Jailbreak

by

Thin Lizzy

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It took far too long for Thin Lizzy to step up to the plate with a major performance like this. They had flirted with good albums for years, but everything finally came together. As far as the review saying this was typical 80's metal, then this must be great, because it was the mid 70's. Just goes to show they were a band well ahead of their time!

The great lyrics, driving bass, Lynott's crooning, the double edged guitar attack that would become a trademark, and the pounding rhythms of Brian Downey's drums create a masterpiece! I can't even begin to tell you there are any songs you'd have to wade through to get to something good. These are all Lizzy killers! My favorites are "Warriors" and "Emerald", where the group shows they can play swords and sorcery with the best of them. The variety of most Lizzy albums is present even here with the slower "Romeo and the Lonely Girl" and "Running Back". Strong rockers are the three everyone knows, "Jailbreak", "the Cowboy Song", and "the Boys Are Back In Town".

Maybe it's just reliving great times from high school or one of the hottest tours I've seen with Robin Trower, but JAILBREAK is one of those lifetime achievements few bands, no matter how good, ever accomplish. Definitely a 100 all-time best CD!

Jailbreak was the album that broke Thin Lizzy in America. Most of us recall the first single from that album "The Boys Are Back In Town". I have often wondered why they didn't achieve a higher level of success, and with the untimely death of frontman Phil Lynott, we will never know if they could have become as famous as, oh, lets say Aerosmith - another band with twin lead guitarists.

Standout tracks on this album are the title track, "Jailbreak" (great guitar work on this one and a nice riff as well), "Warriors" (a blistering guitar solo in the middle that will make your ears bleed), the afore mentioned first single "The Boys Are Back In Town" (great hook in the chorus), and "Emerald" (an Irish war chant?? listen to those pounding drums). There are also several tracks that just don't seem to fit with the concept of this album. "Angel From The Coast", "Running Back", and "Romeo And The Lonely Girl", all seem to be in the vein of a torch song - lonely hearts and lost loves. What does that have to do with the concept of interstellar freedom fighters, but then perhaps the concept here was more in the minds of the record company executives than those of the band. "Cowboy Song" is another stand out track with good guitar work and a chance for Phil to stretch his singing abilities, but again - how does this fit into the concept? "Fight Or Fall" is another track that seems a little out of place. I think it may be Lynott's attempt at the Soul/R&B genre (Phil was biracial if you remember). It's not a bad song, but it seems out of place here. Bottom line on this one is if you liked "The Boys Are Back In Town" then go ahead and buy this CD. You won't likely be dissapointed.