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Rating:
Biff is indisputable and all the works of Saxon hold significant importance in the Metal scene. I know that many fans of this band from York County stop after the release of the early albums that made the history of NWOBHM. Not me. For me, it is a pleasure to review Saxon and this first album under EMI contract. We fill the void of “Innocence Is No Excuse”, innocence is no excuse and cover girl eating an apple with the band's logo (this cover, by the way, is part of the list of the ugliest metal album covers along with Spaghetti Incident by Guns).
Dated 1985, it caused quite a stir because the raw sounds of early Saxon had softened, giving way to a much more contemporary sound. Let's call it AOR or Def Leppard Oriented, distancing from classic Metal. Let's remember that the first 2 albums by Metallica had already been released and Slayer had thrown “Hell Awaits” to the headbangers. The entire Metal movement was shifting towards the more aggressive sounds of the new bands, and the space left vacant was being filled by rockers who were starting to understand Heavy Metal late. Thus, the specialized critics had dismantled it. However, this is a commendable work for the amount of beautiful and simple songs. Listening to Mr. Byford's voice is a pleasure. It's him, it's always him. With that grit he’s had since the beginning. The band's sound is the best you could hear at that time. Mixing with great care dedicated to the search for drum effects. Bass drum and snare with that sound peak that all bass players would want to make their instrument stand out.
Saxon had changed. In music, you have to change; you can't always redo the same chord progression to satisfy fans. Even if change does not mean improvement. It simply means giving room to new ideas. Change means taking a new path, and this is a CD pleasantly listened to until the end because the Biff Family is a guarantee, never predictable and never trivial. The standout tracks are Call of the Wild, Back on the Streets, and Broken Heroes. If I have to point out a negative aspect, I would have avoided some perhaps overly orchestral choirs that the American market wanted for a more radio-friendly sound.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Call of the Wild (04:03)
You're waiting for the night
Keeping out of sight
Standing on the street for kicks
Looking for a thrill
You know you're dressed to kill
Turning all the young boys on
Treat them all the same, life is just a game
Breaking every heart around
She's really got it made
Driving me insane
But you're running out of time
It's the call of the wild (*)
Creatures of the night
It's the call of the wild
Calling you tonight
Take it on the run, life is just for fun
Trying everything in sight
Living fast and wild
You're a restless child
Running with the night
Running with desire, fighting fire with fire
No-one's gonna put you out
Run with the pack, never lookin' back
Only the strong will survive
(Repeat *)
06 Broken Heroes (05:28)
They came to fight for glory in their thousands
Young men with their dreams
They died before the guns for their country
A book of faded pictures broken dreams
Where are they now (*)
Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
The broken heroes
Uncle Sam is waiting with the draft card
He says you've got to fight the Vietcong
The stations full of flags and rule Britannia
The engine pulls you out towards the Somme
(Repeat *)
The pipes are calling young men back to Belfast
The general says you march to Stalingrad
You rode into the valley with the hundred
Seven lonely graves on Goose Green
(Repeat *)
08 Everybody Up (03:28)
On your feet, I wanna see the whole place jumpin'
C'mon baby, can you feel the heat
Move up close, the boys are out to get ya
We don't care just what you got in mind
Said everybody up, everybody up (*)
Everybody up, everybody up
Stand in line, we're about to rock you
We all know what you came here for
Stamp your feet, this place is really rockin'
Rip it off, I wanna see some move
(Repeat *)
Up all night, we've been getting crazy
Going down, 'till you're satisfied
Raise your hands, shout and let me know
I wanna see you waisted from the show
(Repeat *)
10 Give It Everything You've Got (03:44)
Just another kid waiting for a break is just bad news
Everybody's working 9 to 5, you got to pay your dues
Listen to your heart, don't let them take away your time
Forget about tomorrow, stop waiting for a sign
Give it everything, give it everything you've got
Give it everything, give it everything you've got
Can you hear the whistle blowin' in the night somewhere down the line
Calling out your name baby, leave your blues behind
If you wanna take a change, step right up and ring the bell
Let me see your best shot, only time will tell
(Repeat *)
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