After achieving a reluctant Top Ten hit with a
rock
version of the
traditional
Irish pub ballad
"Whiskey in the Jar,"
Thin Lizzy
began work on
Vagabonds of the Western World
-- their third, and ultimately last album for
Decca Records
. The single's surprise success gave the band bargaining power to demand more money and time to record, resulting in their first sonically satisfying album. The environmentally-conscious
R&B
of
"Mama Nature Said"
kicks things off with
Eric Bell
leading the way on slide guitar. The overblown
"The Hero and the Madman"
and the tepid
"Slow Blues"
threaten to derail the proceedings, but all is well again when the band break into their first bona fide classic
"The Rocker."
Brimming with attitude and dangerous swagger,
Lynott
sets the tone as drummer
Brian Downey
explodes into life for the first time on vinyl.
Lizzy
's Irish heritage permeates the title track, and the beautiful
"Little Girl in Bloom"
is absolutely flawless, featuring
, the poet, in top form. In many ways,
Vagabonds
actually rocks harder than
's next album, the soulful
Night Life
-- often considered the band's first "important" record. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia