Alcatrazz – ‘Born Innocent’ [Album Review]

Possibly the best Alcatrazz of all time? Bite your tongue; you need to look into who cowrote this album before passing judgment. Chris Impellitteri, Bob Kulick (RIP), and Steve Vai. You’re never going to out-Yngwie, Yngwie, but it’s a close runner up when it comes to Born Innocent.

This album sounds like the best of classic Alcatrazz combined with a fresh outlook, and Graham is giving the people what they want. There are elements of Malmsteen, Vai, and Ritchie Blackmore provided by a backing conglomeration boasting a who’s who of metal royalty. If you want to believe in and stand up for wounded soldiers (or musicians in this case), “The Wound Is Open” highlights demons that have been called out, while “Paper Flags” showcases that the audience is listening and not worthy. Victoriously ending with “Warth Lane” and “For Tony,” we get a small glimpse into Bonnet’s softer side with resolution in an almost Beatles-esque conclusion to an almost-perfect album.

There are no perfect tens to any human, band, or song. It’s all based on where you are within yourself at the time of judgment. There’s still magic in there, but it’s up to the leader of the pack to carry forward with stealth. Graham and his entourage have pulled out all the stops on this being the last call for alcohol, but let’s hope this isn’t the final resting home for Alcatrazz. Clearly, as evidenced by this release, the guy has miles to travel if he can just keep his shit together and escape his own personal prison.

Born Innocent Track Listing:

1. Born Innocent
2. Polar Bear
3. Finn McCool
4. We Still Remember
5. London 1666
6. Dirty Like The City
7. I Am The King
8. Something That I Am Missing
9. Paper Flags
10. The Wound Is Open
11. Body Beautiful
12. Warth Lane

Run Time: 55:17
Release Date: July 31, 2020
Record Label: Silver Lining Music