Ex-KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Took His Time Putting Out Solo Albumby Keith Carman (CHARTattack)
Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is humble and incredibly good-natured, and admits it's been a busy 20 years, what with his reinstatement in the KISS line-up for their reunion a few years back and eventual departure.
"I was in outer space for a while. I was trying to get sober... this and that," chuckles Frehley about why it's been two decades since his last solo effort, 1989's Trouble Walkin'.
Yet he's finally gotten enough music together for a fourth effort, Anomaly, and has been diligently ensuring his unaccompanied return to the spotlight is seamless and a strong representation of Space-Ace.
"I realized it's an important album for me after being away for such a long time, so I really took my time in getting it together," he says.
"Some of the songs were written way back in 2004, but as I was working on them I had to change some a little. My head's in a different place than it was back then. Some of these songs I've rewritten two or three times. I recorded about 16 songs but put a few off to the side because I feel these are the 13 strongest tracks."
While Frehley notes Anomaly boasts a few departures from his signature writing and performing styles via songs in drop-tuning, jazz guitar solos and two epic tunes clocking in at over six minutes apiece, the record's heart is still deeply rooted in his longstanding tradition of straight-forward rock with a few flares here and there.
It naturally features his inevitable cover, this time via a rendition of The Sweet's "Fox On The Run." He credits co-producer/songwriter Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Def Leppard) with helping keep the album on-track while still throwing the odd interesting curve here and there.
"I'm never happy with what I do. I end up settling," Frehley says.
"Every time I do a guitar solo — it might be a great one — I feel I could do it better.
"So I try to surround myself with good ears to help when I'm producing my work. I need people to help and say, 'Hey, that's enough,' or I'll keep recording over and over again and it'll never get done. Marti was essential in that. He pushed me but also knew when we had something great captured.
"This album wouldn't be what it is without his assistance," he continues. "The people who helped knocked it up an extra notch; gave it more continuity. I learned a lot making this album and I'm really excited about it. Hopefully it's everything people expect and more."
Ace Frehley will appear here:
Sept. 26 Fords, NJ @ Vintage Vinyl (signing)
Sept. 27 West Babylon, NY @ Looney Tunes (signing)
Oct. 19 Melbourne, Australia @ Palace
Oct. 20 Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre
Oct. 21 Brisbane, Australia @ Tivoli
