Of Rock And Roll
06. I Wanna Go Back
07. Mission To Mars
08. Off My Back
09. Quantum Flux
Band Member:
Ace Frehley – lead vocals (1 to 8), guitar (1 to 9), bass (2, 4, 5, 7, 8), background vocals (1 to 7)
Other Musicians:
Scot Coogan – drums (1, 3, 4, 7), background vocals (4)
Matt Starr – drums (2, 6, 9)
Anton Fig – drums (5, 8)
Gene Simmons – bass (1)
Alex Salzman – bass (3, 6), background vocals (2, 3)
Warren Huart – bass (9), guitar (9)
Ronnie Mancuso – guitar (4, 7)
Rachael Gordon – background vocals (2, 3)
Production:
Produced by Ace Frehley
Co-produced and engineered by Alex Salzman (1 to 8)
Co-produced and engineered by Warren Huart (9)
Mixed by Warren Huart
Mastered by Adam Ayan
Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook
Reviewed by Ruben Mosqueda for Sleaze Roxx, October 2018
Ace Frehley‘s “Rockin’ With The Boys” song:
Ace Frehley – Rockin’ With The Boys (Official Audio)
Music video by Ace Frehley performing Rockin’ With The Boys (Official Audio). 2018 Entertainment One U.S., LPhttp://vevo.ly/X2HLLY
Ace Frehley‘s “Bronx Boy” song:
Ace Frehley “Bronx Boy” (NEW SONG)
The space man returns with a new track “Bronx Boy” Listen to Ace Frehley latest “Bronx Boy”Follow Ace Frehley Onlinehttp://www.acefrehley.com/https://twitter…