Album: SAXON – Crusader
Written By: Wes Haskins
Original Release Date: April 16, 1984
Original Label: EMI Records
The sixth studio album from the British Metal legends. The album was a slight departure in a few songs, with less NWOBHM and more of an almost American songwriting style on a few songs, which was surely pushed by the label. Honestly, it’s surprising to this day the album and band didn’t sell better in the US. It did peak at #18 in the UK and #174 in the US, but there is no information if it was certified in any territory. Special mention to the album cover, which is amazing, but it also makes you think it’s a concept album, but it’s not.
TRACK BY TRACK:
“The Crusader Prelude” is a short intro leading into the title track.
“Crusader” was written about the Crusades and from the point of view of a young kid watching the soldiers go off to war. Musically, it’s heavy and almost like an early Power Metal style, with a cool drum pattern and with the tie-in to the album cover, the song had to be influential to the subgenre later on.
“A Little Bit Of What You Fancy” is much lighter and just a fun song that has a catchy chorus. Not sure if specifically about anything, but it seems to be about enjoying certain better things in life.
“Sailing To America” is huge, melodic, and memorable. One of my favourite Saxon songs and one that is very much the new direction they were heading in and not the classic Saxon song style, but it’s just so great for me and should have been a hit in the US. Lyrically about the pilgrims leaving England and heading to a new world. I had an employee many years ago in the early 2000s that had the internet back when I didn’t know much about it and we’d talk bands and he made me a Saxon CD(r) of songs (have no idea where they came from) and this was on it so I played it a lot until I was able to buy all the CD reissues around 2008/2009 because you couldn’t find many Saxon CDs in stores in the 90s and early 2000s.
“Set Me Free” is a cover of The Sweet classic. While it’s a solid cover and absolutely a great song, it doesn’t really fit on the album and is just kind of a throwaway, but I’m assuming the thought was that it could get on the radio, but it didn’t.
“Just Let Me Rock” is standard Saxon about just wanting to rock. Nothing too deep lyrically, but it seems to be about keeping integrity from the record label and not selling out, but it is ironic that it was on an album where they were accused of selling out. Even with that said, I like this song; good groove and rocking song.
“Bad Boys(Like to Rock N Roll)” is just straightforward, ballsy rock n roll. Very old school Saxon. Good rocking song and backing vocals and solo. Seems to be about living life to the fullest and about the rebellious nature of metal bands and their fans.
“Do It All For You” is a power ballad and definitely new ground for Saxon and a stab at some commercial success. It is a good song though and one I’ve always enjoyed. It almost sounds like it could be off an early 80s Y&T album but just not as good. Lyrically it’s very basic and just about unconditional love and taking care of someone you love.
“Rock City” is just a fun Hard Rock anthem with a good chorus and just a classic Saxon type song. Lyrically seems to be about appreciation to the radio stations and DJs bringing the music to the masses. That was such a huge thing in the 80s that it’s sad it’s not a thing now. This song, along with “Just Let Me Rock“, could have been on Hard Rock radio at the time.
“Run For Your Lives” is a solid closing track. Good and upbeat but a little more melodic at the chorus. A very good album track and a song that I could hear going over well live. Nice memorable solo too. Lyrically seems to be about a terrible catastrophe, such as a house or building being on fire and everyone trying to escape or run for their lives.
Recap: a departure on several tracks and with the less raw production of Kevin Beamish, the band was definitely trying to soften itself for the American market and this was the first time the band showed cracks in their armour. While there were several songs that probably could have cracked that market, it sadly didn’t work at the time, but as previously mentioned, the title track and the album cover were very influential many years later and I’ll always stand up for “Sailing to America“. The only track that I don’t really care for is the cover; not that it’s not a good song, it just wasn’t necessary.
Favourite songs: “Crusader“, “A Little Bit of What You Fancy“, “Sailing to America“, “Just Let Me Rock“, “Rock City“, and “Bad Boys“.
Read more of Wes Haskins‘ Saxon reviews here as he surges through the entire discography: Author – Wes Haskins
