release date: Oct. 1974
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,06]
producer: Phil Lynott, Ron Nevison
label: Vertigo Records - nationality: Ireland
Track highlights: 1. "She Knows" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "It's Only Money" - 4. "Still in Love With You" (live) - 6. "Showdown" - 8. "Philomena"
4th studio album by Thin Lizzy. After a mediocre debut the band released another two albums as the same trio, both without much change in style and / or success, although, the '73 album contains signs of a more original sound and also introduces some of Lynott's classic works. Prior to the recording of Nightlife, Eric Bell left the band and two new members joined and proved essential in shaping a new and more significant style. Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, both on guitar was now part of the new Thin Lizzy that would be the first classic quartet. Using two guitarists was rather unusual for a traditional pop / rock band but it also enabled a quite unique sonic shape. Eric Bell was never known for his exquisite performances, and it seems that both Robertson and Gorham were better instrumentalists.
The album is probably the band's most laid back and least hard rock studio album with both funk and soul elements in an overall blues rock-founded album. Gary Moore had been a member of the band for a few months as he joined the band in late '73 when Bell left the band while on tour, and Moore was included for live sessions. He left again in April '74 but managed to record a few new songs with band and therefore he plays lead guitar on "Still in Love With You".
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]
