Up until now every Lizzy live album has paled in comparison to the original classic. For this reviewer, this long lost live recording recorded in Philly on 1977 trounces Live & Dangerous in intensity and genuine feeling. There is no sneaking suspicion of over-dubbing and the band is in amazing form. Ten tracks of Thin Lizzy at their very best with all the greats like “Boys Are Back In Town,” “Jailbreak,” and the killer finale of “Me and the Boys.”
Its less of a case of “still” dangerous and more of a case of as dangerous as it can ever get. The first “must own” CD of this very young year, maybe even an instant classic. I find it hard to believe that you will hear a better live CD this year.
Tommy Bones: EP
Never heard of this bunch but on the strength of this release I probably should have by now. This is Texas swamp boogie as played by Motorhead. Think of ZZ Top if they drank Jaeger and did speed instead of bottled beer and tequila. Its no wonder Texans are excited about this lot. So much more interesting than the stuff doing the rounds and getting kudos in LA. Its head down sleazy heavy boogie done with some serious attitude.
Take a listen to the heaviness of “Murderous Rage” if you want proof. There is even a whiff of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal attitude on here. “My Hate” even has that epic feel not unlike Iron Maiden in their earliest incarnation. Menace and aggression with a skill and nuance.
Tommy might mention newer bands in his bio, but this is pure classic heavy metal with a touch of Texas for good measure. If you are into finding great bands before everyone gets wind of them, then check this lot out. Think Pantera at their best then up the quality and that is what you get with this lot. About time a Texas band emerged to kick our arses all over again.
Nico’s Alchemy: Fundamental Alchemy
Very much the centerpiece of this band is Nico Tamburela. That is in fact the major problem with it to be honest. They are a great band and can play well, but really lack songs. They seem to be a vehicle for the guitarists playing with little attention paid to actually mustering a decent tune. There a couple of songs that do raise themselves above the parapet like “Shine On” but then they follow it with the bloody awful “A Leap in Space” with its hip-hop manufactured beats that grinds the whole thing to a halt. The final track “Miles Away” is a good track whose potential has been wasted with a weak delivery.
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