Thin Lizzy  by Thin Lizzy

The self-titled debut album of Thin Lizzy was released on April 30, 1971, by Decca Records, in whose studios the band found themselves from January 4 to 9, 1971, for recording purposes. Although the band later became known for its hard rock sound, this first record is characterized by an experimental combination of genres. The sound of the album is a mix of folk rock, blues rock, and even psychedelia.

Many tracks have an acoustic character and lyrics that refer to Irish tradition (e.g., Eire, Saga Of The Ageing Orphan). There are traces of their later sound, such as in Return Of The Farmer’s Son, although the album as a whole is considered more "relaxed" and experimental. The album cover was designed by Decca's art department and bears the signature of David Anstey. It depicts a photo of a car headlamp (possibly a Vauxhall Victor) taken with a fisheye lens. Initially, the band's name was incorrectly written as "Tin Lizzy" instead of "Thin Lizzy." The release was delayed by a week until the mistake was corrected, as the band refused the company's suggestion to change its name to match the cover.

The commercial impact of the album at the time of its release was minimal to negligible.