It’s been six years since Ace Frehley released a record of original music but he’s back and stronger than ever with 10,000 Volts.
The record opens with the title track, which was released as the lead single back in the Fall, showing Frehley shredding like only the original Spaceman can do. It’s a personal track that anyone can relate to who’s met that special somebody who gives you a jolt of romance and makes you feel that little bit special.
After second single, “Walkin’ on the Moon” keeps things going, “Cosmic Heart” follows it with the first standout track of the album. Frehley’s lower register on the vocals fit the pounding, brooding guitars and drums perfectly. It’s a catchy track with an even catchier chorus that really takes on a life of its own.
“Cherry Medicine” is a fun with an upbeat guitar riff that would have fit well in the 70’s and features some purely addicting instrumentals while “Fightin’ for Life” is one that you need to avoid while on the interstate.
It’s an adrenaline-rushing tune that finds its way into your bloodstream and beats your heart faster and faster. It might be the strongest song on the album.
“Blinded” has some of the most rock and roll guitars on the album but the subject matter of being blinded by science, technology and AI doesn’t really fit. However, the instrumentals and pure music aspect of the song makes up for it and forces you to really love the song while closer “Stratosphere” is the most complex and intricate song on the record. A solely instrumental track, Frehley really lets loose and leaves it all on the table and there are so many layers and pieces to digest, you can’t catch it all in one listen.
In the end, 10,000 Volts is Ace Frehley’s strongest solo effort yet, which says a lot. While he’s never been known for being a great vocalist, this record isn’t here to make you a believer of Ace as a singer- it’s a chance for him to showcase his guitar work and remind you why he’s one of the greatest axe-men of all time and he doesn’t hold back one iota.
This record has so many moments of guitar greatness- whether it’s “Up in the Sky,” which would have fit on his 1979 solo debut, “Constantly Cute,” the bluesy vibes of “Life of a Stranger,” or any of the other 11 songs, there’s not one moment where Ace doesn’t have ‘it.’ 10,000 Volts is Ace Frehley at his absolute best.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards