Almost identical to 1991's excellent DEDICATION, Mercury's 2006 hits comp DEFINITIVE COLLECTION offers 16 classic tracks by the beloved Irish hard-rock quartet. While Thin Lizzy's sound contained many of the musical trappings of standard 1970s rock, the band's unique dual-lead-guitar attack; subtly brilliant, melodic songcraft; and inimitable lead-singer/bassist Phil Lynott place them in a league unto themselves.

Sequenced chronologically, the disc kicks off with Thin Lizzy's stirring update of the trad classic "Whiskey in the Jar," and includes scruffy, hook-laden rockers like the "Cowboy Song," "Jailbreak," and "Bad Reputation," as well as stylistically varied tracks like the Springsteen-esque groover "Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In It's Spotlight)" and a rousing live take on "Rosalie." Thin Lizzy wore their hearts on their collective sleeves, and while DEFINITIVE COLLECTION forsakes some of Lynott's gentler, more heartfelt moments in favor of the rockers, it's still a nice introduction to the band and a pleasing mix of hits for long-time fans. Raise a glass.

Thin Lizzy already had a fine collection on the market that went a long way toward presenting them as perhaps the best guitar rock band of the '70s. Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy is an 18-track call to arms packed with Phil Lynott's magical songs, lyrics, and voice as well as the twin guitar gods Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson (with a little Gary Moore here and there). The Definitive Collection aims to replace it and stumbles just a bit. Just as on Dedication, all the big hits ("The Boys Are Back in Town," "Whiskey in the Jar," "Jailbreak"), key album tracks ("Showdown," "Wild One," "The Cowboy Song"), statements of intent ("The Rocker"), and moments of hard rock genius ("Don't Believe a Word," "Dancing in the Moonlight [It's Caught Me in the Spotlight]") are here. What's different on The Definitive Collection is the omission of two worthy songs ("She Knows" and "Fighting My Way Back") and the replacement of the studio version of "Rosalie" with an exciting live version from 1978's Live and Dangerous album that splices in a couple measures of "Cowgirl's Song" much to the audience's delight. The omissions and changes make this less definitive than Dedication. A track or two probably could have been added instead. If Dedication is no longer available though, anyone looking for a fine single-disc collection of Lizzy's finest moments should turn to The Definitive Collection first. ~ Tim Sendra