Album review: ACE FREHLEY – Space Invader

Ace Frehley - Space Invader

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 18.08.14]

The former (and founder) Kiss guitarist’s (and occasional bassist) new album is long overdue and very welcome – it’s a complete blast and from the opening crash a solid breath of fresh air.

Frehley’s fifth solo album (a live set and a couple of comps aside) follows on nicely from 2009′s Anomaly and features some solid beefy production; while it’s a much heavier sound than the 80s work (Trouble Walking has always been a personal favourite), the riffs and solos are as blistering as ever, the vocals distinctive.

From the first time I ever saw Frehley live, at his one-off Hammersmith solo show in the late 80s, I’ve always thought his solo work far better than Kiss have ever done without him, and this album from the outset goes a long way to justify that belief.

The title track opens and plays on his Space Ace nickname, and features a damn fine solo too.

‘Gimme A Feelin” nods back to 70s Kiss in quite uplifting fashion, while ‘I Wanna Hold You’ is more sleazy rock’n'roll. Then ‘Change’ is slower, bigger, a big number to sing along to. And the cover of ‘The Joker’ is guaranteed to make you smile.

Without going through every track individually, the overall feel is just WOW. Ace dips into Kiss territory, whether by riff or solo, and then escapes and lets rip, set free. The guitar work is layered and beautifully built, solid and it makes you think just how good Kiss could have been if they’d done something like this.

Proof that Frehley is one of the most underrated and influential metal guitarists around, and he’s still going strong. One of the albums of 2014. Yes, I think so. ****1/2

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)