Denim and Leather [Import]

Saxon

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Disky Records
• ASIN: B000005RNQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,042 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Princess of the Night

2. Never Surrender

3. Out of Control

4. Rough and Ready

5. Play It Loud

6. And the Bands Played On

7. Midnight Rider

8. Fire in the Sky

9. Denim and Leather

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Mid-priced 1996 reissue on EMI of the veteran British metal icon's fourth album, first released for the label in 1981. Nine tracks, including 'Princess Of The Night', 'Never Surrender', 'Play It Loud' and 'Fire In The Sky'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Saxon - one of their best, May 2, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Massillon,Ohio) - See all my reviews

On "Denim and Leather", Saxon clearly demonstrates why they are one of heavy metal's guiding lights. While lesser bands mindlessly put riffs together, Saxon has a firm grasp of the elements that go into writing good songs. On several tracks, like "Denim and Leather", "Princess of the Night", as well as "And the Bands Played On", Saxon reveals a penchant for strong hooks, anthemic choruses, and soaring thematic guitar structures. This is the album that brought Saxon to the forefront of the early 80's metal scene and established them as a emerging power. This album is a classic representation of the early stages of Saxon's career and should be a part of your collection. Play it loud!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Where were you in '79 when the dam began to burst?", January 3, 2005

By	mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Well, I was 5 in '79 but, later, when I first heard this 1981 release by Saxon, I understood why they hit it big and are still going strong (yet underrated). Saxon was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that was unleashed on the world in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Formed in 1977, Saxon--as is announced in the track "Denim and Leather"--burst on the scene in 1979 while on tour with Motorhead. Denim and Leather was their 4th album in just three years of putting out studio releases. It starts with "Princess of the Night," an interesting and charming track about an old, obsolete steam locomotive that brought fond memories to one young admirer: "She used to be an iron horse, 20 years ago." It sounds like early Iron Maiden (another of the Brit Metal New Wavers). Although this track and others on here resemble the style of Paul Di'Anno era-Maiden, vocalist Biff Byford sounds so much like Bruce Dickinson on this first track, it's scary! "Princess..." is my favorite song on this album followed by "Out of Control" with its catchy guitar hooks.

The rest of the album has a blue collar hard rock sound. Fans of early AC/DC and early '80s Judas Priest will like Saxon's rawness and aggression. The title track is an anthem to rock 'n roll that would fit nicely on any AC/DC album of that time. "Play It Loud" is another AC/DC-esque anthem. Saxon may have sounded blue collar, but they also paid attention to details. "Rough and Ready" has some nice vocal harmonizing. "Midnight Rider" is another favorite of mine. It reminds me of the catchy tracks off Judas Priest's Stained Class. There is nothing weak here; every track kicks! Recommended to fans of early 1980s metal during a time when metal was about to be accepted as cool by the record-buying public and well before pop metal bands began to swarm on the music world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT !!, October 22, 1999

By	M. D. Fonseca "carmarthen" (Thunder) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Energetic, creative, metal coming from the heart!!! This CD by Saxon reveals with details what was the NWOBHM in the 80's. THis CD has Saxon playing powerful, but simple and rocking, songs, with drummer Pete Gill playing amazingly, Biff singing all his chords, the guitar duo of Oliver and Quinn not so good on solos, but amazing on riffs and bass player S. Dawnson delivering a good rhythm section. "Princess of the Night" is an ultimate classic!