Vicious Cycle

Lynyrd Skynyrd | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0000996IO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #99 in Music > Classic Rock > Southern Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Effort from the "new" Skynyrd, June 26, 2003

By 

L. Lawhead "LSquared" (SW Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vicious Cycle (Audio CD)

I've been a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan for 30 years, and had the opportunity to see the "original" lineup twice. The current version of the band is, quite simply, a different band. This list of people gone (Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Allen Collins, Artimus Pyle, Rob Burns, Ed King, Leon Wilkerson are gone, only Gary Rossington and Billy Powell remain). But this is A GOOD band. A band that can rock with anybody. A band that deserves to be heard. The people who want to get all angst ridden about the use of the Skynyrd name are welcome to gripe, but I'd rather turn up the music and enjoy. The realities of the music industry dictate that the use of the name gets these guys a record deal, and an opportunity to keep maikng music. So Be It. Call them whatever you want, this is a Southern Rock group featuring the guitar talents that drove Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws and Blackfoot. Pretty strong credentials. Johnny Van Zant is a very capable singer, and Billy Powel defines southern rock boogie piano. The drummer de-jour and new bass player do fine.

Vicious Circle is a very strong record, and has a real energy about it. The "harder" influence of Ricky Medlocke (think Blackfoot) is a bit more evident here, he even sings a bit. I'd rate this record among the best of the post-crash albums, which is not faint praise. Way better than most of "Rossington Collins Band", and no dogs like "Money Man" from "1991".

The pre-crash Lynyrd Skynyrd belongs in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. But this record still rocks.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SKYNYRD'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCKKK, May 25, 2003

By 

Skynyrd Fan "t_iceman99" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vicious Cycle (Audio CD)

Johnny Van Zant and the rest of the Crew in Lynyrd Skynyrd are back with their first studio album in 4 years entitled "Vicious Cycle." (Last one being "Edge of Forever" in 1999), and by far one of Skynyrd's best as a whole. Skynyrd shows their full talent on songs such as "Crawl," "Heaven or Hell," "Life's Lessons," and "Lucky Man." The tribute to the late bassist of the group, Leon Wilkeson - "Mad Hatter" is brilliant. This album spans the generations. Hard Rock songs such as "That's How I Like It," "All Funked Up," "Jake," and the "Gimme Back My Bullets" version are sweet. This album is better than all but "The Last Rebel" from the new Skynyrd (1987-Current).

VERY WORTH GETTING!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flat Out 5 Star Southern Kick @ss Rock & Roll Album...., December 31, 2003

By 

"The Woj" (Downers Grove, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vicious Cycle (Audio CD)

There are all sorts of preconceived notions attatched to anything carrying the Lynyrd Skynyrd name. Why? Ronnie Van Zant was (still "is" in my book) one of the greatest rock 'n' roll frontmen the good ole U.S. of A. every spit forth. There is no way any work done by any incarnation of "Lynyrd Skynyrd" can ever live up to the bands initial albums with Ronnie. Having said that, this one comes darn close! Anyone listening to this album with an open mind, unaware of what band they were listening to, without any "preconceived notions" as I stated before, would have to agree this is one of the best "Southern Rock" records of the past 10-15 years. Great vocals, lyrics, songwriting and the key to any great rock record, flat out balls to the wall, Marshalls set on 10 guitar! The listener would be more than pleasantly suprised when finding out it this is a Lynyrd Skynyrd album. Of course the guitar licks are "so" classic triple guitar Skynyrd it would be hard not to peg this as Skynyrd album from the outset. Ronnie, Allen, Steve & Leon musta sent down some heavy rockin', @ss kickin', postive vibrations for this one (I love the little "Free Bird" whistle thrown in at the end of "Red, White, & Blue").
People out there say "Skynyrd" fizzled & faded away long ago on that fateful day back in 1977. To those doubters all I have to say is "you don't know what you're missing!". Lynyrd Skynyrd is alive and well....they always will be in the heart of any dedicated fan! Rock On!!