Vicious Cycle

by

Lynyrd Skynyrd

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I've been a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan for 30 years, and had the opportunity to see the "original" lineup twice. The current version of the band is, quite simply, a different band. This list of people gone (Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Allen Collins, Artimus Pyle, Rob Burns, Ed King, Leon Wilkerson are gone, only Gary Rossington and Billy Powell remain). But this is A GOOD band. A band that can rock with anybody. A band that deserves to be heard. The people who want to get all angst ridden about the use of the Skynyrd name are welcome to gripe, but I'd rather turn up the music and enjoy. The realities of the music industry dictate that the use of the name gets these guys a record deal, and an opportunity to keep maikng music. So Be It. Call them whatever you want, this is a Southern Rock group featuring the guitar talents that drove Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws and Blackfoot. Pretty strong credentials. Johnny Van Zant is a very capable singer, and Billy Powel defines southern rock boogie piano. The drummer de-jour and new bass player do fine.

Vicious Circle is a very strong record, and has a real energy about it. The "harder" influence of Ricky Medlocke (think Blackfoot) is a bit more evident here, he even sings a bit. I'd rate this record among the best of the post-crash albums, which is not faint praise. Way better than most of "Rossington Collins Band", and no dogs like "Money Man" from "1991".

The pre-crash Lynyrd Skynyrd belongs in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. But this record still rocks.

Over the years the lines between southern rock and country have become blurred. At one time there was a definite separation between the two, but today's modern country seems to owe more to 70's southern rock than it does to classic Nashville. Considering the fact that Lynyrd Skynyrd is probably one of the biggest influences on today's country rock artists, and the fact that the music is all over the radio these days, it is not much of a surprise to hear Skynyrd trying to cash in on some of this popularity. Personally I am not a fan of modern country and for that reason I find some of this album almost unlistenable. Songs like "Red White And Blue" are just a bit too redneck for me. There are several songs like this on the disc. That being said there is some really good material to be found here too, when the band cranks up the guitars and and leaves the cornpone country lyrics behind. One of the best tracks on the album is the band's tribute to the late Leon Wilkinson called "Mad Hatter" It is a great tune and a fine epitaph for the band's former bassist. The album also contains a bonus track featuring Kid Rock screaming on a live version of "Gimme Back My Bullets". Overall this is a pretty good Skynyrd album although fans of modern country rock will probably get more mileage out of it than pure southern rock n rollers.