Thin Lizzy are a
band I primarily know of because of their famous "Boys are back in
Town", which can be found on every compilation aimed at the
"50-year-old-men-who-love-Top-Gear" demographic. The band are
regarded as being one of the key founders of heavy rock, and stuck to a
successful formula throughout their career. However, they were also politically
aware, with the group always containing at least one Catholic and one
Protestant member at any time, as well as members from both Northern Ireland
and the Republic of Ireland.
Whilst this album is
only live in the loosest sense of the word (allegedly only the original drums
are used from concerts), it does convey a real sense of energy and chaotic fun
that the band were famed for at the time. Lead singer Phil Lynott is obviously
a compelling showman, and, a couple of lewd comments aside, captures the mood
perfectly. This album is something of a best of for the band, as it captures
all of their best selling songs to that point, including The Rocker, Cowboy
Song and Dancin' in the Moonlight.
Jailbreak kicks
things off with a classic riff-filled number, with a great, teasing bridge that
ascends into a cracking guitar solo. It is the sort of song that you don't even
need to like to know that you would enjoy at a concert - it just carries everything
along. Emerald sounds like a variation on a classic Irish folk number, complete
with dual guitar arpeggios. Southbound is a slower number, that rolls along
inoffensively enough, with nice backing vocals on the chorus. Rosalie is a
cover of a Bob Seger song, and is not the strongest from that individual's
impressive back catalogue, in my opinion. Dancin' in the Moonlight, on the other hand, is an
absolute cracker, that has stayed in my head for most of the week for all the
right reasons. A catchy riff, a singalong chorus, and some squelchy sax make
this the standout for me. Massacre is like a slightly less intense
Lightning-era Metallica, in a good way. Still in Love with You drags a bit for
my liking, with the chorus just a little bit too artificially bittersweet.
Jonny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed is just a bit bizarre, and is a bit of a
live filler to give fans the chance to get another drink in, I suspect. Cowboy
Song is also a bit mediocre, although it segues into a cracking live version of
the Boys are back in Town, which is impossible not to listen to sans smile. It
is the only song on the album I knew before, and I still enjoy it now, having
heard it countless times, although I've always been of the opinion that Jonny
probably deserved the slap he received. Don't believe a Word is a juggernaut of
a song, which has a chugging riff that must have been covered by a hundred
garage rock bands. Warriors is a song that would have been a decent
instrumental, but is tarnished by a meandering vocal delivery. Suicide tells a
compelling story, although I'm not sure the upbeat tone of the guitar is quite
right for the content of the song. The Rocker ends things off as they began,
with a guitar driven fatty slice of heaviness, although without the subtlety of
the opener.
This album was very
enjoyable, although a bit shallow. It would be great to belt out whilst driving
along on a long monotonous journey, and I'm glad I now know more of this
influential band's repertoire. It would be a step too far, however, to say that
this has re-energised my slightly fading love of cheesy heavy rock.
Chloe's rating: 6
Chloe's favourite
track: 4. Rosalie (Cowgirl's song)
Olly's rating: 7
Olly's favourite
track: 5. Dancin' in the Moonlight
As we enter our
second year of the project, we have the delights of 860. Apocalypse Dudes by
Turbonegro, which is probably not going to be nu-soul.
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