Episode 9: Young Saints - Young Saints (1991)

The Young Saints remains a band that was given a lot of support from their label Polydor and remains as a group that was very successful for a 1991 AOR release. From Newfoundland and Labrador; the band relocated and started their beginnings featured on the Homegrown IV Vancouver album in 1990, the band was able to work with renowned producer/musician Corky Laing (Mountain, Mahogany Rush, Bo Diddley, Men Without Hats) and Studio Engineer Mike Scott (Men Without Hats, Ian Hunter, Peter Frampton, Export, Hall & Oates, Pretty Maids, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey). The overall product is well put together with good memorable pop rock songs and and some slower ballads. The song "Weight Of The World" peaked at number 38 on the Canadian RPM chart in 1991, from June 15 to Aug 24 1990. The single also went to #6 on the CANCON singles chart and the album peaked at #60 in July 1991. The album was a top 50 Canadian best seller in 1991, peaking at number 40/50 of top CANCON albums. The song Live for today which had an accompanying music video peaked at #85 from Oct 12 1991 to November 23 1991. While these tracks are very well put together no ballads charted or were seemingly attemped by management. The song "Over and Over" in my mind would of been a hit song if the record company thought the AOR market was viable in 1992 or early when the album was released in 1991. It is possible if this album was released one year earlier it could of been an even greater commercial success. While this album is not on spotify or itunes, you can purchase the CD on ebay or discogs, or listen to any tracks on youtube including the music video. The band in 1992 was nominated for a Juno award for "Best New Group". Regardless its a good AOR album that you should definitely check out! Sounds like a mixture of Rush, Haywire, INXS, Regatta and the Screaming Jets - a mixture of alternative and AOR.