Renegade [Import]

A++++ On this disk, the lyrics and mix or rock/R&B and Blues make it a must have for anyone who likes Thin Lizzy. Dualing guitars from S. White and S.Gorham add to the enjoyment and showcase the talent of the two. Of course Phil wrote great stuff on this disk, even during a hard time in his life. Check the other reviews and Buy this unknown Lizzy Classic if you like any music of Thin Lizzy, even if you have to pay import disk fees. It will not dissapoint your ear.

I first got this album on cassette while on holiday in Calafell. It was in the summer of 1990. Right into the opening track Angel Of Death I was blown away by everything - the fury of the music and the great lyrics that blend perfectly. Another great songs include the title track and my fave: Hollywood - great riff, sharp lyrics and excellent drumming by the also underrated Brian Downey. Some Lizzy fans may feel disappointed when listening to either Fats or Mexican Blood but both songs are amusing. A band is not always supposed to sound alike in all songs, right? The players are in top form, and Darren Wharton keys add a nice touch to the music.

Don't get me started on the whole TL reunion thing - money grab. I mean, what the hell? Phil Lynott was Thin Lizzy. Does anybody imagine The Stones on tour without either Mick or Keith?
I feel the same about the reformed Thin Lizzy covers band.

All in all, a sadly underrated Lizzy effort - read allmusic.com review for details. Don't trust anyone's opinion but yours.

Renegade is a very musically diverse album from the borderline metal Angel Of Death with it's eerie keyboard intro solo, to the jazzy track Fats. Some Thin Lizzy classics to come from this album in my opinion include Angel Of Death, Renegade, The Pressure Will Blow, and Hollywood. Those tracks alone should have been enough to gather at least a 3 star review from the "professional critics". If you read the review on AllMusisGuide, you will see a "critic" stating how the title track fails to "tug on the heart strings". That struck me as rather odd, as Renegade was as heavy as Lizzy could get before Thunder and Lightning. If any track on this album is meant to tug on the heart strings, it's It's Getting Dangerous. Here's some lyrics from the song.

"I remember him when we were friends, when we were young, way back then
But now we're all grown up and we're strangers
You see, bit by bit, part by part, we slipped and slipped
Till we'd grown apart and now we're strangers."

This was the second Thin Lizzy album I've ever listened to in full, and loved it. Fats and Mexican Blood are the only real detours if you're looking for straight up hard rock. Fats as I said above, is a jazzy track, with a great flow that is Would have been great on one of Phils solo albums as well as Mexican Blood, a more Spanish sounding ballad then Mexican, but I really don't care as I enjoy the song. Brian Downey, one of rocks most underrated drummers is as solid as ever, and truly shines on Angel of Death and the title track. Give Renegade a few listens and and judge for yourself. Don't listen to critics. Who cares if it's not the classic "Thin Lizzy sound", it's still a great album. 5/5 from me.

If you get this on CD, DO NOT GET THE WOUNDED BIRD REISSUE. Some of the worst crap I've heard in my life.