This is one of the very few albums that I've bought blindly without listening to samples or an illegal leak. Thin Lizzy worshippers from Ireland, they said, and that's pretty much all I needed to hear. There haven't been many of these and Pride Tiger from Canada put out a good one last year assuring that it's never too late. 'Playground For Life' arrived in less than a week's time across this damn orb and with a bonus DVD. I just went through the DVD quickly before writing this, and among a few other things, it has a lo-fi docu about the band during the two year period between the first album and this one. And it shows Philomena Lynott giving two thumbs up to the band. They've got to be cool.

The album opens with 'Gambler's Blues', a great song with a chorus reminding one of a more metal 'Rocker' despite the very familiar sounding clean intro buildup. Tony Cullen is at times a dead-ringer for Phil, and per the bonus DVD, he even reminds one of him with his bass playing style. 'Sweets' is one of my picks; it's heavy and features some really lush twin guitar work from Bat Kinane and Pete Fisher. 'Puppet Queen' sounds like it's part written by a 70s punk band and Purple/Heep with Michael Schenker playing the solo. The title song could've been a Queensryche song had they been around in the 70s.

'For Your Skin' is a softer mid-paced song with a lot more hooks and sounding more contemporary except the harmonies and the classy old school guitars. The epic lead guitar played under the chorus towards the end of the song is goosebump inducing. 'Walking My Own Ground' sounds like a more modern punk with its palm-muted chord progression during the verses before going to the catchy chorus. This shit should be on the radio and selling millions. 'Dark Meets Light' could've been on a Gorham/Robbo era Lizzy album. Even Davy Ryan's drumming often reminds me of the heavily under-appreciated Brian Downey. Some really sweet double tracked and very well phrased leads on this one too.

'Sleeping Gun' scarily sounds like a 90s Metallica intro and then it goes into a Police-like verse. Not bad, because it picks up big time in the second half and also features a phat wah-laden solo, and the song gives this album bit of a variety, but for my money, this is the only weak moment of the album. Relatively, but still is. 'Over and Over' has the old school punk feel again, with the bass groove and the dirty heavy guitars crashing in later. When the vocals come in though, it sounds heavily Beatles influenced over their typical 70s guitar style. Some really well done backing vocals here too. 'The Merryground' has a very epic and dark Pink Floyd feel to it and it's a fitting album closure.

Production is very good. Though obviously 70s aware as far as their sound, influences and tones go, they've made use of modern recording techniques. It should be noted that it's mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Y&T, Judas Priest, Gary Moore etc.,) who also chips in with occasional keyboard touch-ups. My only gripe is that the sleeve needs some serious proof reading; this is a highly recommended album for fans of old school hard rock nonetheless.

Label: True Talent Records
Year of Release: 2008