Review Summary: Tell me about those legends of old
Just in time for the end of the decade, 1979’s Black Rose: A Rock Legend brought some serious gumption to Thin Lizzy’s sound. It is most notable their first and only album to feature Gary Moore after a few previous supplementary appearances, bringing back their signature twin guitar setup after the shaky lineup of 1977’s Bad Reputation. The production also seems to have some extra power behind it, giving their hard rock a mix of heavy polish well suited for the changing climate of the time.
That energy is conveyed by the exuberant songwriting as vibrant guitars and upbeat rhythms house a mix of rousing choruses and verses intent on packing in as many rhymes as Phil Lynott can muster. “Do Anything You Want To Do” is a decidedly optimistic number with affirming lyrics alongside a shuffle straight out of Jailbreak while the chorus on “Toughest Street In Town” is just flamboyant enough to sustain the peppy momentum. “Waiting For An Alibi” and “Got To Give It Up” are similarly paced though with more ominous slants to their storytelling and “Get Out Of Here” offers another strong attitude-driven set of hooks.
Elsewhere, the outliers also benefit from the boosts. “S&M” plays like a better realized version of “Boogie Woogie Dance” with its bass-driven funk rhythm given an extra grind and breathy vocals fitting for the theme. “Sarah” and “With Love” also round the album out nicely as token softer numbers, albeit with a glossier makeup, the former especially standing out for bright acoustic guitars and Beatles-esque harmonies that give the sentimental father to daughter lyrics that much more sweetness.
Following “Emerald” before it, the album’s title track closes things out with an epic excursion into the band’s Irish identity. This song takes that aspiration even further by serving as a medley of sorts that cycles through traditional tunes and extensive references within the culture. While the framing risks coming off too dense, especially as its seven minute length is one of their longest overall, it stays cohesive thanks to the grandiose guitar work. It’s but one of many cases for Thin Lizzy being Ireland’s most definitive band.
And with that, Black Rose: A Rock Legend is among the candidates for Thin Lizzy’s most definitive effort. It has an interesting place in their history, seeming like a culmination of their decade-long trajectory as well as a hint of forward thinking. While hindsight has ultimately shown that some optimism may have been misplaced due to an instability that never fully went away, the songs here are some of their best backed by some of their tightest musicianship. An album like Jailbreak may be the most iconic, but this could very well be my personal favorite.
