So, Lynyrd Skynyrd released a new album. I'm a Skynyrd fan, so I went in with high expectations. Sure it's post-plane crash, but Ronnie's brother is singing now, it can't be too bad, can it?

Well, the answer, very saddeningly, is a resounding yes. He's nowhere as gifted as his brother was, nor is the rest of the new lineup, which is everyone except Gary, who I'm pretty sure didn't write much on it anyway. It's not a completely horrible album(See: Queen + Paul Rodgers. Not terrible, but putting that next to Queen is just sad), it has it's moments, but they're few and far in-between, and calling this Skynyrd is a joke. Gone is the peppy, bluesy, borderline hard-rock vibe with cheery, if at times dark, lyrics from one of rock's best frontmen, replaced by his brother and an almost completely new band that frankly, with the fact one old member is left, doesn't even deserve to be called Lynyrd Skynyrd, replaced by metal-meets country, accompanied by whiny, pedantic, redneck lyrics that makes you understand why Ronnie was the Van Zant who got into the legendary band.

I couldn't even force myself to listen to all twelve tracks of this album. This is not Lynyrd Skynyrd, this is people who should've been left with their respective bands that're probably not that bad by themselves who're friends with Ronnie Van Zant's brother and Gary Rossington making noise. Not the endearing kind of noise I like, annoying, painful, stupid noise. It's not even So Bad It's Good, I cannot find any reason to justify this CD. I'm considering returning it, citing the difference between this monstrosity and albums like Pronounced, Street Survivors, and Nuthin' Fancy to make a claim of false advertising. It's really that bad, especially for a Skynyrd fan like myself. I cried when I heard Billy Powell died. It would seem now he was all that kept them from releasing this trainwreck. Billy, I miss you even more now.

Gary, you had a good run. You guys had four platinum albums, three of which are 2x platinum. You have five awesome albums, more than a lot of great bands can claim. Please, just hang up the flag, start a solo project we can either enjoy or, if you contributed heavily to this CD, ignore, and let Skynyrd die with dignity. And if you don't, well, Ronnie, Stevie, Allen, Leon, Billy, and still-living Ed, I'm sorry you guys have to endure this, and here's hoping Gary comes to his senses soon.

And on a final note, the second half of the title track and album name is just stupid and hypocritical from the band that brought you Saturday Night Special, a decidedly pro-gun control song.