That the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd ended on a tragic day in 1977 is known by everyone, no need to beat around the bush. What was is not coming back, and a charismatic figure like Ronnie Van Zant's cannot be replaced with a mere audition. On the other hand, it was understandable for the remaining members, years after the tragedy, to want to pick up the pieces and give a legacy to one of the most interesting artistic stories in the music scene of the seventies.

If the very first post-reunion lineup had its reason for being because it included virtually all the surviving historical members, on the other hand, the Skynyrd's usual inability to keep their musicians together for more than two albums in a row has over time become almost ridiculous, with continuous line-up changes, some, unfortunately, due to the passing of the musicians themselves.

And this is precisely the point. Today, the good Gary Rossington is, in fact, the historical memory of the group, the only one to have lived the Skynyrd saga in its entirety, a witness to a now non-existent era. Although the various lineup changes have always been handled with skill, as Johnny Van Zant has demonstrated to be the only one capable of even aspiring to carry on the discourse started years earlier by his brother, it must be asked what remains today of that group which garnered so much enthusiasm in its heyday. Besides the figure of Van Zant, the Americans' success was due to the infamous triple guitar attack of the Rossington-King-Collins trio, as well as the distinctive keyboard style of Billy Powell, another talent we lost too soon. Albums like "Second Helping" were the result of a very particular alchemy that was created, even before among musicians, among human beings. Inevitably, if these people, for one reason or another, are absent, their replacements, no matter how talented they may be, won't be the same. It's not about the quality of the final result; it's about what's being offered, pushing the more savvy listener to sometimes wonder how genuine is the musical offering of the group that currently tours under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Showing up with such a weighty name means, first of all, having to meet the expectations of millions of people who, having followed that artistic journey for decades in some cases, expect something very specific. But if those musicians who contributed to making that group great have been out of the game for a long time, one wonders if their illustrious replacements really feel free to express themselves when in front of a score or if they feel obliged to follow very specific directives, constantly torn between the need to propose something new and that of having to meet a public that, attached to what was done in the glory days, has very specific expectations and doesn't much like novelty.

Change the name? Madness. When you're lucky enough to work in a company like this, because, let's be honest, playing in such bands means being employees of well-oiled and demanded companies in the entertainment world, the last thing to do is to rid oneself of a well-known label that by itself guarantees tours and contracts.

So what to do? What the Lynyrd Skynyrd, for the last thirty years or so, have been doing with dignity, which is being the authors, regardless of the lineup at the time, of a well-played, engaging southern rock that is in line with the tradition, that is, with what the real Skynyrd did in the golden days. An operation that initially started as a pure tribute to the historical group, the current Lynyrd are considered in every respect an homage to the lineup of the best times, which occasionally also releases new material. Therefore, it is about giving their audience what they expect, nothing more, nothing less, with the historic name always prominently displayed on covers and posters, just as would be the case with any other commercial brand.

Of the new course of the Jacksonville group, this "Vicious Cycle" is usually considered one of their best works. Released in 2003, the group at the time was reeling from yet another loss, with the historical bassist Leon Wilkeson having passed away a couple of years earlier, just in time to record a handful of songs for an album of which he would never see the release. In his place for the occasion, Ean Evans had recently arrived, an old acquaintance of Hughie Thomasson, having lent his bass strings to the cause of the Outlaws about ten years earlier.

Musically, the coordinates on which the current Skynyrd move are practically the same that made the fortune of the seven Americans in the seventies, so warm and heartfelt southern where guitars and keyboards take turns being the protagonists. In its current incarnation, the Jacksonville group seems to press harder on a strong hard rock, a choice evidently also influenced by the musical experiences of the various Hughie Thomasson and Rickey Medlocke, while also leaving space for more radio-friendly tracks.

"That's How I Like It" opens the dance, a rocky and tight track, then leaving room for "Pick'em Up", embellished by a nice horn section. "Dead Man Walkin'" and "Red, White & Blue" are somewhat the cross and delight of the album, as well as an expression of what is the current course of the American group. Even the stones know that in Jacksonville, progressive ideas never really caught on too much, but in the full 2000s, it really takes guts to write such blatantly reactionary lyrics that, from a purely lyrical standpoint, can only be appreciated by some redneck fresh off a ranch in Arizona. This constant pushing of the button of strong patriotism is another of the substantial differences that distinguish these Skynyrd from those that were, who did address social issues but with far more elegance. And it's a shame because, musically, "Red, White & Blue" is one of the more valid tracks on the album.

"Sweet Mama" and "Rockin' Little Town" recall certain atmospheres that had made a track like "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" great, while tracks like "All Funked Up", "Crawl" and "Jake" fall into total anonymity, and frankly, it's hard to understand why a band like the Skynyrd, or at least wants to be the Skynyrd, should start imitating Nickelback. A different story, fortunately, for "Hell Or Heaven" and "Life's Lesson", heartfelt and substantial tracks, which once again underline what a talent Billy Powell was. The album closes with a remake of "Gimme Back My Bullets", wisely placed as a bonus at the end of the album: on the one hand, it's pleasing to see Rossington and company reinterpreting their repertoire without too many blinders, but on the other, one wonders how many can really appreciate the pseudo nu-metal arrangement complete with Kid Rock's rap insert.

The problem with the current Lynyrd Skynyrd, in the end, is simple: the quality is there, albums in recent years have rarely been slammed, also because the personalities involved have always been of absolute caliber, but what clashes is precisely that name on the cover. It's not enough to be called Lynyrd Skynyrd to be Lynyrd Skynyrd. Whatever they propose, they will always have to reckon with their past, or rather with Gary Rossington's past, being now the only one left from the historical group, and they themselves are aware of it, as they perform live almost exclusively songs from the golden days, as if the new studio albums were just an excuse to go on tour again and play "Free Bird" one more time.

The current Skynyrd are these, excellent musicians who, however, give the impression far too often of being now enslaved by the name to which they have so decided to bind themselves, a heavy legacy to bear. As can be inferred from listening to "Vicious Cycle," the attempt is not always successful, and it's a pity because, apart from a few misfires, it is a valid rock album. Common sense would suggest that, given the names involved and the musicians' skill, it might be high time to finally retire the historic brand after more than forty years and present themselves with a completely new one, cutting ties with a glorious past, perhaps too burdensome, yet at the same time, gathering the best of that experience. Too bad that those in Jacksonville seem to think otherwise.


"Vicious Cycle":

  1. That's How I Like It
  2. Pick'em Up
  3. Dead Man Walkin'
  4. The Way
  5. Red, White & Blue
  6. Sweet Mama
  7. All Funked Up
  8. Hell Or Heaven
  9. Mad Hatter
  10. Rockin' Little Town
  11. Crawl
  12. Jake
  13. Life's Lessons
  14. Lucky Man


Bonus:

  • Gimme Back My Bullets (with Kid Rock)


Lynyrd Skynyrd:

  • Johnny Van Zant, vocals
  • Gary Rossington, guitars
  • Rickey Medlocke, guitars and vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson, guitars
  • Ean Evans, bass
  • Leon Wilkeson, bass on "The Way" and "Lucky Man"
  • Billy Powell, keyboards
  • Michael Cartellone, drums
  • Carol Chase, backing vocals
  • Dale Krantz Rossington, backing vocals

Tracklist and Lyrics

01   That's How I Like It (04:35)

Let me tell ya,
Where I come from
it's grits and gravy
not champagne caviar
Got a pick up truck
this ain't no mercedes
That's who we are
ohhhhh
(Yeah I wouldn't change a thing)

I ain't no saint
sometimes a sinner
and I can't tell you why
but I get up every morning
thank the man above
(ohhhh wooo my life is good)
Let me tell ya how good

Like my women HOT and my beer ice cold
A real fast car and my whiskey old
Like a slow drive down an old dirt road
That's how I like it
I like to turn my music way up loud
Ain't nothing better than the sound of a crowd
American Flag it makes me proud,
Thats how I like it - wooooooooo aa

Listen now

Ain't no cell phone towers
you won't catch me online
Workin with my hands for hours
that's how I spend my time
And I don't stand in line for coffee
it ain't my cup of tea
Out here in the country
we got everything we need
oooooh woooooooooo
Yeah

Like my women HOT and my beer ice cold
A real fast car and my whiskey old
like a slow drive down an old dirt road
That's how I like it
I like to turn my music way up loud
Ain't nothing better than the sound of a crowd
American Flag makes me proud,
Thats how I like it

ohhhhhhh

wooooooo Thats how I like it

(whistle)

Like my women HOT and my beer ice cold
A real fast car and my whiskey old
like a slow drive down an old dirt road
That's how I like it
I like to turn my music way up loud
Ain't nothing better than the Skynyrd crowd
American Flag it makes me proud,
Thats how I like it
Thats why we like it
Thats how I like it
woooooo
mmmmmm
yeahhhhh

02   Pick 'em Up (04:22)

OOOOHHHHH Yeah

WOOO

well sometimes I lose my direction
and sometimes I jump off track, aaah

But when I hideout baby
I can always get it back

I need to feel the cool breeze in my face
The rumble of the engine between my legs
Hey little sister you can color me gone

So if I want to stay out all nite long
You can't stop me from runnin wild
yeah
Don't you worry how long I'm gone
I'll come back every once in awhile

(CHORUS)
I pick'em up and lay'em on down
I never like my feet to ever hit the ground
Don't miss me when I'm gone
Cuz' I'll be around
I'm a free spirit baby
Pick me up and lay me on down

Thats right........WOO

Well I know that I got me a good life
Jim Beam and woman they treat me right
I make my own rules, like it or not

Now don't miss understand me baby
I'll give in every once in awhile
Yeah well it's tough love
I'll leave you with a smile

So if I want to stay out all nite long
You can't stop me from runnin wild
yeah
Don't you worry how long I'm gone
I'll come back every once in awhile

(CHORUS)
I pick'em up and lay'em on down
I never like my feet to ever hit the ground
Don't miss me when I'm gone
Cuz' I'll be around
I'm a free spirit baby
Pick me up and lay me on down

OOOOH

I've been here I've been there
I've been every where
I wouldn't tell you no lies
And just like me your a wild one
Won't you take me runnin around

(CHORUS)
I pick'em up and lay'em on down
I never like my feet to ever hit the ground
Don't miss me when I'm gone
Cuz' I'll be around
I'm a free spirit baby
Pick me up and lay me on down

Yeah I'm a free spirit baby
pick me up and lay me on down

Ya gotta lay me on down, yes you do
I'm a free spirit
I know ya are Johnny

Oh thats what I do
WOOO.....

03   Dead Man Walking (04:32)

04   The Way (05:35)

05   Red White and Blue (05:35)

06   Sweet Mama (04:03)

07   Funked Up (03:35)

08   Heaven or Hell (05:15)

09   Mad Hatter (05:39)

We just landed
We just touched down
It just hit home yeah that a good man's gone
Hey cat in the hat
We're all gunna miss you
And all of your practical jokes yeah
And takin three steps with you

(Chorus)
We never say goodbye we always say so long
You had nine lives I can't believe their all gone
Mad hatters movin' on yeah he's movin on

Well I will see you again one way or another
And now that your there yeah say "Hello" to our brothers

(Chorus)

The cat in the hat is gone

oooooooo

Travelin' man the spirits never gone
It lives on and on and on and on

Mad hatter mmmmmmmmmmm

ooooooooo

So how 'bout our tribute
And light up a match
And tell all your brothers and sisters about the cat in the hat
He had nine lives I cant believe there all gone
I know the mad hatter he's movin on
Mad hatters movin on
Oooooohhh he's gone
Travelin' on travel on
Ooooooooo
Oooooo
Mad haters movin on see ya later

10   Rockin' Little Town (03:39)

11   Crawl (05:11)

Mmmmmmmm

Your love does something to me
That I can't describe
Dark eyes, see right through me
and I just can't hide

You drive me crazy with what you don't say
and the way that you hold back love
Tell me tell me won't you please please tell me
Need an answer from above

There you are,you're my desire
and here I am, I'd be a liar
If I said, I ain't gonna crawl
You ain't gonna nail my heart to the wall
You ain't gonna find me crying like a chid
just asking for it all
I ain't gonna beg
I'd rather lose it all instead

If that's what it takes to get you
Part of me just might let you
Someone like you, I'd do more than fall
I just might crawl

Ohhhh

Seems like I get this feeling
this time of night
Head down sense's reeling
Something just ain't right

Imagination locked up inside
and it's got no where to go
I see my lover through another's eyes
and it's killing me just to know, the truth
Like playing with fire, to lose you
I'd be a liar, if I said

I ain't gonna crawl
You ain't gonna nail my heart to the wall
You ain't gonna find me crying like a chid
just asking for it all
I ain't gonna beg
I'd rather lose it all instead

If that's what it takes to get you
Part of me just might let you
Someone like you, I'd do more than fall
I just might crawl

Ohhhhhh

I just might crawl

Ohhhhhh

Ooooooooo

I ain't gonna crawl
You ain't gonna nail my heart to the wall
You ain't gonna find me crying like a chid
just asking for it all
I ain't gonna beg
I'd rather lose it all instead

If that's what it takes to get you
Part of me just might let you
Someone like you, I'd do more than fall
I just might crawl

Crawl...
Sooner or later, we all fall
Crawl...

Mmmmmmm

12   Jake (03:43)

13   Life Lessons (06:01)

14   Lucky Man (05:37)

15   Red White and Blue (alternate version) (05:36)

16   Gimme Back My Bullets (feat. Kid Rock) (03:41)

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