Street Survivors, Lynyrd Skynyrd's fifth album, was the last album before the 1977 plane crash that claimed guitarist Steve Gaines and lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant. The album, obviously, was not intended to be their swan song, but a new beginning for a band that had become a bit repetitive.

The album begins with "What's Your Name," a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the rock-and-roll lifestyle. Some may criticize this song as sexist, but to me, the underlying humor is evident. Now we move on to "That Smell." Where do I begin? Well, I'll start with the arrangement. There are seven members of this band, including THREE guitarists. How these guys all played together without stepping on each others' toes I'll never fathom. Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Gaines all manage to play great guitar parts without sounding like each other. Van Zant's lyrics(reportedly directed at Rossington) are blunt, straightforward, and cautionary about, yes, the rock-and-roll lifestyle. Actually, it's the dark side of "What's Your Name."

"One More Time" is a song originally recorded in 1971 and reworked for this album. Amazing bass work from Leon Wilkeson and caustic lyrics really distinguish this tune. "I Know A Little" is a Texas-swing style scorcher with jaw-droppingly amazing guitar parts, courtesy of Gaines. Again, Van Zant sings this one with a wink and a nudge.

"You Got That Right" contains a first on a Skynyrd song: dual lead vocals. Ronnie Van Zant had never shared the lead-vocal mike with anyone before, but this time Gaines steps up. His higher-pitched, soulful voice complements Van Zant's perfectly.

It is impossible to overstate Steve Gaines' influence on this album; indeed, on Skynyrd themselves. He was quite possibly the best of the many guitarists in Skynyrd's history. He completely revitalized a band that sounded a bit tired on their previous studio offering, 1976's Gimme Back My Bullets.

"I Never Dreamed" is dynamically varied, with Van Zant abandoning his macho pose momentarily and letting some vulnerability show. Next is a cover of Merle Haggard's "Honky Tonk Nighttime Man." This country stomper boasts awe-inspiring piano playing by Billy Powell. Van Zant sounds like he's having the time of his life, which, given his love for Haggard's music, he might have been.

The album ends with "Ain't No Good Life," a bluesy guitar workout with Gaines on lead vocals, where he again turns in a gutsy effort.

It's all too obvious that this was a band on an upward trend brutally stopped short by the October 20, 1977 plane crash. It would have been interesting to see what they would have done next. Instead, they re-formed in 1987 with Ronnie's little brother Johnny, replacing original members along the way, putting out lackluster albums, and ultimately evolving into a sort of Southern-Rock-All-Star-Band, with members of the Outlaws and Blackfoot. Street Survivors is a picture of Skynyrd as they were in 1977, and, perhaps, a glimpse at what could have been.

Recommended: Yes