Ace Frehley – Anomaly (Deluxe edition)

album by:
Ace Frehley
Version:
CD
Price:
10.54

Reviewed by:
Rating:
3
On 12 September 2017
Last modified:12 September 2017

Summary:

I suspect of the people who own the original version, only hardcore fans will buy the new reissue. Of course if you haven't got the original album but are a fan of Ace Frehley and/or KISS then this reissue is definitely worth buying.

Ace Frehley’s fifth solo album, Anomaly, was released in 2009. It’s now being reissued. The album has been remastered for this reissue, and comes wth three bonus tracks. One of these has been released previously but not on CD (it was an itunes exclusive bonus track) while the other two bonus tracks are previously unreleased.

Anomaly was Ace Frehley’s first solo album for 20 years and marked a revival in his fortunes. The two previous albums hadnt done that well (“Second sighting” managed number 81 in the US charts while “Trouble walkin'” didn’t even make the top 100), but Anomaly went into the charts and reached number 27.

It’s a great album and definitely has plenty to appeal to KISS fans. Ace’s guitar playing is excellent and his vocals sound great too. It’s little surprise that the album did well commercially when it was released. The question is how well the re-issue will do.

It’s being reissued as a “deluxe edition”, but if you already own the original release then what it boils down to is whether the remastering makes much difference, and whether the bonus material is worth buying the album for. While the remastered version sounds great, I don’t think the difference between it and the original is enough to persuade anyone to buy the album again, so it really comes down to the bonus material.

There’s a different version of an album track plus two other songs. Yes it’s nice to have, but I suspect of the people who own the original version, only hardcore fans will buy the new reissue. Of course if you haven’t got the original album but are a fan of Ace Frehley and/or KISS then this reissue is definitely worth buying.

Anomaly (Deluxe edition) will be released on 6th October 2017 on Steamhammer/SPV

Track listing:

1. Foxy & Free
2. Outer space
3. Pain in the neck
4. Fox on the run
5. Genghis Khan
6. Too many faces
7. Change the world
8. Space bear (extended)
9. A little below the angels
10. Sister
11. It’s a great life
12. Fractured quantum

Deluxe bonus tracks
13. Hard for me
14. Pain in the neck (slower version)
15. The return of space bear

I suspect of the people who own the original version, only hardcore fans will buy the new reissue. Of course if you haven't got the original album but are a fan of Ace Frehley and/or KISS then this reissue is definitely worth buying.

About Ant May

I spend half my life at gigs or festivals and the other half writing the reviews and editing photos, and somehow find time for a full time job too. Who needs sleep - I've got coffee.