Innocence Is No Excuse [Import]

Saxon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 4, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Axeki
• ASIN: B00004DTLJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #418,334 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rockin' Again

2. Call Of The Wild

3. Back On The Streets

4. Devil Rides Out

5. Rock'N'Roll Gypsy

6. Broken Heroes

7. Gonna Shout

8. Everybody Up

9. Raise Some Hell

10. Give It Everything You've Got

11. Just Let Me Rock

12. Do It All For You

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of 1985 album from British metal act. Debut album for EMI features the singles 'Back on the Streets', 'Rock'n'Roll Gypsy' and 'Broken Heroes'. Slipcase edition includes two bonus tracks 'Just Let Me Rock' and 'Do It All For You'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Saxon in the melodic rock era, March 28, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Innocence Is No Excuse (Audio CD)

Finally we get to the late 80's Saxon albums - the ones many a Saxon fan wishes they'd never heard. The band was one of the breakout stars of the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, but by 1985 the band just wasn't the same hard-charging young "denim and leather" crew. Saxon's post-NWOBHM albums may have been more commercial and overly polished, but they still rocked.

Originally released in 1985, Innocence Is No Excuse was Saxon's seventh studio album. It's definitely more polished and melodic than previous Saxon releases, but some of the singles here (I'm thinking "Rockin' Again," "Back on the Streets" and "Rock n' Roll Gypsy") would have fit on albums like Crusader or Power & the Glory. You can tell the band was trying to capture some of the success Def Leppard enjoyed, with catchier songs and a production job by one of Mutt Lange's protégés, and I can see how metal fans would have a problem with that. I happen to love melodic rock so I found Innocence Is No Excuse quite enjoyable.

It's not as essential as their NWOBHM-era masterpieces Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law, but Innocence Is No Excuse is still a really good melodic hard rock album that shouldn't be overlooked. Open-minded Saxon fans should enjoy it, as should any fan of the 80's British melodic hard rock sound.

Edition Notes - EMI reissued Innocence Is No Excuse (along with Rock the Nations and Destiny) in 2010, completing their run of Saxon reissues (and that cool Saxon logo you see when you line the CDs up on your shelf!) Once again, the remastering is incredible. In addition to the digitally remastered sound, the reissue of Innocence Is No Excuse features expanded liner notes by Classic Rock's Malcolm Dome and seven bonus tracks. The bonus tracks include an alternate mix of "Back On the Streets," studio b-sides "Live Fast Die Young" and "Krakatoa," a 9-minute live medley, and three live songs from the era. Between the remastered sound, liner notes and bonus tracks, there are plenty of reasons to replace your old version of Innocence Is No Excuse.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't this band huge in the USA?, May 6, 2007

By 

Scott Hedegard "Scott" (Fayetteville, AR USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Innocence Is No Excuse (Audio CD)

Saxon are barely a footnote in the US despite their being a perennial favorite in Britain and Europe to this day. The band, like all metal bands who've been around a while has its weaker moments, and especially strong. "Innocence Is No Excuse" is one of the most powerful and best produced albums of the earlier days, and should have been a classic in league with "Back In Black", "British Steel" or "The Number Of The Beast". Instead, one can only find it as a special order import, but it's worth the search.

Saxon easily bridged the gap between loud rock n' roll ala AC/DC and all out metal, like its brethren Judas Priest or Iron Maiden. On "Innocence", the rock and roll face shines throughout with great loud duel guitar by Graham Oliver and mainstay Paul Quinn, impassioned vocals by Biff Byford and tunes that are mid-tempo and full of hooks that should have propelled these guys to headliner status.

Let's be glad, however, that Saxon's underground US audience and rabid European following have allowed them to stay in business and continue to release new material as tough and heavy as anything on the shelf. "The Inner Sanctum", the newest CD, is a fine addition to the catalogue. For those who miss the age of early '80's metal, that brief time before glam posuers from LA took over, and thrash was still in its diapers, "Innocence Is No Excuse" is a must have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innocence is No Excuse -- Pure Saxon Metal, September 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Innocence Is No Excuse (Audio CD)

Far and above their best album, and Steve Dawson's final one. Later albums don't have the same punch, although you've still got Biff belting out the tunes. This album simply rocks, with Devil Rides Out and Back On The Streets. Also shows their compasionate side with Broken Heroes, dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans. Saw these guys live in Oakland in late '85, and their live performance rivals that of anyone. This CD is a "must have" in your metal collection