Thin Lizzy’s current incarnation, led by classic-era mainstay Scott Gorham, changed its name when it came time for new music, so as not to blemish the late Phil Lynott’s legacy. Ironic, then, that the best tracks on the L.A. quintet’s debut LP scan the most Lizzy-like. Some songs truck in hard rock so generic it should be barcoded, but when Gorham cranks his signature guitar style and Ricky Warwick channels the fallen bandleader’s bark on “Hey Judas,” “Someday Salvation,” and “Bound For Glory,” the ghost of Lynott raises a pint. ***

This article appears in August 2 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.