Published on May 30, 1999
Thin Lizzy – a band you can never get tired of. After listening
to their music (especially their most remembered album, 1976’s
Jailbreak), you can’t help but want to hear more of their
music.
Their 1983 album,
Chinatown, shows how guitars rock, the way they ought to be.
The guitarists for Thin Lizzy on this particular album are Scott
Gorham and Snowy White. And let us not forget the unforgettable
lyrics of their frontman bass player/lead singer, the late Phillip
Lynott.
Chinatown was recorded in Chinatown in London. Awesome is
best to describe this album, with it’s incredible artwork and
always rocking style.
Leading off the album is “We Will Be Strong,” that has strong
guitar work and lyrics. The guitars are incredible in the title
track, and if a rock band would want to include this song in their
playlist (especially a Thin Lizzy tribute band), “Chinatown” would
definitely be a challenge for their guitar players.
“Sweetheart” continues the rocking a-blazing, where “Sugar
Blues” has a great rhythm with both the bass and guitars, with a
touch of drum solo riff. (Drums supplied by Brian Downey.) This
song would be another challenge for an up-and-coming rock-and-roll
band, and/or Thin Lizzy tribute band.
“Killer On The Loose” is a song that stands out in your mind as
a contender for regular radio airplay. It’s chorus has you chanting
along with the band, “There’s a Killer on the Loose again, there’s
a Killer on the Loose…” It also has some laughing sound effects,
sounding like Satan.
“Having A Good Time” would have been another song for regular
radio airplay; it’s not as hard rocking as the previous songs
heard, yet it’s not a slow number either. Again, it demonstrates
good use of guitars and solos.
“Genocide (The Killing of the Buffalo)” picks up the rocking
rhythms again, “Didn’t I” slows down the pace, showcasing Phillip
Lynott’s soulful voice, with the blending of the guitars makes this
song a wonderful rock ballad. The album ends with the bass-catching
tune, “Hey You,” and like many songs heard on this album, is a
another rocker.
There aren’t any big hits in Thin Lizzy’s
Chinatown, yet they only had three songs in their career
that everyone would remember right off the bat: “The Boys Are Back
In Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Dancing In The Moonlight.” But that
doesn’t mean that their other albums should never have had big
hits. They should have, because after hearing their other albums,
it’s amazing that Thin Lizzy didn’t get regular exposure, other
than on underground and AOR FM radio stations. Thin Lizzy’s music
should be heard and experienced. There will be some songs you will
discover that you will want to play over and over again.
(Especially for those who have their own radio stations, and/or
pirate radio stations.)
Pick up any Thin Lizzy album, and you will not be disappointed.
Chinatown is an album that definitely rocks, and if that’s
want you want to hear, hear you will.