What makes Back on the Streets by Gary Moore notable?

'Back on the Streets' is notable for its critical reception, particularly for the track 'Parisienne Walkways,' which became one of Moore's signature songs and showcased his virtuosic guitar skills. The album helped solidify Moore's reputation in the blues rock genre and contributed to his later commercial success. Released on September 30, 1978, 'Back on the Streets' was Gary Moore's second solo album, following his debut 'Grinding Stone' in 1973. At this point in his career, Moore was transitioning from a member of Thin Lizzy to establishing himself as a leading solo artist, incorporating a more personal style that combined blues influences with hard rock elements.

Who is Back on the Streets for?

Back on the Streets works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, dynamic emotional journeys and long, immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on Back on the Streets?

Back on the Streets has 8 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Back on the Streets

Gary Moore · 1978

37 min · 8 tracks · blues

A vibrant blend of blues rock and hard rock, marked by expressive guitar solos and dynamic rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Back on the Streets — The title track sets the tone for the album with its raw energy and showcases Moore's powerful guitar work alongside his passionate vocals.
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Parisienne Walkways — This track exemplifies Moore's ability to fuse lyrical storytelling with emotive guitar solos, becoming a classic that resonates beyond the album itself.
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Don’t Believe a Word — With its catchy hooks and driving rhythm, this song highlights Moore's knack for blending rock sensibilities with blues undertones.
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Hurricane — The intensity of this track captures the tumultuous emotions present throughout the album, showcasing Moore's lyrical depth and musical prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album features strong guitar work and varied pacing but lacks overall cohesion in its flow.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a steady build-up, leading into a series of tracks that alternate between aggressive guitar work and softer melodies.
Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with extended guitar solos that showcase Moore's technical skills, particularly in 'Parisienne Walkways'.
The pacing varies significantly; tracks like 'Fanatical Fascists' maintain high energy, while 'Song for Donna' introduces a slower tempo and more introspective feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
contemplative reflective moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked a significant step in Moore's solo career and featured his signature track.
Career context: Released on September 30, 1978, 'Back on the Streets' was Gary Moore's second solo album, following his debut 'Grinding Stone' in 1973. At this point in his career, Moore was transitioning from a member of Thin Lizzy to establishing himself as a leading solo artist, incorporating a more personal style that combined blues influences with hard rock elements.
Stylistic neighbors: Joe Bonamassa· Peter Green· Eric Clapton