The boys are back in town.

Anyone else completely losing their minds or is it just me? I feel like I genuinely have no concept of time no more. Is it a Monday? The 1800s? Yesterday? Saturday everyday? Probably. Who the fuck knows? Let's be honest, physically I am here, losing my mind in my house, but mentally somewhere completely different. Possibly reliving a concert or pretending to be at one I didn't attend but know by heart because I've seen videos a million times. There's talks that we wont get to attend concerts till fall next year. NEXT FUCKING YEAR. Pray to god and satan that's not the case, else I have no idea how we'll live.

Sometimes while sitting down and trying to write a blog (really trying right now because everyone is stuck at home and yelling at each other and I can barely hear my thoughts never mind actually writing), I like to check back to my old blog, the private one, to see what I posted on the same days years ago. Seems like in these times it's even more interesting, some days are fun memories and some days are just a reminder how none of us really appreciated what we had. Freedom. 

I checked back to April 2015. A lot was on, but not much different, family arguments, pretty long haired singers, and a specific memory that still today makes me want to cry. At what point do we actually reconsider some things and realise some choices in the past were mistakes? I am starting to think that just because something made you happy…it doesn't mean it was right. 

April 29th 2015. Way before everything went to hell in a hand basket. I wrote a post about anxiety and love, and being there for someone you love. A post completely drenched with pain and love, a feeling so strong I felt it while re reading my own words and all I kept thinking was ''god was I an idiot''. I know this makes no sense to you right now, I just wanted to get it off my chest. I can't really fix or change much now but at least I know I've made some serious mistakes in the past. We all do. But some are…I don't know, heart breaking. And while in quarantine, one has too much time to think.

In that spirit here's a short review of an album, album that is actually one of his favorites. The one who the April 29th 2015 post is about, and a distraction, so I don't think about all the things that hurt, but rather of fond memories.

He and probably Axl Rose as well would kill me if they knew, but I never listened to this album. I have music that's on it on my laptop and on my iPod but I never listened to the actual album. It has been however featured on many of my social media platforms because let's be honest, how effin badass is that cover? Painted by Jim Fitzpatrick, who is an Irish artist maybe best known for his two tone portrait of Che, the one based on the famous photo which Korda took of him. Btw the very painting is now for sale, actually I think he made 10 copies, so super limited edition, for ''only'' about 15 000 euros. Understandable price. Also I'd kill for one of those, they are absolutely beautiful. Gods look at me rambling about painting, focus Nikki, this post is not about this type of art. 

So this album ''Black Rose: A rock legend'' is actually the ninth studio album by Thin Lizzy, it was released in 1979, which holy  shit means it celebrated 40 years last year. Doesn't it feel surreal at times, owning vinyl much older than you are? Album got a great number two on the UK charts as well as went gold also in the UK, not as successful in Europe or USA but I keep saying what do we know about music anyways? 

Reviews were stating that the album ''marks no major departure'' from their original sound. I don't know about that, I see some slight changes, like spices on a dish that make it tastier, but generally, why change what works great? Yes I'm all for musicians evolving and trying new things, but if you find your sound, something that works, something that sounds great, you can be creative within that sound as well.  Actually I think ''Black rose'' was the last real true classic album by Lizzy and definately the most polished and successful album. 

The opening to this album is perfect, it's alive, electrified and explosive. ''Do anything you want to do'' starts with this African style drum beat before slowly progressing into the perfection that is a double guitar attack, followed by a perfect guitar solo. It was recorded in Paris and in the end you can actually hear a distant vocal statement ''Elvis is dead'' and a tiny portion of Blue suede shoes, before the song fades out. Don't ask me what that's about, it's odd no doubt, but being the Elvis fan I am it sure as hell made my ears perk up.

''Toughest street in town'' is next, it's a bit heavier, more typical hard rock song and Moore's solo in this one? Bitching! It's obvious why he was the perfect fit for this band and a total highlight of the entire piece. This piece is about their past, you know, they came from nothing and worked hard to be where they are. This is a piece about the blue collar, hard working, rough world type life that the band came from. It actually reminds me of Springsteen, not because of the sound, god forbid, but the general underdog, working man outlook on life. 

''S & M'' has a Jazzier feel to it, the vocals are not the same as they are through the album, or how we are used to them and the guitars definatelly don't sound the same. But if you look at the song from a different point of view it's far more complex than any other song by Lizzy in the past. And don't even get me started on those dark and brutal lyrics. Jesus christ. 

The first single released from Black rose was ''Waiting for an Alibi'' and it might be my favourite one, guitars sound great, and the lyrics are just pure poetry. The song itself is catchy, which makes it obvious why it was picked for the single which is one of the best known songs to non hardcore fans and it got them on the UK top 10 with a number 9 on the chart. Not bad, of course we all know that usually when someone says Thin Lizzy you automatically think ''The boys are back in town''. Well actually I think ''Whiskey in a jar'' which is such a Metallica song for most people but truth is neither wrote Whiskey in a jar, they both only did covers. Originally Whiskey in a jar is a song about a notorious Irish highwayman Patrick Fleming who was hanged in 1650.

It's actually a fascinating story how this song became a huge hit for both Tallica and Lizzy and also The Dubliners. Let's be honest Fleming was no hero, this is not a Robin Hood type tale. He was a murderer and a robber who spared nobody. What brought him fame was his notorious escape from prison through I believe a chimney. He was caught again and later hanged but through out all of this madness he got this heroic stamp and many poems and tales written about him. Why, I have no idea. But  it gave us one of the best rock anthems. It's believed that the original poem was brought to the States by mass emigration and was originally called either ''The sporting hero'' or ''Whiskey in the bar''.  A version of it also existed in the Civil war, different lyrics and titled ''We'll fight for uncle Sam''.

What happened then was that Phil Lynott gave it a whole new life with their rock version on Lizzy's 1996 album with the same name. The song sky rocketed then, everyone was doing covers of this song and to be honest they still do today, there's countless numbers of youtube singers singing covers of this exact song but nobody really knows, it's a ballad about a murderer from 1650. Fascinating. 

Since I am once again completely off topic…side A closes with a song titled ''Sarah'', softer and much gentler song, feels a little bit out of place but in a welcome way. It's about Lynotts daughter who at the time when this was created was a newborn. It's a beautiful song because his love towards his daughter can be clearly felt while listening to this song. 

''Got to give it up'' and ''Get out of here''. Not very cheerful titles are they? The first one is a bit bluesy in the begining but sure as the sun rising it launches into another rock song with brilliant guitars. Thank all the gods. It's such a waste when bands have great guitarists and don't use their full potential. Hello Van Halen? WHY WHY WHY would you use whatever the hell you call that in the intro of Jump when you got Eddie Van Halen?! I don't get it. Just like I don't get it how damn popular it made them. People are strange I tell you. Right ''Got to give it up'' is the same old struggle most musicians battled with, brutally honest about heroin addiction and the rippling effect it has not just for the addict but everyone around them. On a less serious note, the other day while watching Rocketman (amazing movie btw, my babe Taron did such an amazing job in this role and not even a god damn nomination for an Oscar?!) and Elton being in rehab I was just over here thinking, can you imagine being in rehab circa 89-92? Possibly locked up in one of them rehab centers with the Crue? I know I know, this is serious and thank fuck they all got better but please, for a second, let my fan girl fantasies run wild. Thank you. 

''Get out of here'' is a song I most relate to and not because I'd think it's the best song on the album. It isn't. by far. But the lyrics really speak to me, this part ''I used to be a dreamer but I realized that it's not my style at all. In fact it becomes clearer that a dreamer doesn't stand a chance at all…'' yeah that hits home. 

''With love'' is another great one. First look reminds me of a way people used to write their emails, letters, text messages? Is this still a thing? Or you just write ''xoxo''? I guess I don't know, I'm old fashioned I'd probably write something along the lines of ''eternaly yours'', I guess under a ton of black makeup and dark brooding exterior I am a sucker for romance. Had an argument with the family just the other day, their ''professional opinion'' was that I may look like a 16 yearold kid but  inside I'm a frustrated old woman. This came from my love of vinyl, film photography, vintage clothes, old cars and frankly old men, I blame you Sixx and Rose.  What is with me today, I can't stay on track at all, this song is obviously not about what I just rambled about. It's more about a war going on within you, finding and losing love, as well something we all struggle with at some point in our lives. 

Album closes with ''Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend''. I believe this song is the song where the band is at their best and it really shows. It a mix of traditional and new and Rolling stone actually called this tune the best Irish rock song of all time. Cough whatcha gonna say about this Bono? Cough. I'm just kidding come on, I love U2. Most days anyways. But one thing is true, this is an epic song, a true masterpiece, that paints a great picture of Irish history, lyrics including names such as Van Morrison, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. 

But this album is another Inxs story, Moore left the band out of the blue in 1979, the band did three more albums till they broke up in 1983, none were as big and of course to make matters worse Lynott died due to substance abuse. All that combined makes Black Rose the one true last masterpiece. It's sad you know, there's so many amazing musicians gone too fast, and you never get to hear what more they had to give because I am sure it was nothing short of spectacular. 

It's obviously a legendary album and worth keeping in any collection. My copy was my mothers, the savage that likes to write on vinyl covers and destroy inner sleeves. I live with animals I swear. But if nothing else, this proves she used to have a good music taste, I wonder what happened that now I sit in a car with her and listen to David Guetta and Shakira. Please pray for me. 

Okay, I might actually go spin this one for the first time ever, it's not like I have anything better to do these days. Have a great weekend guys, live it up, you know, in the privacy of your homes. Cheers.