Band:	Thin Lizzy
Album:	Jailbreak
Style:	Hard rock
Release date:	1976
Guest review by:	Mattybu

01. Jailbreak
02. Angel From The Coast
03. Running Back
04. Romeo And The Lonely Girl
05. Warriors
06. The Boys Are Back In Town
07. Fight Or Fall
08. Cowboy Song
09. Emerald

Disc I [2011 remastered edition]
01. Jailbreak
02. Angel From The Coast
03. Running Back
04. Romeo And The Lonely Girl
05. Warriors
06. The Boys Are Back In Town
07. Fight Or Fall
08. Cowboy Song
09. Emerald

Disc II [2011 remastered edition]
01. The Boys Are Back in Town [remix]
02. Jailbreak [remix]
03. The Boys Are Back in Town [Alternate vocal - remixed version]
04. Emerald [remix]
05. Jailbreak [BBC Session 12/02/1976]
06. Emerald [BBC Session 12/02/1976]
07. Cowboy Song [BBC Session 12/02/1976]
08. Warriors [BBC Session 12/02/1976]
09. Fight or Fall [Extended version - rough mix]
10. Blues Boy
11. Derby Blues

"Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back In Town" are a couple of Thin Lizzy classics that even today you might hear on a classic rock radio station. They are very recognizable songs for this band but the truth is Thin Lizzy are no two hit wonders; they had plenty more than a couple stand-outs up their sleeve on their opus Jailbreak.


Now, I would not consider this album metal. It is definitely done in an old school hard rock style. That said, a huge range of metal bands have taken influence from Thin Lizzy and on this album it is clear why. They brought their A-game in the riff department and the duelling guitar harmonies displayed on the album, for example the fantastic ending to "The Boys Are Back In Town", are a staple of heavy metal as a genre.

Besides being an influential band this entire album is top quality work. Jailbreak has earned a revered place in rock and roll history through proficient and varied song writing, displaying a talent for writing both slower tunes and harder driving pieces. Even at their most accessible the song writing is interesting enough to make Jailbreak a great ride the whole way through. This is made even better by great performances all around from the whole band, especially Phil Lynott's unique and compelling vocals. He really had a great singing voice and displays his talents in a range of ways on this album. From slower and more emotional pieces like "Running Back" to guitar driven ones like "Warriors" everyone does their job very well and the album holds its energy and momentum from start to finish. Jailbreak is truly an impressive piece of music as a whole.

All in all Jailbreak is a true classic and is masterfully crafted and influential to many future musicians. Even aside from the couple of famous tracks the album has depth and songs like "Running Back" and "Fight Or Fall" complete the experience. A definite must have and to most (including myself) the peak studio effort in Thin Lizzy's career.

I would like to dedicate this review to the memory of Phil Lynott: rest in peace and thank you for sharing your wonderful voice with the world.