Audio CD review:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Vicious Cycle

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Vicious Cycle

Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd Title: Vicious Cycle Rating: Release Date: 2003-05-20 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: That's How I Like It - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 2: Pick 'Em Up - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Zant 3: Dead Man Walkin' - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Zant 4: The Way - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 5: Red White and Blue - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Zant 6: Sweet Mama - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hambridge, Tom 7: All Funked Up - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 8: Hell or Heaven - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 9: Mad Hatter - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hambridge, Tom 10: Rockin' Little Town - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hambridge, Tom 11: Crawl - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 12: Jake - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hambridge, Tom 13: Life's Lessons - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 14: Lucky Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Medlocke, Rick 15: Gimme Back My Bullets - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary

3 1/2: Either overly trashed or ludicrously esteemed This Skynyrd has a more modern, slightly-pop sheen to it's surface. You are never going to get the simple, elegant phrasing and poetry of Ronnie V. Skynyrd's lyrics these days are clunkier and goofier, but they manage to create some catchy hooks, hummable melodies and very rockin' rhythms. They still know how to rock, no doubt about it. Guitars remain a prominent force. Occcasionally, there is a "Things Goin' On" social consciousness that comes to the fore sucessfully as it does in "The Way. " Tunes like "Hell or Heaven" and "Lucky Man" show they can deliver an effective power ballad. There are plenty of groovin' uptempo rockers such as the consecutive rapid fire of the first four tunes on the album, ranging from "That's How I Like It" to "The Way. " "Rockin LIttle Tune" is a fun, affectionate tribute to touring and the fans. "The Crawl" is a defiant, midtempo number with an undeniably catchy crescendo and refrain. "Jake" is a solid "outlaw" type tune. Tunes like "Life's Lessons" shows an appealing pop-sheen not commonly associated with the Skynyrd sound. Look, these guys are not legends. Rather this version of Skynyrd consists of veteran pros who effectively use a formula to deliver the goods for our enjoyment. Ironically, the stinker on the album is its only hit, "Red, White and Blue. " I always skip it. It's the worst tune penned by anyone under the Skynyrd banner. It is non-melodic and the lyrics are clunk-city. Words are crammed mercilessly into the clunkiest phrases. Lines like "We don't read that magazine GQ . . . If you got soul we hang out with people just like you . . . Smokin' camels and drinking domestic brews"?!?! Sheesh! Who in the heck, since 1987, does read GQ? What an outdated reference. And that refrain. Oy! It is such a tortured refrain, that it has to go from "white" to "red" to "blue. " The song sticks out in the album in a way that mars it. Overall, though, if you enjoy southern rock and don't go in expecting legends, then you will be very entertained by this album. It's fun! . Overproduced, hit and miss in quality of songs A lot of the songs are corny, corny enough for country music radio. Skynyrd is my all time favorite band, but their writing on this album just doesn't do the real band's legacy justice. Red, white and blue--geez, gimme a break. CORN! And then other songs that are somewhat better, like "The Way" are just way overproduced with strings and junk. It's like they're trying to make the song better by laying on more and more production, until it starts sounding like the 1812 Overture. How about some raw, guitar-bass-drums-piano driven rock and roll? THAT'S what Skynyrd is mostly known for. This just doesn't cut it. What Gov't Mule and the North Mississippi Allstars have done lately (barring the Mule's latest crappy reggae album) is more of an extension of true Southern Rock than what the current version of Skynyrd is doing here. Avoid this if you're looking for true Skynyrd quality music, and check out Gov't Mule and the North Mississippi Allstars!. Excellent The Gimme Back My Bullets remake with Kid Rock is cool and an interesting take on the original. This is an excellent album - the best "new" line-up album, in my opinion. Well worth the money! . The South Still Rocks! There are others but this is the starting line up to define some of the greatest American music, certainly the best regional music. Wow! Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd. With Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen representing the east coast and Nirvana and Metallica representing the west, I'll give them credit, but I'll stay southern for now. . Now, what about Vicious Cycle? It is an album that combines the talents of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, and the Outlaws. That is a heck of a talent pool and they brought their "A" game. There is a strong blend of instrumental talent mixed with great lyrical writing and performing. Again, WOW! Dead Man Walkin' jumps right into Hangman's Jury by Aerosmith. As a matter of fact when I create my own Cds, I usually back one with the other. Very pointed lyrics, too. Red, White, and Blue has become a widely played American anthem. All Funked Up is a great tongue-in-cheek rocker. Hell or Heaven echoed words from my mother. I really get a little choked up when I hear it. Pick `em Up and That's How I like it are very mentionable songs. Good Rockin' stuff. There is another cut of Mad Hatter that I appreciate but could do without. I could do without Kid Rock doing Gimme Back My Bullets altogether. Bottom-line is that this is a good rockin' CD. Skynyrd has evolved and grown. We all miss the group that put out Pronounced, Second Helpings, and Street Survivors. But even that group had to develop and grow or they would have faded away. This CD is truly in the Skynyrd tradition. Enjoy. . Lynyrd Skynyrd - A Mix Of Country And Rock 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. Over the years the lines between southern rock and country have become blurred. 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. . You can see a complete list of all Lynyrd Skynyrd discography, or go back to the Lynyrd Skynyrd tabs