Vicious Cycle

I know that I haven't done an album review in awhile and it's long overdue that I do one. Anyways, it doesn't mean that I haven't been listening to music lately, in fact I have. Too much of it... My girlfriend and I have been plundering and pillaging the local libraries for CD's to burn. One of these we got is Lynyrd Skynyrd's tenth studio album, Vicious Cycle.

I've always been a huge fan of Southern rock, it almost seems to run in my blood even though I never been south of the Mason/Dixie line. Somehow I can relate to whiskey swigging, hell raising lifestyle even though I'm a family man with a remote in hand. Mostly I think it is my love for the blues.

On Vicious Cycle, Lynyrd Skynyd delivers that same whiskey drinking and hell raising fun that I like. There are some killer bone crunching guitars, tickling piano and insightful lyrics, a perfect combination for a Skynyrd classic. But first, a little history lesson....

Since Lynyrd Skynyrd's reunion in 1987, the band has going through a perpetual lineup change. Gary Rossington, the only original guitarist left from the days of "Freebird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" leads the pack the triple guitar assault with a resounding force. The addition of ace guitar players Hughie Thomasson from the Outlaws and Ricky Metlocke from Blackfoot make this a spicy Cajan combination to behold. Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother, Johnny, who's insightful and colorful lyrics paints a vivid picture of the rebel raising south-in the all American way as seen tunes like "Red, White and Blue" and "That's How I Like It"

But what's missing here? It's hard not to compare this album (and others) to the classics of the pre-plane crash Skynyrd. This is really no challenge here. Though they try....Johnny tries his damnedest to follow the footsteps of his older brother, lacks the emotion and depth. Billy Powell's legendary spidery piano work, slowly is being overcome with an organ. Ean Evans, whom takes over the bass, clearly isn't the same caliber as the late Leon Wilkeson (he passed away during the sessions). Micheal Cartellone, the drummer from the Damn Yankees, does his best to fill in for the departed Artimus Pyle.

What's with Kid Rock doing with a remake of "Gimme Back My Bullets" ? THAT I cringed over hearing...

Maybe I'm wrong to compare oranges from peaches. This is a good album, no doubt. Second Helping and their debut are classics that stand the test time. If this were a brand new band, I may have another viewpoint. In the meantime, I'll tip my beer in favor of the band trying to keep the spirit of Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd alive....