When I heard Graham Bonnet was going to be releasing an album under the Alcatrazz name, I didn’t know whether to get excited or think this was just a cash grab under a name that reminisces with fans of Yngwie and Steve Vai.
Born Innocent is Alcatrazz’s new album being released 7/31 via Silver Lining Music. Bonnet recruited guitarist Joe Stump for this album. Anyone familiar with Stump’s solo work knows it’s a fretboard frenzy of notes.
The immediate turn off to Born Innocent is the overuse of keyboards on each song. It takes the attention off Stumps guitar work as that’s what most people want to hear on an Alkatrazz album considering the alumni of guitarists. Graham should’ve left off the keyboards and left Jimmy Waldo completely off the album while he was at it.
I listened through this album a few times and nothing stuck out to me to say “Yes, this is a good album.” The mix to me seems sloppy. The keyboards drown out the rest of the band. With Chris Impellitteri contributing to Born Innocent, Steve Vai writing for “Dirty Like The City” and Stumps guitar work can’t save this record. Graham sounds pretty good but I would’ve sent this album back and fired Giles Lavery and Jimmy Waldo as producers and start over
If this was Graham’s final album, which I hope it isn’t, he needs to surround himself with A musicians for his final record. He should’ve had Vai or Impelltteri contribute more and lay off the keyboards.
Do you want to hear Bonnet at his finest? Listen to Impellitteri’s System X record! A grossly underrated album that was never released in the US but can be found online and CD Japan! Worth the $$.
ALCATRAZZ is:
Graham Bonnet – Vocals
Joe Stump – Guitars
Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards
Gary Shea – Bass
Mark Benquechea – Drums
Produced by Giles Lavery and Jimmy Waldo
Mixed, mastered and edited by Andy Haller
Follow Alcatrazz on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grahambonnetmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcatrazz_official/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGrahamBonnet
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2xIuSAc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2KoAaDs
Haven’t heard the whole album yet. But I agree on “System X” but that’s my third love after Bonnet’s work on Impelliterri’s “Stand In Line” proceeded by one of my favorite MSG albums, again underrated, “Assault Attack”! “You put me down, that’s what I said”