Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums (20)
What The Critics Say
With their classic early lineup, anchored by the swagger, grit, and heart of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd merged Allman Brothers guitars with barrelhouse piano (courtesy of keyboardist Billy Powell, a bigger part of Skynyrd's classic sound than most people realize), then tossed in a big dose of hard rock attitude and gave it all credence with a kind of blustering and cocky honky tonk sensibility. The original band just sounded so, well, right, and if its legacy in most casual listeners' minds is just "Sweet Home Alabama" and the ubiquitous "Free Bird," that's not a bad legacy to have, really. Skynyrd's story is also a gothic Southern tragedy, haunted by fatal plane crashes and death, and if the 21st century version of the band (current membership includes ex-Blackfoot guitarist Rickey Medlocke, drummer Michael Cartellone, vocalist Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Gary Rossington, who is the only member left from the original version of Skynyrd) seems more like a facsimile than a continuation, one could chalk it up to pure attrition. So what to make of God & Guns, the group's new album from Roadrunner Records? It certainly sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd, maybe with a little more contemporary Nashville on board, and there's plenty of that Southern redneck rocker attitude on display. The lead single, "Still Unbroken," is a fine song, "Southern Ways" has a certain charm (maybe because it's essentially a slowed-down rewrite of "Sweet Home Alabama" using the same riff as an anchor), and "Floyd" has some ragged atmosphere going for it, but there's nothing as memorable as "Free Bird" here, but then it's probably not fair to ask this version of the band to compete with its own past. This is Skynyrd in the 21st century, nothing more, nothing less, and they still rock hard. That part of the legacy is still intact. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
'Lyve from Steel Town'
Release Date 4/3/2007
Tracks 10
Label Sanctuary
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Lyve from Steel Town captures a July 15, 1997, concert given in a suburb of Pittsburgh that was originally released on DVD in 1999. Roughly eight years later, the home video was released as a CD that lacked five songs that were on the video, but their absence isn't that big of a deal since in this CD incarnation Lyve from Steel Town is a lean rock & roll album that stands as a good testament to the strength of the reunited Skynyrd. While it's still true that lovers of the classic original lineup will remain unconvinced that anybody could replace Ronnie Van Zant -- or the kinetic kick of drummer Artimus Pyle for that matter -- this is a tight, professional set that finds this latter-day Skynyrd in fine form, driving through such standards as "What's Your Name," "You Got That Right," "That Smell," and "Gimme Three Steps." For the diehards who appreciate the idea of this reunited lineup carrying the torch left from the classic lineup, Lyve from Steel Town is an entertaining listen, capturing this latter-day incarnation at something close to a peak -- which of course isn't the same thing as the original band at its peak, but for those who realize the difference and love the band anyway, this is certainly worthwhile. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour'
Release Date 6/21/2004
Tracks 19
Label Sanctuary
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
"Celebrating 30 years of rock 'n' roll," declares a logo on the cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's fifth concert recording, Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour, and the anniversary the band seems to have in mind is the one in 2003, the year of the show heard on the disc, looking back to the 1973 release of their debut album Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd). To mark the occasion, the group brought in horn and string sections along with cameras and recording equipment (there is also a DVD version) for a July 11, 2003, performance at Amsouth Amphitheater in Antioch, TN. With the 2001 death of bassist Leon Wilkeson (to whom "Simple Man" is dedicated in the show), this edition of Lynyrd Skynyrd features only two of the musicians heard on that first LP, guitarist Gary Rossington and keyboardist Bill Powell. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant suggests there is really a more relevant anniversary when he notes that the band played the venue at the start of its reunion 16 years earlier. In those days, it was billing itself only as a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and it is arguably even more of a tribute band today than it was then. Van Zant, who has now been in the band longer than his deceased older brother Ronnie, is unabashed about playing the cheerleader, declaring more than once that Lynyrd Skynyrd has many great songs, so many, it turns out, that some of them must be condensed into a medley. Several songs from the later version of the band are performed, among them four from 2003's Vicious Cycle album, but the crowd is there to hear the old warhorses, and Lynyrd Skynyrd plays them with the fervor and precision of a group bent on recreating the past. They do not play them with any new wrinkles, however, which means that unlike, say, the Allman Brothers Band, who are starting to follow the Grateful Dead in issuing numerous live albums, they do not justify repeated releases of different performances of the same songs. Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour is a souvenir for current fans, and it demonstrates that Lynyrd Skynyrd is maintaining a high standard of performance, but it is otherwise largely a redundant addition to their discography. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Having endured the loss of yet another bandmember with the passing of original bassist Leon Wilkeson, Skynyrd picks up the pieces yet again and delivers the goods the way only it can. Lyrically, the band hasn't stretched out its list of topics in any new directions, but quite honestly, who cares? This is Skynyrd. This isn't music to study to or scratch your chin by -- this isn't the soundtrack to relaxing nights sipping instant coffee and talking about deep feelings. This is homegrown music that's about partying and rock & roll, with a little bit of contemplative soul-searching mixed in for good measure. The music is still top-notch, probably the best it's been since the early '90s. And while the obvious absence of Ronnie VanZant will forever haunt the group like a bad plague, his brother has more than adequately been up to the task -- filling those giant shoes with the same passionate dirt and grit in his vocals as Ronnie did all those years ago. The band is the same, still rocking harder than most even after all these years. And for once the phrase "bonus track" lives up to that title; a duet of "Gimme Back My Bullets" between Skynyrd and nu-metal spokesman of the moment Kid Rock is simply the icing on the cake. Easily Skynyrd's best work in years and a welcome return to form for one of rock's most treasured assets. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
'Christmas Time Again'
Release Date 9/12/2000
Tracks 11
Label CMC International
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Edge of Forever'
Release Date 8/10/1999
Tracks 12
Label CMC International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
From the opening sound of a rattlesnake rattle, it is obvious that the newer members of Lynyrd Skynyrd are stepping out of the shadows and into the limelight where they belong. After all, Rick Medlocke, the "rattlesnake rocker" was himself a powerful frontman for his band Blackfoot in the '70s, while Hughie Thomasson performed the same duties for the Outlaws. On Edge of Forever, both Medlocke and Thomasson are heard with their individually unique guitar sounds. Unfortunately, they are still held back from performing any lead vocals, a chore either man could easily carry off. The opening song "Workin'" assaults the senses with a massive guitar attack that hooks the listener from the outset. Johnny Van Zant's vocals are as close to his late brother Ronnie Van Zant as they have ever been, and on the next song, "Full Moon Night," the swamp rock sound contains some definite early-Skynyrd influence, but also has hints of both the Blackfoot and Outlaws sounds. "Preacher Man" rocks with a refreshingly different feel; it no longer sounds like the boys are trying to imitate the Street Survivors record. The rowdiness that surrounds Southern rock comes to a head on "Mean Streets," with Gary Rossington, Thomasson, and Medlocke smoking across the fretboards in true rebel fashion. Next up is "Tomorrow's Goodbye," a ballad that can only be called modern country. The song is the highlight of the album, with Johnny Van Zant singing about saving the planet, and there is even a mention of brother Ronnie in the lyric, accented with one of Rossington's "Freebird" guitar notes that comes out of left field straight to your heart. The title track is a millennium song that returns to the old Skynyrd sound, while "Gone Fishin'" is one of the record's weaker moments. "Fishin'" is more filler than killer. Actually, the next song, "Through It All" is a bit weak as well, when compared to the rest of the album. "Money Back Guarantee" has some excellent piano work from Bill Powell, and "Get It While the Gettin's Good" is a very nice rocker, which leads into the power ballad "Rough Around the Edges," another of the better tracks here. "FLA" closes the set, a boogie-woogie rocker that makes a fitting closer for an overall good rock & roll record. While there are those who feel that Lynyrd Skynyrd died with the plane crash of 1977, one listen to Edge of Forever proves that their legacy is alive and well in 1999, and Lynyrd Skynyrd has more than a few good ideas left in their collective head. ~ Michael B. Smith, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Recorded during their 1997 tour, Lyve captures the latter-day incarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd running through their biggest songs -- "That Smell," "Saturday Night Special," "What's Your Name," "Gimme Three Steps," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird," etc. -- plus a handful of recent numbers. The record is enjoyable -- the band is in good form and play with a fair amount of energy -- but most fans will find that One More from the Road will be the only live Skynyrd they need. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Twenty marks the twentieth year since Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album, but perhaps a more relevant yardstick is that it is the fifth record the group has released since reuniting in the late '80s. Prior to recording Twenty, the group added two new members -- ex-Blackfoot Rick Medlocke and former Outlaw Hughie Thomasson -- virtually making the band a Southern rock supergroup, and that's part of the problem. There are too many egos involved to make the album truly captivating -- especially since the songwriting is usually undistinguished -- but occasionally, the star power gels and results in some hot rock & roll. In other words, specialists and aficionados will find plenty of stuff to enjoy here, but most casual fans will think that it's all been said before. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Despite its title, Freebird: The Movie does not contain a series of variations on the title song (granted, only four versions of "Freebird" could have fit on a standard-play compact disc). Instead, it captures a number of highlights from the soundtrack of Freebird: The Movie, a documentary about Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour. In addition to a dynamite version of "Freebird," the album contains a number of rare Skynyrd live cuts, including the first released live takes of "What's Your Name" and "That Smell." For dedicated fans, it's a live memento worth seeking out and cherishing. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
