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Lynyrd Skynyrd
Street Survivors


4.5
superb

Review

by masada USER (32 Reviews)
June 23rd, 2005 | 23 replies


Release Date: 1977 | Tracklist


Obviously, everyone has heard of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Whether it be a die-hard fan, or a cynic determined to criticize the band for being drawling southernor's that produced songs like "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama". Those two songs, actually, will probably haunt Lynyrd Skynyrd's career for the rest of time. I mean, if it's in a KFC commercial, it's not going to die. Despite those songs though, Lynyrd Skynyrd's album tracks, and albums as a whole, have been rather good.

Street Survivors was Lynyrd Skynyd's last album, before regrouping in 1987. It was released just three days before the infamous and tragic plane crash in Mississippi, in 1977, that claimed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and manager Dean Kilpatrick's lives. Too many, and especially myself, it is Lynyrd Skynyrd's best, and most diverse album.


"What's Your Name" is an extremely catchy tune about a bar fight involving one of their roadies. The production is rather clean, and horn parts add an extra punch that makes the song even better. The song is almost instantly recognizable if you have heard it, and if you haven't, you may think that you have heard it before, but you could never quite put your finger on it. "That Smell" is fairly reminiscent of Gimme Back My Bullets in the sense that the production makes the song sound very dark, which matches with the lyrical content. The lyrics of the song are based on an incident where Gary Rossington was driving under the influence, and passed out. He hit into a tree and did thousands of dollars of damage., and had almost died. Next, after the rather depressing "That Smell", is "One More Time". The song is actually one of the oldest Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, and predates most of their other songs. The song is fairly slow, with a strecthed out, almost crooning chorus, and adds diversity to the first side of the album. "I Know a Little" is a great, fast paced song. The opening almost sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd had suddenly become interested in big band music, but the song goes into the normal Lynyrd Skynyrd fare.

The second half of the album is, surprisingly, just as good as the opening half. "You Got That Right" is another upbeat Lynyrd Skynyrd rocker, similar to "What's Your Name" and "I Know a Little". Although it isn't the best track on the album, it keeps the flow perfectly and adds to the happy mindset that they were in at the time. "I Never Dreamed" is an introspective ballad that deals with the priorities Ronnie now faced after the birth of his daughter, Melody. To end the album, we have two more, good songs. The cover of a Merle Haggard song in "Honky Tonk Night Time Man". Although it is a good song, I don't think it belongs on the album, and does not fit well with the rest of the songs. "Ain't No Good Life" ends the album on a more upbeat note, as is most of the album, and is a great way to end the album, and seems like a great farewell, even if it wasn't purposefully like that.

In conclusion, I think that this is Lynyrd Skynyrd's best album. With the addition of Steve Gaines, the band had gained confidence and were happy about their place in the world, and it shows in the songs. It's sad that they have never really been able to produce something as good as this since then. Sure, the album isn't always recognized or mentioned among casual Lynyrd Skynyrd fans. Sure, they weren't the raw, boozed up band. But this is definately their best album.



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user ratings (203)
4
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
NEDM
June 23rd 2005


1113 Comments


I guess you really liked my format, ehh?


http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=2554

masada
June 23rd 2005


2733 Comments


Why yes, I do. ;)

AeroZeppelin1
June 19th 2006


142 Comments


change the date of the release, its not 2005, it was released in 1979, CHANGE THAT! its annoying but anyways, i think yer review is good and covers everything well, good job but please edit the date, thank you

masada
June 19th 2006


2733 Comments


i wrote the review before there were release dates, thank you

AeroZeppelin1
June 19th 2006


142 Comments


alrighty thx i see now

Zesty Mordant
June 19th 2006


1196 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I dig this album, but not as much as Pronounced 'Leh-nerd Skin-nerd'.

"That Smell", "One More Time" and "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" are all brilliant.

masada
June 19th 2006


2733 Comments


"That Smell" is probably my least favorite. Haven't listened to this album in ages.

AeroZeppelin1
June 19th 2006


142 Comments


wow^^^ i love That Smell though i dont think it's as good as Simple Man or Tuesday's Gone but its up there i'd say i like it as much as The Ballad of Curtis Leow which is another great one

blink44racer
February 24th 2007


15 Comments


AeroZeppelin...shame on you. this album was released in 1977. October 17th to be exact. Ronnie Van Zant was already dead in 1979.

blink44racer
February 24th 2007


15 Comments


Also, i would have to say that this was their most country/blues influenced album by far.

mark7477
August 23rd 2010


414 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

One of my personal skynyrd favorites definitely lot stronger sounding compared to gimmie back my bullets.

linguist2011
March 2nd 2012


2656 Comments


A nice little rocker, this really gets me in the mood to watch a western. Great band.

joe2m
June 9th 2012


2 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Great album but not my personal favorite. I actually prefer "freebird" lol. I love guitar and their earlier work was a bit more bluesy guitar driven stuff. Non the less this CD is no stranger to my player!!

rockandmetaljunkie
July 2nd 2012


9660 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Their best effort since "Second Helping".

DikkoZinner
August 28th 2014


5370 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Play some Skynyrd

manosg
Emeritus
September 30th 2014


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"Their best effort since "Second Helping"."



Agreed. I actually prefer "Second Helping" to this one.

MrSirLordGentleman
January 18th 2015


15343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

That Smell is so good

MrSirLordGentleman
February 26th 2015


15343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I smell that smell



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj2rxFS0qDQ

MrSirLordGentleman
July 24th 2015


15343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The original cover should've stayed

BigHans
July 24th 2015


30959 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I Never Dreamed is a ballad among ballads song is a tune



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