Abrakadabra! (From the song ”Your Wish Is My Command”.) Here it is! After four years comes the release of ACE FREHLEYS eighth solo-record with the suitable title “Spaceman”.
A certain feeling of KISS comes over you, but with a bit more modern sound.
Not so strange, considering his voice and guitarplaying are strongly connected in peoples minds to his time in this band (1973-1982 and 1996-2002). Also this living legend is the KISS-member who had the biggest success as a solo artist. You will find similarities, but also that this musician, singer and songwriter has put his own touch on the material.
One cover turns up, but it was inevitable. EDDIE MONEYs “I Wanna Go Back” made Ace feel like it was written about him, so strongly that it could have been his own words. Not hard to understand and when you listen it does not sound like a cover.
Although there has been some tension during previous years, “Space-Ace” and Gene Simmons are still close friends. In fact it was Gene that suggested the name of this production. They have worked together in Frehleys home studio and wrote “Without You I’m Nothing”, on which Simmons also plays the bass. Here you will find a groovy kind of feeling, which starts both the CD and your smile of satisfaction.
One can also hear Genes bassplaying on the first mentioned song. Otherwise this instrument is handled by Ace himself.
First of all we know this man as a guitar god and we will not be disappointed. This is how we want to hear him. There’s no question about it, he is awesome. Both his singing and technique on the strings sounds clear, so there is no doubt about anything. The guitarplaying is phenomenal, especially in “Pursuit Of Rock And Roll”. The only complaint I have is a wish for longer pieces, because when he really gets going at the end of many tracks, then it becomes toned down to a quick end.
One long composition exists and finish this great disc. Maybe with a little too gloomy end, but still interesting. As life itself one can’t always be happy, there has also to be seriousness. Lean back, relax and enjoy the instrumental “Quantum Flux”. Let you be filled with positive energy, while his Gibson Les Pauls talks to us.
ACE FREHLEY got most of this work done while being on tour and it’s not hard to imagine that he loves to be on stage. The cool “Rockin’ With The Boys” brings joy along with a catchy refrain. Actually this tune was written more than forty years ago, according to the man himself. But I guess the original version, like a good wine, needed a long time to mature. Or maybe he along the memory lane wanted to praise his time in one of the most legendary rockbands.
The audience will for sure sing along in this one. I can see it in front of me, when he is on the big arenas, with his contagious laugh that the writer of these words was happy to see and hear live at Sweden Rock Festival three years ago.
Such a joy and energy has spread through the creation of this album.
A long time ago this big artist came to an audition with one red and one orange shoe. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons had met their guitarist for a band that would be known all over the world. Ace knows what he wants and despite the troubles in the past he is nowadays stronger than ever.
The rumour says that this, according to me ultimate Frehley-album, is kind of a self biography. “Mission To Mars” sounds like sophisticated garage rock. Even though the lyrics are not about that, in my imagination I see a young guy practice to play and then leave for a bigger assignment as a world famous music artist.
Maybe music in fact keeps us younger, because Frehleys voice still sounds the same, or even better.
We will find everything presented in an obvious or simple way, which only a professional and brilliant star can do. The spaceman has landed right where he belongs. Surrounded by the same spirit, but today filled with even more energy and power.
The guy have mentioned rock as all you need, something we are many who agree with.
He is and will always be so cool. (Anna)
Bewertung:
9,5 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 9
Spielzeit: 37 min
Label: Entertainment One/SPV
Veröffentlichungstermin: 19.10.2018
