Thin Lizzy - Fighting

Fighting is the band's 5th studio album where they solidified their sound with Robertson and Gorham's twin, melodic lead guitars over Lynott and Downey's rockin' rhythm section. This one set the stage for the success of Jailbreak and while it is not quite as cohesive as that record, it is a solid effort.

Bob Seger's "Rosalie" gets the opening slot here and, if anything, surpasses Seger's version - they really do make this their own - no one can argue with those two guitars! Drummer Downey gets co-writing credit on "For Those Who Love to Live", where the melodic guitar lines are pretty exceptional. One of my faves from the group is the dark riff-rocker, "Suicide" - the story is a bit convoluted, but the music is as rockin' as it gets while both guitars join together on harmony licks before they each get to trade off'n'show off at the end - each apparently trying to one-up the other! Fab stuff! "Wild One" is a little mellower but the twin, melodic guitars really give it a distinctive hook and the dual lead at the end is pretty spectacular. Phil's soulful voice really stands out here, as well. The fast-paced, chooglin' "Fighting My Way Back" finishes side one on a energetic upbeat.

Turn the vinyl over for "King's Vengeance", a mid-tempo bit of lyrical drama and tuneful playing, the band gets moody in the quiet "Spirit Slips Away" (nice volume effects on some of the leads here), "Silver Dollar" (Brian Robertson's song) is somewhat funky, with phased/wahed gits, "Freedom Song", with its single chord hits, harmony guitars and chuggin' rhythm - not to mention Phil's fine singing - could easily fit in on Jailbreak and Gorham's songwriting contribution, "Ballad of a Hard Man" is anything but a ballad - it's a heavy, hard rockin' riffer with excellent leads and is a fine climax to the album.

Not quite Jailbreak, but damn good and essential for fans!