Customer Reviews

Fighting

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thin Lizzy is extremely easy to overlook and therefore dismiss. As recently as two months ago, I only knew Thin Lizzy for "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back In Town". Even the band's name itself is the punchline of many a joke about 1970s rock. Too bad. Those who laugh are missing out on the music of one of rock and roll's very best.

For whatever reason, the voluminous musical output of Thin Lizzy is fast disappearing from the public eye. This would be a major mistake, one that I myself am finally rectifying after many years. While there are several more Lizzy albums for me to explore, let me share my knowledge of "Fighting" with you, the Amazon reader/consumer.

Released in 1975, about six months before the band achieved massive success, "Fighting" is simply a straight-up, no-holds-barred, get-in-the-car-and-crank-the-jams album. This is a CD with no weaknesses, just ten rock classics that sadly border on obscurity.

Right now my favorite song is "Suicide", with its blistering, Irish-jig style guitar solos from Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. However, last week my favorite tune was the soulful, heartfelt "Wild One", featuring the impassioned vocals of one of the all-time greats in Philip Lynott. Next week it will probably be another song, maybe their driving version of Bob Seger's "Rosalie". This album is that good.

I read comparisons of present-day rock bands like the Hold Steady to Thin Lizzy, and quite frankly that is the most ludicrous comparison in rock. Thin Lizzy rocked and they had a serious attitude, one borne of hard years on the back roads of Ireland honing their craft. The lyrics here are not your average Led Zep foppish tales of gothic doom and mountains. They're very personal and hard-earned. The years of obscurity while watching lesser bands make bigger names for themselves had to have angered Lynott. Not only that, but some lyrics make clear that perhaps Lynott regarded himself as one of his biggest adversaries. Yet the music has a total energy, almost celebrating the strength he had gained from his trials. You're not going to find this kind of soul-searching on any Eagles song.

No doubt they looked with scorn on some of those "lighter" sounds that were gaining fame and fortune during the time. You can hear it in "Ballad of a Hard Man", which really IS the best song on the album. Here, Lynott isn't just telling you about his pain -- he's showing you:

"I've been mixed up, cut up so sit down and shut up
'Cause I'm a hard man
I was hung up, strung out but I can't take no more junk
Even if you can"

Hard words, set over basic, pulsating, and unforgiving guitar riffs. Did Thin Lizzy blaze any new music trends with "Fighting"? No. But did they rock honestly and without pretense? Absolutely yes. Sure, they were trying to be rock stars, but on their own terms. Even if it meant keeping their fan base within a certain radius. If we're going to bring back some of rock's 70s music into the national consciousness, let's at least bring back the good stuff!

I have to agree with the one reviewer who refered to this album and band as being "criminally overlooked". Most people only know them from their main US hit "The Boys Are Back In Town", but Phil and the boys have put out so much great rock music, it does seem a crime to ignore the rest of their incredible catalog. Mr. Lynott's soulful vocals are absolutely some of the finest in rock history. By this time the dual guitar attack of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson were in full swing, as were the on point drumming stylings of Brian Downey. While I love all the previous albums by this great band, this was the first where everything just clicked (although I do love Night Life). I'm no Seger fan, but the opener of his "Rosalie" is a great rock moment. After which comes some of Lizzy's finest compositions. Highlights include the heartfelt "Fighting My Way Back", the upbeat "King's Vengeance", and the incredible rocker "Ballad of a Hard Man". If you love classic, soulful hard rock, this album is a no-brainer: just do it.

****This review is for the Remastered Import version with the alternate cover**** The music on this album is 5 stars, no argument. This review is mainly for Thin Lizzy fans debating on whether to purchase this "remastered" import.....DO IT! From the very first track, I was flat out blown away by the improvement in the sound compared to previous releases. I knew right away this was going to be a fantastic listen. Songs like "Suicide", "Wild One" & "King's Revenge" have finally received the tratment they deserve. If you still have this album on vinyl or are thinking about upgrading from your current cd version, add to cart now. You will not regret this purchase, I guarantee it. Lastly, look into zShops, you can get this album at a really, really fair price.

Although 'Nightlife' was the official debut of the Gorham/Robertson classic lineup it was on September 1975's 'Fighting' that the true identity of Thin Lizzy was demonstrated. The twin guitar harmonies that became the band's trademark were in evidence here really for the first time and as a result the band had its first true masterpiece. While it did not achieve the level of success of later LPs, 'Fighting' belongs on the same pedestal as 'Jailbreak', 'Johnny the Fox' and 'Black Rose'. My favorite tracks are some of my alltime favorite Lizzy tunes including band friend Bob Seger's "Rosalie" (you best be smilin' when it's choosin' time!) and I don't give a damn whether its an original or not! "Suicide" is an awesome metal song about the suspicious circumstances of the death of Peter Brent (duelling lead breaks here which makes this a definitive Lizzy song). "Fighting My Way Back" and "Ballad of a Hard Man" could be seen as lyrical mission statements for the parent album. Sensitive balladry Lynott-style find their homes in "Freedom Song" and "Wild One" the latter being from the "Little Girl in Bloom" part of Philip's genius. "King's Vengeance" could be seen as another veiled attack at the pundits who thought Lizzy wouldn't make it! (as would "Fighting My Way Back!) Great storytelling, soulful and desperate vocals and those uncanny guitar harmonies make 'Fighting' a key addition to the Thin Lizzy catalogue and previewed the quality of rough, tough, ready and able rock n' roll that would carry Lizzy to the very end of their existence, as consistent as any catalogue in the history of rock music.

I would give this 4 1/2 stars. "Jailbreak" is better (harder and more refined), but there is sone nice work on this album. Some songs seem raw - Roslie is better on "Live and Dangerous". "Spirit Slips Away" is a beautifully done slow song, and "Kings Vengance" has some pushing drums and guitar. The highlight of this album is the guitar duet(dual?) at the end of "Suicide". This studio version of the song is great; the guitars are graceful and smooth, sounds fantastic(some of their best work).

I't's that twin guitar thing that Gorham and Robertson does. Iron Maiden has nothing on them. You will get them here. Perfect vibrato harmonies and all those killer leads from both guys. Awesome tempo changes.

This apparently little known album is my favorite rock album. While "Live and Dangerous" is perhaps the best known Thin Lizzy album and the best rock album ever (failing that the best live album and/or the best double album), this album is every bit as inspired. There is not much overlap with Live and Dangerous either (just Rosalie & Suicide) and one is live -- so you should buy both albums (yes, really).

Every song is a highlight with great, memorable lyrics: the Freedom Song (inspiring), Ballad of the Hard Man ("I've been beat up, cut-up, told 'sit down' and 'shut up' ... but I'm a hardman", "They've got a scheme to sell your dreams to silver screens and glossy magazines" - got to love it!), For those who love to live ("you gotta take a little bit of hate from those who love to live. Take that hate..."). For me, this is better than the other Lizzy albums, including the highly acclaimed Jailbreak album. Awesome harmony guitar work and wah-colored leads from Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham decorating Phil Lynotts unique and wonderful lyrics -- Thin Lizzy at their very best. Not forgetting the Brian Downey's distinctive and inventive use of unusual rhythm changes and Phil's pushed melodies and "lazy" vocals. Awesome.

I bought this album when it came out after hearing "Fighting My Way Back" on the radio (man,I miss bay area free-form radio), and it seems I love it more now than when it came out. Exceptional throughout. The guitar tones as well as the playing from Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson are awesome(I'm thinking in general Scott's the rounded lead tone and Brian the biting lead tone-kind of like Dickey and Duane back in the day).

I love how "For Those Who Love To Live" goes from crying harmonies for the intro to smooth diads and triads for the verses to chunkiness in the chorus. Tasty Les Paul tones to the max. I always get a pang of sadness when Phil sings "I love to live" as the song is winding up. Same with "Wild One",very passionate and "Spirit Slips Away",vibey and atmospheric. Rest In Peace, Phil. Another great rock musician gone way too soon.

All the guitar playing on this release is very melodic with an awesome sense of feel."Fighting My Way Back","Kings's Vengeance",and "Freedom Song" are examples of this but they could sound mean as well like on "Suicide" and "Ballad of a Hard Man".

Really not a bad track on this record though Rosalie and Silver Dollar might be 3 or 4's out of 5. I also have Jailbreak, Johnny the Fox, Live and Dangerous, Black Rose and Bad Reputation, all on vinyl-yes, I'm a fan. But this album, my first purchase by the band has truly gotten better with age.

Dang,now I want a Les Paul Deluxe.

First of all, it needs to be known that "Fighting" was released one year "before" their commercial success of "Jailbreak". For this reason, it was, or is, easy for most to have looked over this 1975 record. For obvious reasons, Phil Lynott & the Boys, were at least 2 decades ahead of their time considering Lynott's ethnicity. You can't go wrong by starting the record with a Seger remake. From there is all vintage Thin Lizzy. "For Those who Love to Live" is a funk inspired groove followed by "Suicide". This one, pure rock, may be Thin Lizzy's toughest riff. "Wild One" has a slow blues melody that has you wishing that the track never ends. "King's Vengeance" + "Spirit Slips Away" are a combined two tracks well suited for stereo introduction. Not only this band, but this record needs to be re-released, along with ALL other Thin Lizzy records in the same manner that the Stones & Aerosmith did themselves. One thing is for sure, if you thought those guys were good all these years, you haven't seen, or HEARD, nothin' yet!!!

Buy this CD,it's a classic.Many people prefer "Jailbreak" because it is comercially,more sucessful.However "Fighting" is a better written album.The production is raw and the passion the album contains is undeniable.For my money the best track is "Fighting My Way Back" the drumming is fantastic.So allow me to reitterate;buy this album!You won't be disappionted and if you like it check out other great 70's rock bands such as Budgie, Blue Oyster Cult,and The Scorpions.Also don't listen to the guy who says don't buy Zeppelin IV, buy every Zeppelin album.