Of the four Kiss solo albums released simultaneously in 1978, the best of the bunch is guitarist Ace Frehley's. Similar in approach to Paul Stanley's album, Frehley did not stray far from the expected heavy Kiss sound (like Gene Simmons and Peter Criss did with their releases), but Ace was equipped with better compositions than Stanley. With future Late Night with David Letterman drummer Anton Fig helping out (as well as Letterman bassist Will Lee on three tracks), Frehley proved once and for all that he was not simply a backup musician to Kiss head honchos Simmons and Stanley. All of the tracks are strong, such as the venomous opener, "Rip It Out," as well as a few tracks that confirm how Frehley was indulging in alcohol and drugs a bit too much by the late '70s ("Snow Blind," "Ozone," and "Wiped Out"). You'll also find many underrated compositions ("Speedin' Back to My Baby," "What's on Your Mind?," "I'm in Need of Love"), a gorgeous instrumental ("Fractured Mirror"), and the Top 20 hit single "New York Groove." Unfortunately, when Ace left Kiss in 1982 (eventually forming Frehley's Comet), he never came close to topping this solid and inspired 1978 solo outing. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Ace Frehley (Guitar (Acoustic)), Ace Frehley (Guitar), Ace Frehley (Guitar (Bass)), Ace Frehley (Guitar (Rhythm)), Ace Frehley (Vocals), Ace Frehley (Vocals (Background)), Ace Frehley (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Ace Frehley (Producer), Ace Frehley (Main Performer), Ace Frehley (Performer), Ace Frehley (Guitar Synth), Kiss (Main Performer), David Lasley (Vocals), David Lasley (Vocals (Background)), Dick Carlson (Assistant Producer), Susan Collins (Vocals), Susan Collins (Vocals (Background)), Anton Fig (Percussion), Anton Fig (Drums), John Harte (Production Coordination), Don Hunerberg (Assistant Engineer), Don Hunerberg (Assistant), Larry Kelly (Vocals), Larry Kelly (Vocals (Background)), Eddie Kramer (Producer), Eddie Kramer (Engineer), Will Lee (Bass), Bill Levenson (Remastering Supervisor), Bobby McAdams (Technician), Bobby McAdams (Guitar Technician), Joseph M. Palmaccio (Remastering), Bill Scheniman (Vocals), Bill Scheniman (Bells), Carl Tallarico (Drums), Mitchell Kanner (Redesign), Robert V. Conte (Liner Notes), Robert V. Conte (Consultant), Eraldo Carugati (Artwork), Eraldo Carugati (Paintings), Eraldo Carugati (Cover Painting), Howard Marks Advertising (Cover Design), Rob Freeman (Engineer), Eric Block (Assistant Engineer), Eric Block (Assistant)
"New York Groove" rose to #13 on the US Billboard chart[1], the highest showing for a Kiss single since "Beth" in 1976, until the song "I Was Made for Lovin' You" a year later (#11). The album itself reached #26 on the US Billboard album chart. It was certified Platinum on October 2, 1978, when it sold 1,000,000 copies.[2]
Two tracks from this album, "Rip It Out" and "Snow Blind", were covered by the Chemical People and Skin Yard respectfuly on Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation. The Foo Fighters released a cover of "Ozone" as a b-side to their "I'll Stick Around" single. The songs "Snowblind" and "Fractured Mirror" were also covered by Dimebag Darrell, who was a huge Ace Frehley fan, epitomized by having the Ace Freely album cover tatooed onto his chest.[3]
Personnel
Ace Frehley – Lead vocals, background vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, guitar synthesizer, bass guitar
