Edge of Forever

by

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Edit

This is the one we've been waiting for! With Twenty having been lackluster and all these greatest hits releases, this album has been much anticipated, and it does the job well. From the blue-collar rooted, "Workin' Man," through the powerful riffs of, "Preacher Man," right down to the good-natured rockin' of, "F.L.A.," this album gets it done the southern fried Skynyrd way! There is definite Outlaws and Blackfoot, (read Thomason and Medlocke,) inspiration here, but to the Skynrd purists, Steve Gaines changed the sound of the band as well. It's an evolution thing. Don't forget, Medlocke had a lot to do with Skynyrd in its early years, and appears on some early cuts. Some of the songs from this album are getting a lot of airplay, to show that even if not familiar with Skynyrd, (as you should be,) these songs play well to a wide audience.

I've read the other reviews and was surprised that noone mentioned, "Fishin'," a modern Skynyrd classic. (Johnny's not singin' 'bout fish, kids.)

As many of you know, Lynyrd Skynyrd lost their original singer Ronnie Van Zant (among others) in a plane crash., and the band was silent for many years. In 1991 they made a come back with Ronnie's brother Johnny Van Zant as the singer. Long time Skynyrd fans might say that things got changed and the music wasn't equally good as in the 1970's. Others, with a more positive attitude, claim that Lynyrd Skynyrd still got it, and the band just upgraded their traditional sound.

"Edge of forever" from 1999 is without doubt a "southern rock" album, as the opening "Working" with it's hard guitar riff clearly shows. Lynyrd Skynyrd have always stood by the side of the ordinary hard working man, and this one is no exception...

"I keep on workin' like a workin' man do

I got to buy my baby shoes

I keep on workin', it's the only thing I do

I make my living by the sweat of my brow"

Lynyrd Skynyrd have often showed us their romantic view towards the simple pleasures in life (fresh air to breath and mountains to look at, the opportunity to go fishing or drinking at the bar) and while some people think it's just a retarded hillbilly attitude - living by the bible and having a good woman by the side - I find some honesty in their lyrics.

The music on the album is mainly good, especially in the hard rockin "Working" and "Edge of forever"; the captivating "Preacher man" with it's attractive chorus; the groovy "Gone fishing" and the more light rocking "Money back guarantee". Although you can hear echo's from the "old" Lynyrd Skynyrd (for example in the verse on "Mean street", and parts on "Rough around the edges") it seems Lynyrd Skynyrd are having problems to re-create the magic from the bands heyday. But it's still a solid rock album, and those who like the southern approach shouldn't hesitate to buy this one.