General Information

Original Author: Stevie-Ray-Vaughn

Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Album: Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd

Genre: Southern Rock

Tracklist

01. I Ain't The One
02. Tuesday's Gone
03. Gimme Three Steps
04. Simple Man
05. Things Goin' On
06. Mississippi Kid
07. Poison Whiskey
08. Free Bird

Sound

9 In my oppinion, this is one of the greatest albums ever made. Now Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album may not be downtuned metal guitar songs, but it does contain some of the most beautiful guitar melodies, piano lines, and lyrics that I have ever had. If you ever need a break from heavy metal, this album is definately worth considering.

Guitar

8 By no means is the giutar on this album comparable to Paul Gilbert or Marty Friedman, but the triple guitar attack of Gary Rossington, Allen Collins and Ed King creates a sound that only Lynyrd Skynyrd could pull off. This album also contains the 5 minute long solo to "Free Bird" which shows how much can be done with 5 notes (pentatonic scale). The other guitar solo that stands out to me on this album is "Simple Man." The raw emotion that Rossington lets out in this solo is unimaginable. Great guitar work guys!

Bass

5 Released in 1973, not a whole lot of people were doing anything complex on bass. For the most part, the bass on this album just follows the rhythm guitar, but does keep a steady beat, and carries the song during the triple guitar solo attacks.

Drums

7 Again, as with bass, there is a lot of simplicity on the drums, however Bob Burns utilizes the simplicity so well to make it sound incredible! It would have been nice to see something a little more difficult technique-wise on drums though.

Vocals

10 I know in my last review I said I wouldn't give a 10 on vocals to just anyone, but Ronnie Van Zant was, imo, one of the greatest vocalists ever, and Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd is his finest work! His southern sounding voice could not fit the music any better than it does. He can sing the low notes, but belt out the high, long ones as well! Great vocals on this album!

Lyrics

9.5 This album contains what could be my favorite song lyrically. Simple Man! It also contains the song "Gimme Three Steps", not a whole lot of metaphors going on or anything, but a great story that you might get a laugh out of

From "Simple Man"

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... dont live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and youll find love,
And dont forget son,
There is someone up above.

And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Wont you do this for me son,
If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich mans gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

Boy, dont you worry... youll find yourself.
Follow you heart and nothing else.
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

From "Gimme Three Steps"

I was cutting the rug
Down at a place called the jug
With a girl named linda lu
When in walked a man
With a gun in his hand
And he was looking for you know who.
He said, hey there fellow,
With the hair colored yellow,
Watcha tryin to prove?
cause thats my woman there
And Im a man who cares
And this might be all for you.

I was scared and fearing for my life.
I was shakin like a leaf on a tree.
cause he was lean, mean,
Big and bad, lord,
Pointin that gun at me.
I said, wait a minute, mister,
I didnt even kiss her.
Dont want no trouble with you.
And I know you dont owe me
But I wish youd let me
Ask one favor from you.

wont you give me three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps
Gimme three steps mister,
And youll never see me no more.

Overall

9 As I said before, this is one of my favorite albums, containing one of my 2 favorite vocalists and some of the best guitar melodies you will ever hear! Plus, any album that contains Free Bird has got to be good, right?