Ace Frehley Revisits Cosmic Roots with 20-Year Solo Album, ‘Anomaly’
Ace Frehley, former lead guitarist of Kiss and known for his “Spaceman” persona, released his first solo album in two decades, Anomaly, in 2024, embracing a space-themed narrative that harkens back to his iconic stage character. Teh album, featuring tracks like the instrumental “Space Bear” and the aptly named “Outer Space,” demonstrates Frehley’s continued guitar prowess and a playful return to the fantastical origins that defined his career.
While Anomaly primarily resonated with dedicated fans, its importance lies in reaffirming Frehley’s enduring musical talent and willingness to explore his creative identity. The album arrives decades after his influential work with Kiss-where his innovative guitar work helped propel the band to global stardom-and subsequent solo successes, including the formation of Frehley’s Comet. It serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on rock music and his unique contribution to the genre’s theatrical landscape.
Frehley’s interest with space is woven throughout his career. As “The Spaceman” in Kiss, he captivated audiences with his otherworldly stage presence and futuristic guitar sound. Following his departure from Kiss in 1982, Frehley continued to explore this theme in his solo work, notably with the band frehley’s Comet, which released the album Second Sighting in 1989.
On “Outer Space,” a standout track from Anomaly, Frehley sings, “It’s like I told you, I came from outer space. I want to take you away.” The song, and the album as a whole, showcases his signature guitar solos, with a notably notable break occurring just after the two-minute mark.Anomaly proves that Frehley remains a pioneering guitarist capable of delivering compelling and imaginative music.
