Excellent album that would sadly prove prophetic
Here, Phil Lynott writes a loosely constructed concept album about a rock star that struggles with the hard lifestyle and the addictions that often come with it. Johnny the Fox is nearly as impressive as its predecessor, the outstanding Jailbreak. Sadly, this would prove prophetic for Phil as he would become a victim of said lifestyle a decade later. All of the songs are very good, and as with all of their best work, there's a good mix of emotions. The upbeat rockers ("Rocky", "Fools Gold", "Johnny") complement their trademark wicked heavy metal ("Massacre", "Boogie Woogie Dance", "Don't Believe A Word") and a dose of funk in "Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed. " However, it's the ballads that truly shine here as the Johnny character deals with both depression on "Borderline" and lost love on the joyous "Old Flame" and the beautiful "Sweet Marie. " Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson's guitar work is impressive throughout, particularly on "Old Flame" and Brian Downey's drumming is spot on, especially on "Johnny" and "Boogie Woogie Dance. " Phil's vocals on the ballads are true tearjerkers. Nobody in hard rock could ever sing like him. While not quite on the level of Jailbreak (few hard rock albums are), Johnny the Fox is an excellent album from the underrated Irish hard rock band. .
In steps the Fox to thunderous applause...
In less than a year's time, Philip and the boys went back to the studio to contruct another opus to take advantage of the buzz around their previous hit record. God I love this album; it may be my favorite of Lizzy's with a slight bump over its predecessor 'Jailbreak'. When released in October of 1976, seven months after 'Jailbreak', 'Johnny the Fox' stalled commercially. The biggest reason might be that there was no follow up single along the lines of "Boys Are Back in Town" and the fellas were denied rock superstardom, especially in the US. Also another psuedo concept lp, 'Johnny the Fox' represented a peak in artistic abililty for Lizzy. The guitar partnership of Gorham and Robertson was flawless along with Brian Downey's performance. Philip's voice and lyrics were even more soulful and heartbreaking as he warned of the foilibles of life on the road or a life of crime. "Don't Believe a Word" was the lone single on 'JtheF' but it may not be the best song, though it is one of Thin Lizzy's greatests. "Massacre" is quite simply a masterpiece and would later be covered by Iron Maiden (whose dual guitar interplay was heavily influenced by Lizzy!). "Fool's Gold", "Borderline" and "Old Flame" tug at the heart strings as they portray lads and lasses who suffer through life at their own or others' hands. "Boogie Woogie Dance" is indescribable with an amazing rhythm section. "Johnny" and "Rocky" seem to be about rivals or old friends, one a career criminal and the other a rock star wannabe (or are they both the same man?). Some may prefer 'Jailbreak' but either way you can't go wrong with 'Johnny the Fox'. . . . it'll take you right up to heaven. Play on voodoo rhythm devils!.
great!
After the lucky Jailbreak album, this Johnny the fox is full of great song, like the title track, don't believe a word, massacre.
another lizzy milestone
Johnny the Fox has increased the capacity of Thin Lizzy to make good songs, with a more mature sound quality, and compositions are less raw hard rock riffs and goes more into a solid rock album. Another highlight from their best period, which covers the Gorham-Robertson era.
Released in the same year as it's precedure "Jailbreak", 1976, "Johnny the Fox" shows a development of the ideas from this line-up, the band was trying to reach the mainstream.
Once again, the guitar duo makes things work a lot, creating unique riffs to support Phil's chronicles. And let's not forget Downey's work on drums, he's in great shape and has developed a great trademark since "jailbreak".
Although when I come to listen to Thin Lizzy, I am not really looking for ballads, maybe that's why I prefer "Jailbreak" than Johnny the Fox"; however it's undeniable the good sense of melody put in this record.
Great, great classics for hard rock fans are here: Johnny (it's alright to lose your heart, but never lose your head), Rocky, Don' t believe a word, Fool's gold (wow!, that's great), Johnny the Fox (funky!!!). Enough to become a standard classic.
Maybe Thin Lizzy will never reach a massive cult, even because I think that it's not the band to listen when you are looking for heavy stuff pushing the stereos to the limit, Thin Lizzy may sound even "light" and pretty dated for radical ears, that's a huge mistake. We should look at this band (or listen) as four very talented rock musicians playing pure basic hard rock music, simple as that.
One of Lizzy's Best
This album is one of the reasons why: the songs are top notch, the playing is tight and inspired, and the vocals courtesy of Phil Lynott are just breathtaking. Man, what can be said about this band? One of the most overlooked of the "classic" rock bands, their name is rarely mentioned in the same sentence as Led Zep, the Stones, or the Who, but they surely deserve a place among the upper echelons of the genre. Sort of an underworld "concept" LP (IMHO), the album just flows very naturally. Highlights include the hard rocking opener "Johnny", the funky "Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed", the 70's metal mania of "Boogie Woogie Dance", and the soulful "Borderline" (one reviewer remarked that it was a great drinking song, I agree). But my all time fave on the record is the ballad "Sweet Marie". This song should be a staple on classic rock stations, but unfortunately US radio stations never gave it play. It is simply put one of the most beautiful rock songs ever recorded, and if it were the only song on the CD, it would still be worth it. If you like classic rock, then just buy this, and enjoy.
You can see a complete list of all Thin Lizzy discography, or go back to the Thin Lizzy tabs
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