This is my first real dive into southern rock, and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. I expected Lynyrd Skynyrd to be good based solely on their popularity, but there's also a good amount of real sophistication in the music, both lyrically and technically. There's some complexity in the music that I genuinely wasn't expecting and really helps to strengthen it's basis as very heavily "country" and also push itself beyond that; the uses of different unconventional instruments in different songs is namely very well done and helps the songs stand out amongst each other, and I'm sure from other music that's similar. I think that there's also a good deal of inspiration from, or at least similarity to, country and R&B from the early-mid 1900's here that also really reinforce the general sound. Speaking of sound, it's pretty good. Allen Collins on guitar and Ronnie van Zant singing especially stand out as really great; Collins' solos and general backing were top notch throughout (Free Bird alone proves that), and Zant really helped take the lyrics to a new level with his surprisingly refined voice, accent and all. The songs are all solid too, with a good variety between them and not really a bad track on the album. I'd say that this is one of the those albums that I'll occasionally get an urge to listen to and love it every time. Highlights: Tuesday's Gone, Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man, Things Goin' On, Free Bird.
Rating: 5/6
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