Album Review: Ace Frehley - Origins Vol.2
Reviewed by Carl Black
“I know I can be lazy at times, but when I create…. its genius” A quote from the incredible, infamous, infuriating and genius that is, original KISS lead guitarist, Ace Frehley. Underneath the makeup, smoking guitars and controversy, everyone knows he can play and find his way around a rock 'n' roll classic. He has, afterall, played on his fair share.
What does a lazy genius do, write song after song and allow other bands and artists to record and tour your handy work while you count your coffers and stay out of the limelight? That doesn’t sound like our Space Ace now does it! So he’s gone the other way, he’s recorded a host of songs from artists that have inspired him, for the second time. This second covers album includes tracks from the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, Jimi and Mountain. Ace puts the Ace treatment on all of these tracks. He could undoubtedly play these songs in his sleep. He’s by no means mailed them in, they are all done with 100% effort and vigour. Some delicious soloing and the unmistakable riffs spill out of the speakers. Ace knows these chords like the back of his faithful picking hand.
Ace enrols some friends to do a guest spot. John 5 plays a solo but the stand out performance and the stand out track is Lita Ford on lead vocals during 'Jumping Jack Flash'. She rolls back the years like its 1988 and we are kissing her deadly.
Everyone has heard these songs a million times. Cover bands the world over have covered and will continue to cover this exact set of songs. But who would have liked to hear some new material?
Is this a genius album created by a lazy person, or is this a lazy person creating a genius album? I’ll let you decide.
