Ace Frehley - Frehley's Comet (CD)

All Music Guide

When Ace Frehely left Kiss in 1982 after the release of their 'Creatures of the Night' album (which he didn't even play on), the main reason for his departure was so he could pursue a solo career. Nobody could have predicted that it would take Frehely 5 long years to issue his first solo album outside of Kiss, 1987's 'Frehely's Comet.' Frehely's 1978 Kiss solo album was perhaps the best of the bunch, spawning the top-20 hit single "New York Groove," and containing numerous guitar-fueled, heavy metal highlights. Again regrouped with producer Eddie Kramer, 'Frehely's Comet' is slightly disappointing - while several tracks are reminiscent of the Ace of old (the autobiographical "Rock Soldiers," the instrumental "Fractured Too," and "Breakout," the latter co-written with Kiss' Eric Carr), it lacks the fire power of his '78 solo debut. Keyboard-sweetened pop metal reigned supreme in '87 (Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, etc.), and like his former band, Ace was often swayed into replicating the then-f...lourishing sound, as evidenced by such tracks as "Into the Night" (written by "New York Groove" composer Russ Ballard), " "Calling To You," and "Dolls." Rhythm guitarist Todd Howarth lends a hand with songwriting and vocals, while 'Late Night with David Letterman' drummer Anton Fig handled percussion. 'Frehely's Comet' was just as good (perhaps even better) than Kiss albums from the same era "Asylum, " "Crazy Nights, " but is a letdown when compared to 78's far superior 'Ace Frehely.' - Greg Prato, All Music Guide Read more Less