Vicious Cycle

Performer: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artist: Kid Rock
Engineer: Chris Rowe; Rob Robinson; Greg Motycka; Kevin Elson; Ben Fowler
Producer: Rob Robinson; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Rick Medlocke; Ben Fowler
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Lynyrd Skynyrd: Johnny Van Zant (vocals); Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson (guitar, background vocals); Gary Rossington (guitar); Billy Powell (keyboards); Ean Evans (bass); Michael Cartellone (drums); Carol Chase, Dale Krantz Rossington (background vocals). Additional personnel: Kid Rock. This includes a bonus DVD disc. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Johnny Van Zant (vocals); Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson (guitar, background vocals); Gary Rossington (guitar); Billy Powell (keyboards); Ean Evans (bass); Michael Cartellone (drums); Carol Chase, Dale Krantz Rossington (background vocals). Additional personnel: Kid Rock. Personnel: Rick Medlocke (vocals, guitar); Johnny Van Zant, Kid Rock (vocals); Rob Robinson (guitar, percussion, programming); Hughie Thomasson (guitar, background vocals); Gary Rossington, Chris Rollo (guitar); Biff Watson (acoustic guitar, bouzouki); Brent Rowan (tiple); Sam Levine (tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Steve Patrick (trumpet); Chris Dunn (trombone); John Hobbs, Jim Hobbs (Wurlitzer organ); Billy Powell (keyboards); Greg Morrow, Michael Cartellone (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Steve Crowder (sound effects); Dale Rossington, Carol Chase (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Ben Fowler. Recording information: Cartee-Day Studios; Emerald Studios; Studio Sea, Ft. Myers, FL; The Castle; The Rec Room. Photographers: Beth Gwinn; Michael Wilson . Having endured the loss of yet another bandmember with the passing of original bassist Leon Wilkeson, Skynyrd picks up the pieces yet again and delivers the goods the way only it can. Lyrically, the band hasn't stretched out its list of topics in any new directions, but quite honestly, who cares? This is Skynyrd. This isn't music to study to or scratch your chin by -- this isn't the soundtrack to relaxing nights sipping instant coffee and talking about deep feelings. This is homegrown music that's about partying and rock & roll, with a little bit of contemplative soul-searching mixed in for good measure. The music is still top-notch, probably the best it's been since the early '90s. And while the obvious absence of Ronnie VanZant will forever haunt the group like a bad plague, his brother has more than adequately been up to the task -- filling those giant shoes with the same passionate dirt and grit in his vocals as Ronnie did all those years ago. The band is the same, still rocking harder than most even after all these years. And for once the phrase "bonus track" lives up to that title; a duet of "Gimme Back My Bullets" between Skynyrd and nu-metal spokesman of the moment Kid Rock is simply the icing on the cake. Easily Skynyrd's best work in years and a welcome return to form for one of rock's most treasured assets. ~ Rob Theakston Guitarist Gary Rossington and keyboardist Billy Powell might be the only founding members left in this incarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but rest assured that the awesome legacy of these southern rock giants remains intact on VICIOUS CYCLE. Vocalist Johnnie Van Zandt continues to fill his late brother's shoes while former members of Blackfoot (Ricky Medlocke) and the Outlaws (Hughie Thomasson) keep the spirit of the South alive throughout this album released to commemorate the band's 30th anniversary. Still as down-home as when they first emerged from Jacksonville, Florida in the early '70s, the members of Skynyrd have penned songs about the working man ("That's How I Like It"), love of America ("Red White and Blue"), and the right to protect one's family ("Dead Man Walking".) Although original bassist Leon Wilkeson passed on during the recording of CYCLE, his spirit lives on via two tracks he played on before his death, the heartfelt "Lucky Man" and impassioned "The Way," and he's honored on the somber tribute "Mad Hatter." Skynyrd fan Kid Rock is the cherry on this southern rock sundae when he appears on a scathing bonus remake of the band's classic "Gimme Back My Bullets."

During their 1970s heyday, Lynryd Skynyrd emerged as the preeminent practitioners of Southern rock. Their triple-guitar attack and country-tinged songs carved a permanent spot on the playlists of classic rock radio. Since its first release in 1973 their epic hit "Freebird" has received more airplay than anything this side of "Stairway to Heaven." The tragic deaths of visionary lead guitarist Steven Gaines and lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zandt in a 1977 plane crash cut down the band at its peak; but after parting ways for several years, the surviving members re-formed the group, with Van Zandt's little brother Johnny at the helm.

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