Let’s face it, the fact that Ace Frehley was still alive in 1989 was somewhat of a pleasant surprise to all. Allegedly, the former KISS guitarist had used his body as a hazardous waste dump for years. But here he was at the end of the decade releasing his third post-KISS full length album. And the album does not disappoint. The KISS grease paint was long gone, but Ace, ever the showman, decided to don a scary rubber Halloween mask on the cover of Trouble Walkin’. What an entertainer! (This just in: I am now being told that is Ace’s actual face. My apologies.)
In true Ace fashion, Trouble Walkin’ rocks in traditional hard rock style. Ace covered Do Ya by Electric Light Orchestra, and delivered his own version of Hide Your Heart, a tune co-written by Paul Stanley, Desmond Child and Holly Knight. KISS, Molly Hatchet, Bonnie Tyler, and Robin Beck also recorded Hide Your Heart in the eighties. I think Ace’s version of the song is easily the best of the lot, with Robin Beck’s take coming in at a close second — just kidding, I don’t even know who the f*ck Robin Beck is! Other highlights of the solid Trouble Walkin’ album include 2 Young 2 Die (featuring guitarist Richie Scarlet on vocals) and the bluesy Remember Me. My score: B
HA!! made me laugh twice in one review.