This is Alcatrazz’s fourth studio album for Graham Bonnet’s brainchild and their first after a staggering thirty-four year hiatus from the studio.
Written by: Dave T
ARTIST: Alcatrazz
ALBUM: Born Innocent
LABEL: Silver Lining Music
SERIAL: SLM101P01
YEAR: 2020
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Graham Bonnet – lead vocals * Joe Stump – guitars * Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, backing vocals, production * Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals * Mark Benquechea – drums
Additional Musicians: Don Van Stavern, Andy Haller – bass * Chris Impellitteri, Dario Molloy, Bob Kulick, Nozomo Wakai, D Kendall Jones, Jeff Waters – guitars * Steve Mann – brass *JoAnn Waldo – backing vocals (#6) * Giles Lavery – vocal melodies
TRACK LISTING: 01 Born Innocent * 02 Polar Bear * 03 Finn McCool * 04 We Still Remember * 05 London 1666 * 06 Dirty Like The City * 07 I Am The King * 08 Something That I Am Missing * 09 Paper Flags * 10 The Wound Is Open * 11 Body Beautiful * 12 Warth Lane * 13 For Tony
RATING: 70/100
Background
This is Alcatrazz’s fourth studio album for Graham Bonnet’s brainchild and their first after a staggering thirty-four year hiatus from the studio.
With original bassist and keyboardist Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo respectively (both of New England fame) and resident shredder guitarist Joe Stump on board, a list of illustrious guests grace the recording, namely Chris Impelliteri, Nozomu Wakai, the late Bob Kulick, Dario Mollo, Don Van Stavern, Jeff Waters, D. Kendall Jones and one Steve Vai who wrote the song ‘Dirty Like The City’, though he does not play.
Most of the songs are metal in essence, with Bonnet’s pipes (an acquired taste for some) in fine form. Few privileged ones can keep this stamina at 72 years old.
The Songs
The frantic neoclassical metal of the title track ‘Born Innocent’, the power metal of the first single ‘Polar Bear’ and the hints at Euro power metal of ‘Finn McCool’ are nothing short of energizing and superb. ‘London 1666’ and its dynamic riff is also remarkable.
It is true that the album drops in quality for its second half with inferior songs like ‘The Wound Is Open’ and the lengthy ‘Warth Lane’. However, the fast-paced ‘Paper Flags’ and the emotional Beatles-inspired ‘For Tony’ are satisfying.
In Summary
A fine return for Alcatrazz that once included guitar heroes Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai successively in their lineup. With this lineup it is hoped we’ll hear more from these guys in future.
Video
Born Innocent
Polar Bear
[Gdazegod] Wasn’t overly sold on the new Alcatrazz. I found the sound to be little raw for my liking.