Been asked by many for my review of the new Ace Frehley album. I have been living with it for a while now and premiered the title track last night on my radio show. I have been hesitant to post a review because many will feel it will be bias because of my long time friendship with him. However anyone who TRULY follows me and what I do knows I give my honest view regardless of personal relationships on all things. So with that in mind here’s my take; this is a very solid hard rock album. Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it as good as the ’78 record? No, but in some ways pretty damn close. But it is not 1978 and Ace is not 30, and we haven’t had 35 years to live with this to see how it holds up. But it is an album better than many will expect and certainly delivers in many areas. It is pretty simple really. If you are an Ace fan, love his persona, attitude and playing, you will love the album. The album has a space theme running throughout. Maybe a statement of ownership from the original (and in my opinion only) spaceman? Production is solid. It sounds live, guitars loud, and it really jumps out at you (maybe at times a bit too much). Maybe the most amazing thing about the album is Ace’s voice. Obviously he was never Freddie Mercury, but in a Keith Richards sort of way he has an attitude and conviction in his voice that people love and more than makes up for any lack of range. People love when he sings and it clearly worked during the Kiss years with Shock Me, NY Groove and many others. Ace’s voice is strong and out front throughout. Really impressed how well he’s belting it out. And his playing is maybe better than it’s been in a very long time. My only complaint being that some songs fade on solos that I wish would stay up another 30 seconds or so. Always hated when my favorite albums and players have songs that fade while there is tasty guitar stuff happening. But everything has to end at some point I guess. As for the songs the best of them are the title track, the lead single “Gimme A Feelin” (best shot at real airplay as a single to me), “I Wanna Hold You” (another possible single), “Immortal Pleasures” (different vibe, great vocal and Ace singing about the good times.), “What Every Girl Wants” (another possible single), and “Past The Milky Way” (a classic space vibe that reminds me of something from the ’78 album, great solos, fades too soon though. Would love it to just keep going!). The space theme continues with the album closer, an instrumental titled “Starship” that does give a nod to Fractured Mirror and clocks in at around 8 minutes. Again some of Ace’s best soloing and guitar sounds in a very long time. The guy that influenced so many closing out with a sonic blend of guitars on top of guitars! The final thing heard is Ace asking if “anyone has seen George Jetson”, followed by his classic cackle! Again, classic Ace! The Steve Miller cover of “The Joker” is fine but I would have liked to see him make it more his own. The tracks I didn’t mention are far from throw aways, but material wise I like the above tracks best. It really is a fine album that is best served listened to as a complete experience. And here is what’s really great about it. It truly has the classic Kiss vibe running through it naturally. While that band continues to try and make records that sound like classic Kiss by making two fine musicians in Tommy and Eric play like the people they have to portray, Ace IS classic Kiss. It’s the genuine artifact! The album drips with the spirit of classic Kiss and classic Ace from top to bottom naturally. It is all Ace knows. And if you are a fan that’s a damn good thing! Regardless of the attempts at times from the current Kiss to diminish his contributions, when you listen to Space Invader it becomes incredibly obvious just how much Ace meant to Kiss in his sound, playing and attitude. And this album proves he still has it in spades, or Ace’s… As Gene Simmons said himself during his R&R Hall Of Fame speech, Ace has often been imitated but never duplicated. Now there’s something I can truly say I agree with from Gene! Again, if you are/were a Kiss/Ace fan, nothing not to love here. Clearly Ace’s years of sobriety have reinvigorated him to create an album far better than anyone might have expected at this point in his career. And Space Invader is sonic proof just how vital he truly was (as was Peter) to the sound and concept of Kiss. Welcome back to the one and only Space Ace!
PS: There is a deluxe version of the album with two bonus tracks. But those tracks are only radio edits of two songs on the album. So unless you are super hardcore or want the digipak and poster the regular version has essentially the same material.
198 Responses
WOW is all i have to say. WOW!
This new Ace cd SUCKS!!! Anamoly is so much better.
Ace’s vocals are Horrible. The lyrics are very bad.
The Guitar solo’s are all pieced together old kiss solos.
Nothing New! Ed, how does Ace’s asshole taste???
The worst song on KISS Sonic Boom or Monster is better
than anything off of Space Invader. Its kind of sad that Ed Trunk
would write such a dishonest review. I guess he doesnt want to hurt
Ace’s feeling!! Sad
sorry for my opinión, forgot i cant have one on my site. thanks for the intelligent adult post.
I bought the album early(regular and deluxe digipack)and have been anticipating it since the original release date of June 24th.I heard gimme a feeling and loved it instantly.The production values,loud guitars,ace’s voice!(still sounds like the 70’s to me!)I got space invader and couldn’t wait to hear it!By far the most anticipated release this year(speaking for myself)and while I was expecting an anomaly sort of album,It was nowhere near that,but rather more like his 1978 solo record.Much like Eddie Van Halen on a different kind of truth,Ace has really found rediscovered himself with this record!I agree with Eddie Trunk 100% ,that this is Ace’s finest guitar playing that perhaps is on the level of his 70’s stuff.I LOVE Space Invader!The songs are well crafted,his riffs are AMAZING the record,his solos(which are ALL OVER the place!)are longer and there are many(beginingof track,middle and end,in sime instances
(Sorry was not finished)His voice sounds great and I was actually surprised at how good he still sounds.If your a classic KISS fan or an Ace fan you should love this record.It is vintage!Ace has always been my peronal favorite member of KISS and one of my top favorite guitar players of all time(Ace Frehley,Eddie Van Halen,Adrian Smith and Dave Murray).I hope Ace tours for this recordand I stongly urge for Fans of Ace to purchase the album and support him for this great offering!Support Ace!!Remember if the album does well Ace will probably tour!I will be buying the vinyl as well..Sorry for the goddamn book I just wrote,but felt the importance to inform those about the new record and how damn good it truly is,thanks for reading!
You are exactly right, Jesse. It’s a fun new record that Ace should be proud of ! Yes, a tour would be great and I would love it if “Space Invader” outsold the most recent KISS CD. That would really get Gene’s goat ! LOL
He’s just a hater, Eddie. I really like what I’ve heard ! As you said, anyone who is a true Ace fan will like it. Keep up the good work and I can’t wait for TMS to start back !
When the new AC/DC record comes out, will you expect Angus to play all new licks??? When you go to McD. to get a Big Mac (in case you like them) do you expect them to have changed the recipe to surprise or entertain you??
Rob, when you graduate high school, maybe you will understand.
rob, I’m submitting your review to rolling stone. your talents are being wasted here. you’re welcome, poster child.
You should be embarrassed; people read this stuff. Eddie being the gentleman that he is is leaving it to show that there are rude, inconsiderate people out there – YOU. You should apologize, but you are dead wrong about Space Invader anyway – look at these reviews here – everyone likes it. Go away !
Blow it out your ass, Rob.
Hmmm, love hard rock and heavy metal, grew up on it. I heard the Joker yesterday and it was awful. Let’s be honest everyone. I have respect for Kiss and Ace and in fact thought the 87 album was good. This though…. yikes!
Dude…there is only one JB on the board and that is me. Get a new moniker.
I actually love all of everyone’s opinions and comments. My opinion is I agree Gene and Paul did work hard and played their asses off on both Sonic Boom and Monster just as I feel ace has on Anomaly and noe Space Invader. I personally loved the last two Kiss records.and I do love these two from Ace. I like a comment above am very thankful that with all the stresses in the world that I have both Kiss and Ace to still turn to and I’m glad both are around and best of all they both are happier this way. Ace really wants to be successful on his own and I feel this is his best effort besides the 78 record. I am excited my son and I will be seeing Kiss together Aug 31 and we are hoping Ace yours behind Space Invader so we can buy tickets to support him too. In my life there is room for Kiss and Ace.
Eddie thanks for an honest review it is what it is. space invader is a great album from what I heard it’s space ace the one and only , its space ace at it’s finest I have a lot musician friends that are waiting fot this album,and it is true that Ace and Peter were the heart and soul of kiss ,It’s kinda like waiting for rock and roll over to came out .There is gonna be a listing party at one of my buddy’s house and I can’t wait!
What I’ve heard of the new record I love. I don’t want it to sound like 1978 I want it to sound like Ace Frehley in 2014. I’ll listen to those old records when I want to visit the past.