Every song is a highlight with great, memorable lyrics: the Freedom Song (inspiring), Ballad of the Hard Man ("I've been beat up, cut-up, told 'sit down' and 'shut up' ... but I'm a hardman", "They've got a scheme to sell your dreams to silver screens and glossy magazines" - got to love it!), For those who love to live ("you gotta take a little bit of hate from those who love to live. Take that hate..."). For me, this is better than the other Lizzy albums, including the highly acclaimed Jailbreak album. Awesome harmony guitar work and wah-colored leads from Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham decorating Phil Lynotts unique and wonderful lyrics -- Thin Lizzy at their very best. Not forgetting the Brian Downey's distinctive and inventive use of unusual rhythm changes and Phil's pushed melodies and "lazy" vocals. Awesome.


Why is this album and band so overlooked?   October 21, 2005
Nathaniel Slautich (Fairfax, VA United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I have to agree with the one reviewer who refered to this album and band as being "criminally overlooked". Most people only know them from their main US hit "The Boys Are Back In Town", but Phil and the boys have put out so much great rock music, it does seem a crime to ignore the rest of their incredible catalog. Mr. Lynott's soulful vocals are absolutely some of the finest in rock history. By this time the dual guitar attack of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson were in full swing, as were the on point drumming stylings of Brian Downey. While I love all the previous albums by this great band, this was the first where everything just clicked (although I do love Night Life). I'm no Seger fan, but the opener of his "Rosalie" is a great rock moment. After which comes some of Lizzy's finest compositions. Highlights include the heartfelt "Fighting My Way Back", the upbeat "King's Vengeance", and the incredible rocker "Ballad of a Hard Man". If you love classic, soulful hard rock, this album is a no-brainer: just do it.


A smoother operator you will ever see...   August 23, 2001
Mark H. (Hanson, MA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Although 'Nightlife' was the official debut of the Gorham/Robertson classic lineup it was on September 1975's 'Fighting' that the true identity of Thin Lizzy was demonstrated. The twin guitar harmonies that became the band's trademark were in evidence here really for the first time and as a result the band had its first true masterpiece. While it did not achieve the level of success of later LPs, 'Fighting' belongs on the same pedestal as 'Jailbreak', 'Johnny the Fox' and 'Black Rose'. My favorite tracks are some of my alltime favorite Lizzy tunes including band friend Bob Seger's "Rosalie" (you best be smilin' when it's choosin' time!) and I don't give a damn whether its an original or not! "Suicide" is an awesome metal song about the suspicious circumstances of the death of Peter Brent (duelling lead breaks here which makes this a definitive Lizzy song). "Fighting My Way Back" and "Ballad of a Hard Man" could be seen as lyrical mission statements for the parent album. Sensitive balladry Lynott-style find their homes in "Freedom Song" and "Wild One" the latter being from the "Little Girl in Bloom" part of Philip's genius. "King's Vengeance" could be seen as another veiled attack at the pundits who thought Lizzy wouldn't make it! (as would "Fighting My Way Back!) Great storytelling, soulful and desperate vocals and those uncanny guitar harmonies make 'Fighting' a key addition to the Thin Lizzy catalogue and previewed the quality of rough, tough, ready and able rock n' roll that would carry Lizzy to the very end of their existence, as consistent as any catalogue in the history of rock music.