The Innocent Ones (Blue Tears album)

The Innocent Ones is the second studio album by the American melodic hard rock band Blue Tears. It was originally released in 1992 on MCA Records in Japan only. Following the band's 1990 self-titled debut, MCA chose not to release The Innocent Ones in the United States, citing concerns about the changing musical landscape and the declining popularity of hair metal.

The album features a similar melodic hard rock sound to their debut, with influences from bands such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. Notable tracks include "Now She's Gone," "Crush," and the title track, "The Innocent Ones." The album's production is generally considered slicker and more polished than their debut.

Because of its limited release in Japan, The Innocent Ones became a highly sought-after album by fans of Blue Tears and melodic rock in general. It eventually gained a cult following and was re-released on CD by various independent labels over the years, making it more accessible to a wider audience. The album is considered by many fans and critics to be a strong example of early 1990s melodic hard rock, even if it didn't achieve mainstream success at the time of its original release.

The lineup for The Innocent Ones largely remained the same as the debut album, featuring Gregg Fulkerson on vocals and guitar, Michael Spears on guitar, and Bryan Hurt on bass. Drummer Charlie McCoy was replaced by Jimmy Nicholls for this album.