Lynyrd Skynyrd - Last Of A Dyin' Breed (Album Review)
Friday, 14 September 2012
Written by Simon Ramsay
With over thirty million albums sold and enough tragedy experienced to have defeated most bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd could be forgiven for hanging up their spurs and enjoying a peaceful retirement. Fortunately, these guys are as tough as a tungsten wrecking ball. Whereas many ageing acts lose their inspiration and trundle towards the creative grave churning out sub standard slop for no other reason than to make money touring their hits (cough Queen cough), Skynyrd remain a force to be reckoned with. As such their eighth album since reforming in 1987 - following the plane crash a decade earlier that killed talismanic leader Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie – is a blinding piece of work from glorious start to exceptional finish.
There are two reasons Lynyrd Skynyrd are still making fantastic music. The first is the band's current line up. Since forming in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964 all but one of the group that played on 1973's début album ('Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd') have lost their lives. Only lead guitarist Gary Rossington remains and since 1987 he's steered the ship alongside singer, and younger brother of Ronnie, Johnny Van Zant. The three pronged guitar axis now consists of charismatic bad boy Rickey Medlocke, founding member of southern rock hard hitters Blackfoot, and Mark Matejka of the revered Charlie Daniels Band. Bass duties are handled by ex-Black Crowes member Johnny Colt, drums pounded by former Damn Yankee Michael Cartellone and keyboards played by, er, Peter Keys. Whereas constant changes in personnel usually dilutes the quality of a band's output Lynyrd Skynyrd have been galvanised by the injection of fresh blood and, comparatively, youthful energy. But most importantly, the new players are born and bread southern rock aficionados who grew up on Skynyrd songs, with a profound love and respect for the band's history. Thus, creating a healthy mix of modern hard rocking dynamics with the familiar feel of classic Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The contributions of producer Bob Marlette and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5, both returning after working on 2009's excellent 'God And Guns' album, is the other reason for Skynyrd's scintillating second wind. Marlette's production is loud and proud, boasting a vibrant vigour reminiscent of his work with modern day rock acts Black Stone Cherry and Shinedown. And whilst freaky John 5 co-writing with red blooded republicans seems an odd fit, their combined styles deliver an effervescent blend of time-honoured southern rock aesthetics saturated with fresh twists and turns.
Whereas 'God and Guns' was peppered with country rock overtones, 'Last Of A Dyin' Breed' is a full fat buffet of hard rock and boisterous blues, serving up enough toe tapping rhythms to cause Repetitive Strain Injury in your achilles tendon. The gas guzzling, ode-to-the-open-road title track hits the pedal against the metal as Matejka's bitchin' riff and Rossington's frisky Smokey and the Bandit slide manoeuvres make the whole world feel like it's ours for the taking. Medlocke's heavy rock influence kicks like a mule during 'Homegrown', as a dirty blues-metal groove echoing mid 90's Metallica dares Van Zant to boom to the peak of his leather lunged powers, as the slamming chorus wraps itself around a body moving bass line of the utmost cool. 'Good Teacher's' Hendrix worshipping wah-wah fretwork accompanies a narrative nod to the influence of Ronnie Van Zant and the stabbing outlaw fury of 'Life's Twisted' delivers a rolling intro reminiscent of the Bee Gees 'Staying Alive' beaten down by the hardships of Alabama living. Furthermore, 'Mississippi Blood' is a thrilling romp recalling 'The ballad of Curtis Loew' with a spirited dobro intro, funky swamp rock swagger and delicious vocal fisticuffs between Medlocke and Van Zant.
One of many highlights is 'One Day At A Time', a stirring cowboy strut whose wicked guitar interplay creates a wild west loping riff as Charles Bronson rides into town looking for trouble, before morphing into a soul searing anthem par excellence courtesy of an anthemic sing along chorus flavoured with glorious female backing vocals. All the while decorated by Van Zant's heart heavy message to cherish what we've got before it's gone, regardless of our troubles; “ain't no use in crying, what ain't dead is surely dying one day at a time”.
The whole album's overarching lyrical mantra is finding value in the life that's been given. From 'Nothing Comes Easy's' working class street fighting spirit to the closing acoustic blues hymn 'Start Livin' Life Again' there's an overwhelming awareness of mortality and the need to make every breath count, particularly during the album's two ballads. 'Something To Live For' sweetly coos as Rossington's slide emotes in a mellifluous Freebird style, building to a pleading anthemic hook as Van Zant cries out for 'something to believe in'. However, the real show stopper is 'Ready To Fly', a tear jerking piano led tale about a mother calling her family home as she's ready to die and wants to see her kids one last time. With gorgeous string and guitar melodies cradling each other as the song builds to a rousing finale it's one of the most affecting anthems Lynyrd Skynyrd have ever recorded. In lesser hands the lyrics could seem corny and sickeningly sentimental, but something about the southern way of life and their belief in family, work, friendship and honour bleeds into these songs, creating a genuine authenticity that's warm, fuzzy and infectious.
The perfect balance between the old and the new is what makes 'Last Of A Dyin Breed' such a cracking album. With 2009's 'God And Guns' Lynyrd Skynyrd confirmed they were alive and kicking, but now they've gone one better, ditching the anti Obama rhetoric and dubious political leanings in favour of a top notch rock & roll record that bleeds superlatives and is without doubt the best thing they've done since their seventies heyday. And from what Gary Rossington says there's definitely more to come “Bands like us are a dyin' breed and we're gonna keep going as long as people come out to see us. We just love playing live. That's our life. And while I'm still alive I just want to keep the band going, keep the Skynyrd name going, and to let people hear this music.” With albums this good, let's hope and pray that Mr Rossington is immortal.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Last of a Dyin' Breed' is available now.
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There are two reasons Lynyrd Skynyrd are still making fantastic music. The first is the band's current line up. Since forming in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964 all but one of the group that played on 1973's début album ('Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd') have lost their lives. Only lead guitarist Gary Rossington remains and since 1987 he's steered the ship alongside singer, and younger brother of Ronnie, Johnny Van Zant. The three pronged guitar axis now consists of charismatic bad boy Rickey Medlocke, founding member of southern rock hard hitters Blackfoot, and Mark Matejka of the revered Charlie Daniels Band. Bass duties are handled by ex-Black Crowes member Johnny Colt, drums pounded by former Damn Yankee Michael Cartellone and keyboards played by, er, Peter Keys. Whereas constant changes in personnel usually dilutes the quality of a band's output Lynyrd Skynyrd have been galvanised by the injection of fresh blood and, comparatively, youthful energy. But most importantly, the new players are born and bread southern rock aficionados who grew up on Skynyrd songs, with a profound love and respect for the band's history. Thus, creating a healthy mix of modern hard rocking dynamics with the familiar feel of classic Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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