Customer Reviews

Frehley's Comet

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I could barely wait for this album to come out. Back in '86 or '87 when this was released, there was no internet, so the only way to keep up with your favorite bands was to read about them in the handful of rock magazines that catered to this kind of music: Metal Edge, Rock Scene, and Circus.

Like many, I was a huge KISS fan, but by the time I discovered them, Peter and Ace were long gone and the glory days of the hottest band in the world were, too. Though the remaining members had unmasked and we all knew what they looked like, Peter and Ace were nowhere to be found. I'd read an occasional story about one of them--Peter's guest appearance on a Black n Blue album or Ace Frehley endorsing Washburn guitars, but there wasn't much else.

I had heard that Ace had formed Frehley's Comet and was recording a new album, but that had gone on for years & years. Every time I went to the local record store (they really were "record" stores back then) I'd look for this album, and finally one day it was there. I was totally thrilled.

Joining Ace in the band were Tod Howarth (who apparently worked with Cheap Trick for a while), Pat Regan (who now produces albums), and veteran drummer Anton Fig (who has recorded with just about everyone at this point, including most of Ace's solo work). Howarth provided the more commercial side of the band (on tracks like "Calling to You"), and Ace's tunes sound pretty much like his '78 solo album.

Howath is a decent vocalist & clearly has a better range than Frehley, but I (and probably many others) would have preferred an all-Frehley album. This ends up being half Frehley, half Howarth. But hey, for a guy who waited so long to hear this album, half Frehley will do.

After 5 years, Ace emerges from out of nowhere to deliver a surprisingly good album. Frehley's Comet has its highs and it has its lows but overall the album is what we would expect from Ace after his fabulous 1978 KISS solo album. Rock Soldiers is Ace's explanation of what eventually drove him (literally) over the edge--his nearly fatal 1983 car accident. This is easily my favorite post-KISS Ace song. It has fantastic guitar work and actually is kind of a nifty story. Breakout has that Loony Tunes thing at the start that has always amused me. Ace's great rhythm section backed by Anton Fig on the drums really shines on this track. Into The Night is a testament to the seedy nightlife that I'm sure Ace has experienced firsthand. Something Moved has a creepy beginning and a great vocal by Tod Howarth. We Got Your Rock is the sort of rock anthem that KISS was doing in their heyday a la Shout It Out Loud. However the second half of the album pales in comparison to the first. Love Me Right is pretty bad. Dolls, Ace's shout out to "groupies", has that VERY-80's sounding synth track and just doesn't measure up to the rest of the material on the album. Calling To You is catchy enough. Stranger In A Strange Land is OK. Fractured Too, Ace's sequel to 1978's instrumental track, Fractured Mirror, is the other highlight of Frehley's Comet. Great musical experimentation with that same ethereal feeling delivered on the original track. Frehley's Comet marked the return of Ace Frehley, who virtually disappeared from the music scene after leaving KISS in 1982. The album is a firm reminder that Ace could really play and it was nice to see him working again because he was the most underrated member of KISS. My only complaint is why did Ace feel it was necessary to hire another vocalist? He is more than capable of handling a microphone and Tod Howarth, though a fine singer in his own right, unfortunately drowns Ace out with his loud screaming vocals. Luckily Ace he! lms the vocals on 6 of the 9 vocal tracks so we are able to hear him belt out the tunes but still....

When Ace Frehley left Kiss,everyone knew something was missing,it became obvious that Ace WAS Kiss,then after creative differances with Gene and Paul,Ace wanted to go back to the basics,straight out ROCK. because of contractual obligations Ace wasnt able to release his solo album right away,and fans began to grow anxious for some Ace. 1987 saw the release of Frehleys Comet,power rock at its best.
1.Rock Soldiers 9/10-Ace's anti-drinking anthem
2.Breakout-8/10-Ace's bandmate Tod Howarth sings this one
3.Into The Night 10/10-The BEST song on here
4.Something Moved 7/10-Tod Howarth's best song
5.We Got Your Rock-9/10-An instant Ace classic
6.Love Me Right 10/10-Ace truly jams on this one
7.Calling To You 7/10-An anthemic song from Howarth.
8.Dolls 6/10-Catchy but not rocking enough.
9.Stranger In a Strange Land 8/10-Simple,memorable
10.Fractured Too 9/10-A worthly sequel to Ace's original "Fractured" from his solo masterpiece in 1978.

Best Songs:Rock Soldiers,Into The Night,Love Me Right

Highest Possible Recomendation.

Every time I buy another Ace Frehley album I fall more and more deeper into Acemania. Ace is unbelieveable with such heavy metal guitar sounds and such good anthems. His major anthem is "Rock Soldiers". That album says rock and roll and is all about Ace, the song even has a lyrics that says, "Ace is back and he told you so." ACE IS BACK!!! Even Eric Carr, the fox drummer of KISS appeared on drum tracks for "Breakout". Great other hard rock songs came out on the album such as "Into The Night", "Calling To You", and "We Got Your Rock". Also another addition to his '78 instrumental piece "Fractured II". If you follow Ace, follow up into this album.

This album has some realy good songs on it.But if you ever bought an album for just one song,then Rock Soldiers is it.
That song is the best song Ace ever did and is a classic in my opinion.Just hits the spot and his lead guitar in it is awsome.
Mind you there is some other good songs here, Tod Howarth did share vocals and did a fine job with his contributions.
Actually there is no bad songs here.
Except i dont know why he kept attempting remakes of Fractured Mirror.

... this one is for you.

With this album, Ace spreads his cape and shows us his two sides-- the rock star and the creative artist. For the KISS traditionalist, there are songs like "Rock Soldiers" and "Breakout"; the more experimental player will like the quirky sense of fun in "Dolls" and the flowing instrumental "Fractured Too". The pop fans will love the Russ Ballard cover "Into the Night" (great solo, Ace!) and Tod Howarth's reworking of 707's "Megaforce", retitled "Calling to You" and given all new lyrics.

Even the songs that are a little "different" for Ace still work; "Stranger in a Strange Land" 's rhythm has some off-time drumming but still blows me away.

If you need a break from Yngwie, Steve, and Joe, look no further than this album for some great, diverse guitar rock.

This is a real good album. Into the Night is a greats song and should have been a hit. Ace's guitar work has gotten better on this album than his work with KISS. Ace kicks ...!!!

I bought this in 1989. I wore the tape out and had to purchase it again. It's not a KISS type of album. I found Rock Soldiers to be an honest account of Ace's down and out years. It is not a highly polished album as were some of the other releases at the time. The focus is on musical and lyrical content. Granted some of the lyrics are somewhat corny , but perfect for the era! BOTTOM LINE? A return to basics for the true rock fan!

For the song 'Rock Soldiers' by itself, the album (a concession to my age)is worth purchasing. The lyrics are spartan, but true to the rock n roll spirit. Which is how it should be. The result are lyrics that are honest, yet imperative with the adjoining hard beat. Ace rules!

...whether it was a good idea, I dunno: almost typical 80's rock that simply is too dated for anyone but extreme fans of 80s guitar-glam rock. BUT, you must respect ACE for being himself here (80s sound taken into account) and not following trends as much as his counterparts in KISS have done (I dont remember Ace and band wearing overly colorful clothes and doing the femm'ed out make-up thing). My main gripe though is this one track, CALLING TO YOU, sounds alot like the band 707's theme for the movie MEGAFORCE (scary...). All in all, a good 80s rock and roll album. Not the impact that his replacement's band (Vinnie Vincent's Invasion) had but also not as flashy (then again, that band ditched Vinnie and made millions as SLAUGHTER).