Customer Reviews

Second Sighting/Live + 1

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

 

 

The OOP Megaforce Ace Frehley CDs sell for big bucks, and Wounded Bird Records has filled the gap with this re-issue of two Frehley classics on one CD.

The first thing I noticed when I popped in the CD was how loud it sounded compared to the old Megaforce releases. I loaded the songs into edit software and found that the waveforms show that compression or peak level limiting has been applied when compared to the Megaforce releases. The re-release is not brickwalled and unlistenable like so many new CDs these days, but I prefer the full dynamic range of the original releases.

Don't expect much in the way of artwork. It is a simple bi-fold sleeve. You will need a magnifying glass to see it properly!

If you stumble across the original Megaforce copies of these titles, grab them! Otherwise, this version will do fine, and the audio levels match contemporary CD releases.

Why three stars instead of five? I deducted one star because of the audio compression, and another because of the skimpy artwork.

For the longest time Second Sighting was the only Ace Frehley album I needed to complete my collection of his studio albums, however, I didn't want to pay through the nose for one of the rare second hand copies out there. This repackaged version, complete with Live+1 as an added bonus, was an answered prayer for me. If you're like me and want to complete your Ace Frehley collection without paying an arm and a leg for a used copy this is the only way you can go.

As for the quality of the album, I would say it's probably the weakest of his solo albums, but not by a whole lot. There are a few really good tracks on the album, Insane, Dancin' With Danger, Juvenile Delinquent, and Seperate are among my favorite songs on the album, but there are a few that I felt were pretty weak (coincidentally they were all sung by Howarth...). Overall, I really dig the album because it is an Ace album, I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone unfamiliar with his other work. I give Second Sighting as a whole a 6/10.

As for Live+1, I really can't believe this was sold as an album by itself. I mean, it's five songs, only four of them being actually live. Who would pay for at best a quarter of a live show? However, it works really well as a bonus add on. The live energy is really apparent and the songs chosen really rock. From the shift from Rip It Out to Breakout to the end of Rocket Ride, it's Ace in his element: Rockin faces. The +1 song, Words Are Not Enough, is also a really quality song by itself. I give Live+1 as a whole a 8/10.

I give the combo pair a solid 8/10 for the ability to finally finish out my Ace collection as well as the overall quality of Ace rocking.

Frehley's Comets first CD was incredible and this second one is a really great follow up because the band rocks hard. The new drummer Jamie Oldaker is a great Anton Fig replacement because he rocks on tracks like Insane and Juvenile Delinquent so pick this one up.

I am a huge KISS fan and therefore an Ace fan as well. I loved his first post-KISS album and have enjoyed several songs he has done after that but found his albums since that one to be as much miss as hit. These two are prime examples. The live one is typical sloppy Ace... not that it is bad, that is his thing. But the recordings are nothing special. The only thing worth getting on this, imo, is the song Words Are Not Enough just for the completeness factor. Now, Second Sighting, to me... was NOT at all a good album. I think the Ace songs are really lame (especially Insane). So, I am not saying do not buy it... but DEFINITELY preview... because the work is nowhere near as good as the first Frehley's Comet (which is a classic) nor his classic phenominal KISS solo album. I personally would only say to buy the instrumental (I forget which one is on here) and then the AMAZING song It's Over Now... which REALLY was by far the best song on this album. It is a ballad, but man, it is such a great song. Tod Howarth really did all the best work on this album... it was not held up by Ace. I think most people who really have tracked Ace through the years realize he does his best when he takes time between releases... it helps him write enough stuff to be able to release the better things and let the lesser things fall away. This album represented Ace rushed for a second release and that tends to mean his work falls flat compared to his better work... too much filler. Obviously, if you are KISS or Ace diehard none of this matters and you need this CD if you do not already have it... but if you are thinking of just taking a chance on it... I am warning that you might be a little disappointed because too many of the songs on the album are barely bside worthy. As for the live... its not the greatest live recordings ever... so if you want to hear them, mp3s would be wise because pristine sound is not really an issue.

Ace has always benn my hero! He was always my favorite in KISS. When he was no longer in KISS i wasn't sure where he would end up. Low and behold here he is with his 2nd album with new band (at that time) "Frehley's Comet". I like this one better than the debut album. Live songs are a "plus" too. Favorite tracks are "Insane", "Loser in a Fight" with a great vocalist named "Todd Howarth
". Ace's playing is some of the best (at that time) since his 1978 KISS solo album which has always been the "best ever" in my opinion. The "live" version of "Rip it out" is just as good. If you are a "true" Ace fan, i highly recomend this album. If you don't have it "GET IT"!!!!!

You don't have to pay high prices for a used copy of Ace's Second Sighting anymore! COOL! This was the final Frehley solo album I needed to complete my collection, and I waited a long time for it to be reissued. I love Ace's songs on here but not the ones he doesn't do lead vocals for. I buy an Ace album for him not to hear the other guy sing lead. This is my least favorite Frehley - get Trouble Walkin, Anomoly, and Comet first. I already had Live + 1 but if you don't have that one this is worth the price just for those tracks alone.