Customer Reviews

Twenty

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, some may argue that it's not REALLY Skynyrd, without Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Allen Collins. And there's some merit to that. There's a distinct break between the original Skynyrd and the post "1991" recordings. BUT, this is a very solid effort in its own right. Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkerson and Billy Powel provide the Skynyrd base, and Rickey Medlock (Blackfoot) and Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws) pile on the licks. All these guys can play, and Johnny Van Zant does a fine job singing. If you like guitar driven rock that doesn't try to bash your head in, this is a great disc. Don't buy it just for the Lynyrd Skynyrd name.

TWENTY is Skynyrd's first great studio album since the crash. The opener, "We Ain't Much Different", "Never Too Late", "O.R.R.", and "None Of Us Are Free" are powerful, socially-concious appeals for peace, unity, and change, "Home Is Where The Heart Is" is a travelling song, and "Bring It On", "Talked Myself Right Into It", and "Berniece" provide pure-blood barroom rock & roll. "Voodoo Lake" portentously describes a rural witch. The other tracks aren't particularly noteworthy, but the ones mentioned above more than make up for them.

I've always wondered as to why after so many years,that all of a sudden,a band called Lynyrd Skynyrd had started to tour and record when the three key members were killed in a plane wreck in 1977.The answer is simple:FAN DEMAND.As I've seen the new Skynyrd twice now,I could see that THIS band was,in fact Lynyrd Skynyrd in spirit,name and force.The name was just TOO big to stay at rest.Two members that've joined up,former Blackfoot guitarist Rick Medlock and former Outlaws guitarist Hugh Thomasson certainly do breathe new life into Skynyrd.Some of the better tracks here are "Bring It On","Home Is Where The Heart Is","Never Too Late" and the newly done version of "Travelin' Man" where the vocals by both Ronnie and Johnny Van Zant are mixed in.Long live southern rock!!

Despite the tragic loss of the majority of the band in a plane crash, Lynyrd Skynyrd carries on the banner of southern rock with pride. With a fresher, more alive 90's sound, Johnny Van Zant picks up where his brother left off. Strong vocals, and the same driving guitars fuel an overall excellent album. Be forewarned- if you were a dedicated fan of the original Skynyrd, then you might have a hard time adjusting to the new vocals. For any rock fan though, this is an album that can be appreciated and listened to.

When I first heard this record, the name Lynyrd Skynyrd was only slightly familiar, and I had never heard any of their music before. I loved it the first time I heard it, and was quite melancholy when my room-mate, whose disk it was, moved away and left me once again Skynyrdless. Finnaly, I went looking for it around town, but could only find Thyrty, a box set of two disks. I only listen to disk two, which is very good, but I still miss Twenty.

In short, this is a wonderful CD, and my favorite rock album. Buy it! (For me.)

If you love the old stuff,well this cd is for you.I have had it for about 3 months.I play it everyday.It dosnt seem to get old and boring.When music is good,you can listen to it everyday.They have some ballards,some old time rock and roll.But you listen to it,it seems the old band hasnt lost a beat! icq 2475649

Although there are 3 members from the REAL Skynyrd in this "new group", it just doesn't have that signature Skynyrd sound. The only reasons to buy this CD is for "Travelin' Man", in which (due to today's recording technology) Johnny Van Zandt gets to sing with his late brother Ronnie, which I found very moving. The only other song that even comes close to being worthy to bear the Skynyrd name is "Bring It On".

Score another one for Lynyrd Skynyrd! Who would've thought that the band would survive through the 90's? Well, they did, and their songs are as deliciously enjoyable as ever. This album is, without a doubt, an excellent one. The songs still have that fresh loveable Skynyrd sound that we all know and love. True, Ronnie van Zant and Steve Gaines are unfortunately long gone (may they Rest in Peace), but the band still lives on.

I really admire the songs here. "We Ain't Much Different" and "Bring it On" are magnificent. "Voodoo Lake" is moody and properly attention-grabbing. "Home is Where the Heart Is" is perfect for a ride on a long desert road. The impressive "Travelin' Man" is easily one of the catchiest songs on this album. "Talked Myself Right into It" features the typical lively Sykynrd sound, and it would make the most hardcore Southern Rock fan to dance while it plays. "Never Too Late" is one of my personal favorites on this album: the music and lyrics are absolutely astonishing. "O.R.R." and "Blame it on a Sad Song" feature more musical goodness. The final three songs ("Berneice," "None of us are Free," and "How Soon We Forget") are pure gold.

I would rank Twenty the same as the first two albums (Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd and Second Helping). This is a great accomplishment from the newer Skynyrd, and it should really please even the most unsatisfied purists.

Grade: 9.8 out of 10

Also from Lynyrd Skynyrd
Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd (9.8 out of 10) (Pronounced 'L?h-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)
Second Helping (9.8 out of 10) Second Helping
Nuthin' Fancy (9.9 out of 10) Nuthin' Fancy
Gimme Back my Bullets (9.8 out of 10) Gimme Back My Bullets
Street Survivors (9.9 out of 10) Street Survivors
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (9.6 out of 10) Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (Original Recording Remastered)
The Last Rebel (9 out of 10) Last Rebel
Endangered Species (9.6 out of 10) Endangered Species

What a COOL CD you got to add this one to your collection for sure if you like Skynyrd, I do !!!!!

The latter day version of Skynyrd sometimes takes a lot of flack, but I think they have put out some of the best music of the band's long career. "Twenty" is one of the best examples of this in my opinion. This is prime southern rock and for me ranks up with the best material the band have done. The addition of former Outlaw Hughie Tomlinson to the lineup seems to have really added a spark to this album. The guitar interplay between Tomlinson and former Blackfoot leader Rickey Medlocke is often inspired and rocking. The songwriting is all strong here and the band amp it up over the course of the album's 12 tracks. I really like every song on the disc. As an added bonus the album features "Travelin Man" as a duet with the late Ronnie and Johnny Van Zandt sharing vocals. If you have never given the reformed Skynyrd a chance you might want to give this album a spin. Regardless of how you think about whether this is the "real" Skynyrd or not, this is a damn fine southern rock album and may be the best of the band's career.