With a hit record on their hands, and brand recognition from roots in Kiss, one would think that Ace Frehley, and his band Frehley's Comet would head into their second album with great ease. One would also think with the previous writing credits of Frehley that another hit was inevitable. Sadly, none of this was the case, and the band's momentum quickly stalled out.
Second Sighting saw touring drummer, Billy Ward replaced by Jamie Oldaker. Howarth and Regan remaining in their respective roles of guitars / keyboards / co-lead singer, and bass / backing vocals, respectively.
The album would chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at eighty-one. However, singles, Insane, and It's Over Now, which also received music videos, would fail to chart. Further issues arose when the band set off on tour with Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper, only to run out of money, and have to back out. Depending on who you ask, this may or may not have been a result of the band not being paid. Regardless, the point was they didn't have any money to feasibly continue.
Things follow the standard format of Frehley's previous album, and tenure with Kiss. That being the rotating lead vocals from track to track between him and Howarth. What's lacking, however, is the spark and punch that its predecessor offered.
Overall, it's just not as good. Songs are rather forgettable, mediocre at best, and frankly, I found myself kind of bored with it. The standouts were fewer and farther between than their self-titled debut. For the Frehley vocals, you get Dancin' With Danger. For Howarth, Time Ain't Runnin' Out.
It turns out that my lackluster opinion of Second Sighting isn't alone. Overall sales began to decline rapidly for Frehley's Comet, so much to the point that Frehley would opt to restructure everything for his third solo album. This all started with dropping the band name and instead using his own for their next studio project, and unceremoniously ejecting Howarth off of co-vocals. These decisions would lead to members leaving. It would appear the biggest draws would come from a guest drummer, as well as a Kiss member penned track, but would these be enough to tip the scales back to favorable? I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I listen to 1989's Trouble Walkin'.
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