I review the 2024 Ace Frehley solo album, 10,000 Volts. Support the channel on Patreon: / seanblumenshine Follow me on Instagram: / sean_blumenshine #acefrehley #10000volts #kiss
I've listened to this album four times in total and I loved it then again I'm a huge Ace fan I don't mind the polished guitars and vocals like you said people have been using Pro Tools forever
7/10 album for me. Standout tracks: 10,000 Volts, Back Into My Arms Again, Fightin’ For Life, Up In The Sky. Least favourite tracks: Cherry Medicine, Constantly Cute, I do like the later more though.
I know its personal taste but, Ace's vocals are so auto-tuned that I found it distracting to listen to. Does anyone know why previous drummer Matt Starr is no longer with the group? He's one of the most solid rock drummers out there today. I can't help but think it was Matt's decision to leave.
I've been drumming for a long time, and I can't tell you how maddening it is to be the heartbeat, and the body isn't doing it's job. I would quit as well.
I cannot get enough of this album. To me it's easily Ace’s best record behind the 78 solo record. I want Ace and Steve to do so much more together. Its a great time to be an Ace fan.
It's a great f*cking album. Lots of hooks and catchy choruses. It's tight with pretty much zero filler. The production is the best I've heard on a Frehley or even KISS album. It's more than one would expect from a 72 year-old SpaceAce. Love it.👍
Its hard to convey my astonishment that Frehley using KISS's own marketing bravado about this release being as good (or better) than one of his iconic albums is somehow deemed a new thing or even something we should take literally. I have to ask you... Do you actually believe these statements coming from senior citizens wearing wigs whether its Paul or Ace? For Christ's sake, that's a ridiculous argument because the foundation of your reasoning is you believe at face value what these people say. Ace Frehley has always been, at best, an eclectic singer with a near speaking vocal that is more an acquired taste than anything most would deem commercial. its easy to understand why people would hate it as much as some love it. And even with that low bar, he struggles to meet that standard at this stage of his life. He has been, and will always be, known more for his playing style than anything he did vocally. But from a commercial standpoint he's the ONLY member of KISS to actually have a respectable solo career. So comparing Stanley or Simmons to him is moot since they have never garnered a fraction of the attention he gets. What did I think of the record? Its pretty much what I felt it could be at this stage. His vocals are measurably diminished (and assisted by the studio). But musically I felt it had a more disciplined approach. His guitar solos were measured and not drawn out, which to me felt more purposeful to the structure of each song. Even his instrumental stayed relatively short and on point to the melody selected. I'm glad he's still out there making music because I can at least listen to him play on some level, but I think he too is reaching a drop off point like his fellow band mates from KISS. All the bloviating in the world can not cover up the fact none of them have credible skills left to make a competitive product. And regardless of where they reside in music history, its hard to listen to these old men sing about wanting to bed girls like they should be taken serious today. Would you like for your grandfather to stand on stage wearing a wig and shake his rear like someone would find it appealing? If that makes you snicker, then it should for these guys too. We buy this stuff because we're all hanging around to see how the curtain closes on these personalities. Sadly I think most of these fellas will die on stage because they need the adulation and don't know what it means to retire gracefully. Props to Peter Criss for being the exception here. At this point the spectacle of how bad they can get is pretty much its own attraction now... sadly.
I agree with your assessment of old men in their 70s talking about bedding young women like we are supposed to take them seriously and rock out to the silly songs like it’s 1985. I also agree with you when it comes to your opinion about Ace’s voice. He basically mumbles his way live through his lyrics when he can remember them. It’s sad these guys feel the need to keep repeating themselves and not retire gracefully like you mentioned also. But I have to disagree with you about Paul Stanley’s solo albums. His original work on Soul Station and his ‘06 release “Live To Win” kicks total ass! It is more mature and listenable than any KISS album after “Psycho Circus” and shows Paul’s versatility in several different styles of music. I realize it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but comparing Ace’s new solo effort to Paul’s past solo albums is not fair at all because they have absolutely nothing in common at all except they are works by 2 former members of KISS.
@@donmurray8632 When I was comparing Ace to Paul or Gene, I was referring to his commercial success. What music you prefer will always be subjective so its not my place to suggest which one you should like. But in terms of public appeal, Ace Frehley has consistently beat Stanley and Simmons on charts and total sales from his solo work by a large margin. He's had a respectable career outside of KISS. Paul and Gene? Not so much. BTW I really like Live to Win by Stanley. Personally, I was disappointed it was not a hit record. I felt he put good work out there that could have been embraced. On a side note, you should do a video on the sale of their brand. That would make for a good conversation.
Can you consider reviewing Ace's "Other Side of the Coin" demo? You do a great job explaining the backstories of the songs, which is what would make it an interesting video, in addition to the song analysis itself. Thanks!
Paul Stanley "Soul Station" VS Ace Frehley "Origins" I'm going to go with origins. "10,000 Volts" I agree that the first half of the album isn't as good as the second half. It was refreshing to hear a good solid honest review. I also agree that Ace would do better having a lead singer on a few of these tunes. I also was let down after all the hype because I feel like it's a "Trixter" cover album. And I have always hated "Glam Metal" When I think of Ace Frehley songs, I think of songs like "Strange Ways" "Get Away" "Cold Gin" "Hard Times" "What's On Your Mind" I'm In Need Of Love" and when I think of him playing a song that someone else wrote, I think of the song "Into The Night" by Russ Ballard. Those are the songs that I picture a 73 year, old Ace Frehley capitalizing on. I love Steve Brown as a person. I believe he's a great guy but I hate his "Glam Metal" writing style. I feel he has something great within him but just hasn't created it yet, and this album isn't it for me. Steve if you're reading this please try to create something with balls and attitude. You have a great voice and you're a decent lead guitarist. Just write something that makes a stand. If you do that you'll knock an album out of the park. Peace.. Joe
What is “glam metal” to you? lol Glam is not a writing style musically, it was and still is a look and attitude. Hell, Ozzy and even Van Halen played music that could be categorized as “glam” This Ace album is not even Ace for the most part. That’s very evident. Ace is not a polished lead guitarist at 73 anymore. The leads are flawless and too complex for Ace to have played. It’s basically another boring album from Ace post KISS. I do agree with you about the killer Ace songs he wrote in KISS like “Strange Ways” “Getaway” “Hard Times” and “Parasite” His ‘78 solo album speaks for itself.
@@donmurray8632 Glam metal (also known as hair metal or pop metal) is a subgenre of heavy metal that features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat rock anthems, and slow power ballads. Like "Poison" Warrant" and "Cinderella" There was no Glam Metal with "Sabbath" or "Ozzy" until Randy Rhoads died. I hated Ozzy's music after the death of Randy Rhoads. I even hate "Bark At The Moon" album. "Van Halen" has never been "Glam Metal" The closest they ever came with DLR was the 1984' album, and that's the #1 reason he quit "Van Halen" "Van Hagar" was much closer to that "Glam Metal" sound but I still would have a hard time ever calling "Eddie Van Halen" Glam Metal. When "Judas Priest" started venturing into the Glam Metal scene I was done with them. "Defender's Of The Faith" sucked ass!" I really wasn't a huge fan of the "Turbo" album but there at least was a few good songs on it. As for Ace, I'm a huge fan of his 78' solo album but I hated Frehley's comet's lead vocalist with a passion. I only liked the Ace tunes, and even didn't like all of those tunes either. Sorry for making this reply so long. Take good care.. Peace Joe
Its interesting how 80's guys team up and make this stuff. Kelly Hansen now in Foreigner making music we think Foreigner would make without Lou Gramm and such. Personally i liked Hurricane better than any Foreigner stuff. I liked Trixter give it to me good was great. Ace needs people to help in write why he always needs a space theme not sure. I love when he did stuff like Talk to me and Save your love on Dynasty and Unmasked. I will buy this at some point to add to the collection. Good that you like old rock instead of like Slipknot.
@donmurray8632 Sorry it went over your head. Sum it up old bands continue on with different singers Ace frehley needs help writing tunes and Slipknot sucks. In a nutshell 😁
It's okay to me. 4 out of 10. Fightin' or life ROCKS! I always think it's funny when artists hype up their new release and play 1 song live....really? 4 of these songs could replace anything in his current setlist.
Steve Brown is a very talented guy. And Ace looks good on the resume, sure. But don't bag on him. Think about it for a second. If your subject is always late, can't play that great anymore, and is pretty much wet brained, what the hell is he supposed to do? A miracle?
It’s all about the Benjamins bro. They are just trying to cash in one more time on their old cliché, hooks and lyrics, stolen from their own bands. But hey, that’s cool if you like it. It just seems a little weird to me that a 72 year old guy who has a well documented history with drugs and alcohol is still writing songs about space and electricity. If I want to hear songs about voltage I will crank up some old AC/DC!
Steve Brown kind of reminds me of a kid in school taking Ace for show and tell, LOOK I'M WORKING WITH ACE! Best since Revenge?? Really??? Blinded is just terrible rubbish. Awful. Intriguing concept, the danger of technology, but poorly done. Constantly cute is like Disney pop to me. Like 16 year old Miley could sing it, but not Ace at 72. I really enjoy Cosmic Heart and Back in my arms again, probably my favorite cuts. Yes!!! Autotune is too much on Cherry Medicine, like robo-Ace or something on the chorus.
I feel like if Paul Stanley would release a solo album it would be better than this album. I mention that because Ace said "this album will embarrass Gene and Paul." I kinda like the song 10 000 Volts, it's sleezy fun. The rest of the songs though...
My problem with this album is that its simply does not feel like a new album! Ive heard the riffs and the "space lyrics" before, and if I compare it with Mick Mars album (released on the same day) it doesn't stand a chance. And Ace should really give up the lead vocals to someone else, at least on the main part of his albums.
Fighting for life is the only good track on the album. I think the rest of it is mediocre at best. It's overproduced, over compressed. The lyrics are filled with tired clichés. Ace is still playing the same licks as 30 years ago. This doesn't come anywhere near the fantastic 78 solo album or frehley's comet.
I have to say, I enjoyed Spaceman and Space Invader much more. Far more cohesive albums and hard rocking. For me there are two passable tracks on this album and the rest is light poppy filler. Ace doesn't need outside writers at all. He's much better on his own. The new album is mediocre at best.
Ace looks and sounds like aged care patients. Rocked hard on anomaly and gotten less hard on each originals album since. Album is okay but not memorable.
