Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums Ranked
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. The group was originally named My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar) and Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under a variety of different names and with several lineup changes before finally deciding on “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1969. The band released their first album in 1973, having settled on a lineup that included bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell and guitarist Ed King. Burns would later be replaced by Artimus Pyle, and King by Steve Gaines. At the height of their fame during the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. Here are all of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s albums ranked.
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14. Christmas Time Again (2000)
“Oooh, I wish Lynyrd Skynyrd had recorded the entire album. The other guest artists are good, but Lynyrd contributes the most memorable and best-crafted tracks. We love these songs, and play them all the time at home around Christmas. They are more mellow than you would expect, and bring out a side to the band that they should explore more often.”
13. The Last Rebel (1993)
“The sophomore studio album by the Reformed Skynyrd Band, and the first to feature Johnny Van Zant’s now familiar growl in his voice. ‘The Last Rebel’, by their own admission, is Gary Rossington, the lone survivor of the groups original nucleus, as Allen Collins had recently died. The album has a country music feel to it, if you gave country music a kick in the @$$. All in all, a fine follow up to ‘1991’, and both are worthy of the Skynyrd legacy.”
12. Twenty (1997)
“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.”
11. Edge of Forever (1999)
“This is a sold album, but not anywhere near as good as the band’s first 3 or 4 releases. Johnny Van Zandt does a credible job filling in for his late brother Ronnie … a thankless job really, because no matter how good he is, well he is NOT Ronnie!”
10. Vicious Cycle (2003)
“The first seven tracks of Vicious Cycle are excellent. They are varied, catchy, melodic and enjoyable. A particular treat is “The Way”. However, later on, the songs become devoid of any hooks or charm. It’s been padded out too much. If they had seven excellent tracks and about three rubbish ones, I’d say fair enough. Why can’t albums by Lynyrd Skynyrd just be ten tracks and last for thirty-five to forty minutes? That worked before.”
9. Lynyrd Skynyrd (1991)
“Nine of the eleven tunes are great, but give it a couple listens before you judge, considering the tragedy it was not well recieved but is the best L.P. overall that Johnny Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd has produced so far in my opinion.
This is my 2nd copy I wore the first one out. Skynyrd has always been my favorite band ever, but this L.P. did not get any airplay with the exception of Smokestack Lightning which is not my favorite on the L.P. should be re-released w/ videos give it a listen it’s a killer.”
8. God & Guns (2009)
“This band was well over its heyday by the time I was old enough to appreciate music, so i learned of them thanks to the “classic rock” radio stations found all over the dial. Many longtime fans may disagree, but I would rather listen to this album than hear one of their dinosaur tracks which have been played to death. Many bands who are past their prime in sales are putting out albums which are comparable, or in the case of God & Guns, BETTER than what made them famous. Clear the cobwebs in your ears and give this a listen.”
7. Last of a Dyin’ Breed (2013)
“All I can really, truly say about this newest Lynyrd Synyrd album, without using an entire list of superlatives, is that it kicks ass! I purchased ‘Vicious Cycle’ and thought it was pretty good and that, finally, the latest version of Skynyrd, (with Johnny Van Zant as the front man), was finally developing it’s own sound instead of trying to reprise the glory days of Ronny Van Zant. So I purchased ‘God and Guns’ and was pretty disappointed in it. Still a new sound, but the vitality of the songs was missing somehow. So, with some doubt, I purchased this album, ‘Last of A Dyin’ Breed.’ S***! From the first couple of notes of the title song this album rocks! True southern rock sound and sentiments fans have come to love with all of the guitar this band is known for thrown in for good measure. This is the good ol’ boys at their (newest!) best.”
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6. Endangered Species (1994)
“I first found out about this album from my ex-wife. She had it in her car and I had to drive it to work one day. It has since become a staple in my music collection. (Stole the disc from her in the divorce too). The use of the mandolin stands out with the acoustic guitars and bass. Great classic tunes done front-porch style by one of the greatest rock bands of all time.”
5. Street Survivors (1977)
“This is the 5th & last studio album featuring the original line up of the Southern Rock Giant that was the original Lynyrd Skynyrd!! This album is hauntingly fore shadowing of the tragedy to come with the song “That Smell” & the album cover showing the band among the flames it is flat out eerie!!! As in my other reviews I strongly suggest you just purchase all 5 studio album’s featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original line up!!!”
4. Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
“Lynrd Skynyrd’s 4th album is strong & potent! When you understand the exhausting pace set once this band was signed to a major label you truly appreciate the strength of this 4th offering!!! I strongly recommend purchasing all 5 studio album’s of Skynyrd’s original line up. Many a Rock & Roll historian have theorized that had Lynyrd Skynyrd not been cut down in their prime they would have grown to become America’s equivalent of “The Rolling Stones”. I don’t doubt that a bit when you look at all the great bands that stand the test of time they all eventually reach a comfort zone where they start to experiment with different genres’ building a huge eclectic song catalogue!”
3. Nuthin’ Fancy (1975)
“Saturday Night Special’ gets things off to a great start (the most immediate song on the album) and ‘Cheating Woman’ continues the good work but some of the other songs take a bit longer to get under your skin. ‘I’m a Country Boy’ and ‘On the Hunt’ are the tracks which made the most impression on me (the CD features a live bonus version of ‘On the Hunt’ as well as the original version) whilst ‘Whisky Rock-a-Roller’ is not as exciting as the version on ‘One More from the Road’ and ‘Railroad Song’ (also featured as a live bonus track on the CD) is possibly my least favorite Skynyrd song ever. ‘Made in the Shade’ is a back to the roots unplugged bluesy thing whilst ‘Am I losing’ highlights the more gentle country-influenced side of the band.”
2. Second Helping (1974)
“Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second effort is a nice collection of songs that show their expanded versatile musical background. From blues to country to rock… these Westside Jacksonville, Florida bad boys can ‘bring it’ with the best of ’em. Showing from one song to the next how passionate they were with their music. Unfortunately, their career was but short-lived. The original (pre October 1977) Skynyrd is really the only line-up that I consider Skynyrd. The day Ronnie Van Zant died was the real ‘Day the Music Died’. I truly miss that rebel songwriting genius. If you are interested in going back down memory lane with Skynyrd or you are just now getting exposure to this legendary band, you should visit their first three albums.”
1. (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (1973)
“This was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album and what an album it was! It contains some of rock and roll’s greatest guitar ballads in Simple Man, Tuesday’s Gone and Free Bird. Also, the bar room classic “Gimme Three Steps” is found on this release. The album opens with “I Ain’t The One’ which, if you haven’t heard it, opens the album with bite or attitude in its staccato guitar licks. Gary Rossington’s abilities have placed him among some of the greatest guitarists though not as well known.”