Album Review: Ace Frehley – 10,000 Volts
By Sheldon Ang
PREORDER ALBUM HERE: https://acefrehley.ffm.to/10kvolts
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer – Ace Frehley, will forever be remembered as the former guitarist of “the hottest band in the world”, KISS. After all, Frehley is a co-founder of the band that had reigned across the world’s arenas and stadiums from Perth Arena to the MCG, finally retiring at the MSG. Despite Ace’s departure in 1981 plus the odd reunions, his association with KISS is iconic – which includes a fair share of brilliance, controversy and a lot of untold stories, which we shall leave them as that.
Ace Frehley told Sheldon Ang Media of his departure during an interview in 2020, “It was time to leave, I wasn’t able to have fun anymore. The whole idea behind rock and roll is to have fun, and if you’re not having fun, it is time to move on. And with the success in my solo album New York Groove, it was pretty much the writing on the wall for me – and I knew it was the best time to leave KISS, because I was more creative being away from KISS than with KISS. So it was just a matter of time. When The Elder which I was completely against, bombed – which Gene, Paul and Bob pushed on me…I called out the album was gonna bomb, and it bombed. They didn’t listen to me…that was pretty much the icing on the cake and that was when I started to leave the group and moved forward with my own band.”
Moving forward has been trajectory of Ace Frehley for over forty years. The singer songwriter and musician has been one of rock’s iconic guitarists/vocalists in his own right. He’s also the most successful solo performer among his original colleagues in Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. Since his self-titled debut album in 1978, Frehley has released a further nine studio albums including Frehley’s Comet (1987) that went Platinum. The 2014 LP Space Invader peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard 200
So we’re almost here for the unveiling of the Ace’s next album; 10,000 Volts produced by Ace Frehley and Steve Brown is out on February 23rd.
Floor Jansen of Nightwish also told Sheldon Ang Media, “A lot of metal music is sung by angry white men with long hair singing about bullshit.” This album is rock – and what we appreciate about the 10,000 Volts album is the distinctive diction of his vocals throughout the album; with every syllable being discernible, far from the occasional blurred and mashed which frequent in the heavy category of music. This is significantly important given this album is lyrically intensive, intertwining dexterously with the beautiful art of sonic rock. Still, 10,000 Volts is sprinkled with plenty of guitar solos throughout that personify Ace Frehley, which will electrify the excitement core of music lovers across an eclectic demographic.
Upon analysing the lyrics without being influenced by Ace Frehley’s sonics, this album predominantly expels the grind of love and obsession plus self-reflection and questioning on big brother’s coverage through technology. If you’re not into the infusion of teenage-like, first crush obsession kind of music – it matters little, as there are plenty of Ace’s signature through riffs that intertwine the softer side of the rocker. Afterall, the man is a rockstar.
So, here are our first thoughts of the tracks on the album 10,000 Volts:
The track title and opening single 10,000 Volts, as we Aussies say – is an absolute ripper, propped with scintillating riffs and thundering drums – a great introduction to the rock album. With lyrics such as, “She hit me like 10,000 volts when I saw her face…” it is a relatable journey for the lucky ones who have punched above our own cupid weight.
Walking On The Moon is a melodic track that intertwines with space (thus the title) and a relationship that overwhelms, with an overdose of solid finger jarring guitar solo that’s undeniable Ace.
Cosmic Heart introduces the track with a heavy drum-laden, compounding that arena feel, which would also be a great opening track of an Ace Frehley concert. The electric guitar solo plus the cult like sing along verse – “No one can read my mind, I can’t be hypnotised” moulds his mental independence. Does it reflect Ace Frehley’s personality and present mental fortitude?
Back to back tracks Cherry Medicine and Back Into My Arms Again tweak the duality between the lyrics of a love song and thundering rock song with heavy riffs… “Cherry Medicine – you’re the one”. Perhaps “Cherry” is a metaphor for a human anatomy? Wink wink. Ace is a rocker afterall. ”You put an ending to the chase….you’re captivating,…you’re fascinating”. Similarly, the latter track has an acoustic undertone – with a classic sing along, “I hear you’re coming back into my arms again.” This track breaks the heaviness in Ace Frehley.
Blinded starts with “’Coz we’re blinded by science…And we’re blinded by fear…Watch your back there’s camera everywhere”. Is this track questioning the big brother society and their invasion of privacy in the digital age? It’s also a respite from the love and space theme. The song culminates to another solo performance that would trigger an air guitar animation in open space.
Constantly Cute returns to the topic of obsession and woman, “You’re constantly cute”. The draggy vocals at the first verse spark imagery of the English punk rock culture of the 80’s.
“You saved my heart…you saved my soul…you saved my life…you save my life many times …you save my heart …and you don’t even know me…you saved my soul save my dream…and you don’t even know me,” underlines the thematic soul of Life of a Stranger. This track is deep, and the sincerity of Ace’s vocals is palpable. Perhaps this song underlines the human remedy to the darkest days of Ace’s life?
The penultimate song Up In The Sky shares the same thematic structure with Blinded – trust issues with the authorities – Up In The Sky…”I thank we are losing control – You can’t trust the news….you cant trust the law”. This track could’ve easily been the theme song of “Don’t Look Up” starring Leonardo de Caprio.
Stratosphere – a beautiful instrumental ending to the album – a solid 80’s start that resembles to a rock ballad of those era…a gentle reminder that rock is still alive thanks to likes of Ace Frehley. The instrumental set perhaps highlights the mood.
11 tracks that stand out on its own. This album dives deep into Ace Frehley’s mind. The lyrics are relatable across all demographics and are a joy to listen. If 10,000 Volts were to be released in an era dominated by rock music, it would be another multi platinum certified rock masterpiece on release. But who knows, so we can’t wait for the fans’ reaction when 10,000 Volts unveils to the world.
PREORDER ALBUM HERE: https://acefrehley.ffm.to/10kvolts
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About the Writer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review over 70 of the hottest acts in Perth including Coldplay, KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lizzo with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem and Toni Childs on social media. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) and over forty legends.
