The Innocents (album)
The Innocents | ||||
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Studio album by Erasure | ||||
Released |
18 April 1988 26 October 2009 - "21st Anniversary Edition" | |||
Recorded | 1987-1988 | |||
Genre | Synthpop | |||
Length | 51:45 | |||
Label |
Mute Records - Stumm 55 Sire Records | |||
Producer | Stephen Hague, Dave Jacob, Erasure | |||
Erasure chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Innocents | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
After releasing The Two Ring Circus (a remix album) in 1987, The Innocents was the third proper studio release from Erasure, released in 1988. Produced by Stephen Hague and released by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S., it was the release that made Erasure superstars in their home country and gave them their long-awaited breakthrough in the U.S.
The Innocents became the first in a string of number one albums by Erasure in the UK, turning double platinum with sales over 600,000. Thanks to heavy exposure on MTV, it also spawned two major Billboard Hot 100 hits, a Top 50 placing on the Billboard 200 and Platinum album certification in the U.S. According To Nielsen SoundScan, 23 years after its release the album has sold a total of 5 million copies worldwide. It is their best selling album to date.
The album was remastered and re-released on 26 October 2009 to celebrate its 21st anniversary. Prefaced by an EP of remixes led by album track "Phantom Bride," the 21st Anniversary Edition came in a couple of flavours including a limited edition two CD / DVD set, packed inside a CD-sized 20-page hardback book that includes interviews with Vince Clarke and Andy Bell about the making of the record and their thoughts on all the tracks.
The second CD includes various rarities, including the 7″ version of the duo’s take on "River Deep, Mountain High" and US-specific remixes of "Chains of Love" and "A Little Respect" that weren’t released in the UK singles box set.
Track listing
All tracks written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, unless otherwise noted.
Standard edition
- "A Little Respect" - 3:32
- "Ship of Fools" - 4:01
- "Phantom Bride" - 3:32
- "Chains of Love" - 3:45
- "Hallowed Ground" - 4:05
- "Sixty-Five Thousand" - 3:23
- "Heart of Stone" - 3:20
- "Yahoo!" - 3:48
- "Imagination" - 3:28
- "Witch in the Ditch" - 3:45
- "Weight of the World" - 3:40
- "When I Needed You" (Melancholic Mix) - 4:22
- "River Deep, Mountain High" (Private Dance Mix) (Barry, Greenwich, Spector) - 7:00
21st Anniversary Edition
CD One
same as above
CD Two
- "Ship Of Fools" (Shiver Me Timbers Mix)
- "When I Needed You"
- "River Deep Mountain High" (7" Version)
- "Chains Of Love" (The Unfettered Mix)
- "Don’t Suppose" (Country Joe Mix)
- "The Good The Bad and the Ugly" (The Dangerous Remix)
- "A Little Respect" (12" House Mix)
- "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor" (Mark Freegard Mix))
- "Love Is Colder Than Death"
- "Phantom Bride" (BBC 'In Concert' live recording)
- "Heart Of Stone" (BBC 'In Concert' live recording)
- "Hallowed Ground" (BBC 'In Concert' live recording)
- "Witch In The Ditch" (BBC 'In Concert' live recording)
DVD
The Innocents Live – NEC Birmingham 15/11/88
- "Chains Of Love"
- "A Little Respect"
- "The Circus"
- "The Hardest Part"
- "Push Me Shove Me"
- "Spiralling"
- "Hallowed Ground"
- "Oh L’Amour"
- "Who Needs Love Like That"
- "Stop!"
- "Victim Of Love"
- "Ship Of Fools"
- "Knocking On Your Door"
- "Sometimes"
- "Witch In The Ditch" (previously unreleased)
- "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" (previously unreleased)
The Innocents At The BBC
- "Ship Of Fools" – Going Live!
- "A Little Respect" – Top Of The Pops
- "The Innocents Live" (BBC 35-minute TV Special - First Broadcast 12 December 1988)
The Innocents - Promotional Videos
- "Ship Of Fools"
- "Chains Of Love"
- "A Little Respect"
The Innocents Live - Downloads
- MP3 files of The Innocents Live
Chart performance
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
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Canadian Albums Chart[2][3] | 54 |
German Albums Chart[4] | 8 |
New Zealand Albums Chart[5] | 50 |
Norwegian Albums Chart[6] | 18 |
Swedish Albums Chart[7] | 13 |
Swiss Albums Chart[8] | 15 |
UK Albums Chart[9] | 1 |
US Billboard 200[10] | 49 |
References
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ "charts.de". charts.de. 15 November 1988. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Erasure - The Innocents". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Erasure - The Innocents". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Erasure - The Innocents". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Erasure - The Innocents". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ "The Official Charts Company - The Innocents by Erasure Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
- ↑ Erasure. "Erasure - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
Preceded by Seventh Son of a Seventh Son by Iron Maiden Now That's What I Call Music XIII by Various Artists |
UK number one album 30 April 1988 – 6 May 1988 14 January 1989 – 20 January 1989 |
Succeeded by Tango in the Night by Fleetwood Mac The Legendary Roy Orbison by Roy Orbison |