Album review: ACE FREHLEY – Anomaly (Deluxe Edition)

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 08.09.17]

Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has always fared better than the band’s other members when it comes to solo efforts and 2009’s “Anomaly” was a big hit with fans- and it’s not hard to see why as it was a real return to form and some of his best post KISS output (well, the second exit anyway).

However, the album has been out of print since 2010 and has now been granted a deluxe edition re-release. Remastered and boasting three bonus tracks – two unreleased and the other only previously available on the original vinyl release.

If you already own the album then you would probably need to be a completest to add the reissue to you collection as the bonus tracks are not earthmoving- “Pain In The Neck” is a slowed down version of the earlier album track, it has a heavier feel but as such also feels slightly sluggish. “Return of the Space Bear” would have been a great instrumental but has some very strange laughing and vocal outburst that may be a little too reminiscent of Frehley’s past life on the sauce!! The final “new” track is “Hard For Me” and whilst this is classic Ace it is also a bit too close to a couple of songs on the original release.

Talking of which, if you haven’t had the pleasure, please let me briefly introduce you to “Anomaly”. From bombastic opener “Foxy & Free” in the album has a solid feel with tracks like “Outer Space” (it’s where he’s from you know!!), instrumental “Fractured Quantum” (the previous three parts to which reside on earlier solo albums) and “Sister”, which is an old Ace song that has now been dusted down and brought up to date, giving the album a familiar Ace glow to it.

“Genghis Khan” has echoes of Led Zep to it whilst Frehley really does make his rendition of Sweet’s “Fox On The Run” his very own. “Space Bear” is another instrumental but this one feeling a little repetitive at times. “Change The World” is slower and has a slight spiritual feel to it whilst “A Little Below The Angels” is acoustic and almost biographical.

The recommended starting point, in my opinion, has to be “Pain In The Neck” and “Too Many Faces” which are my personal highlights amongst the album’s original twelve tracks.

Ace Frehley is a legend amongst KISS fans and guitar players worldwide and his recent output has been very good, however, as great as “Anomaly” is this deluxe reissue is really only going to complete the collection. ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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 20 October 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 22 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 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 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)