by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Twenty marks the twentieth year since Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album, but perhaps a more relevant yardstick is that it is the fifth record the group has released since reuniting in the late '80s. Prior to recording Twenty, the group added two new members -- ex-Blackfoot Rick Medlocke and former Outlaw Hughie Thomasson -- virtually making the band a Southern rock supergroup, and that's part of the problem. There are too many egos involved to make the album truly captivating -- especially since the songwriting is usually undistinguished -- but occasionally, the star power gels and results in some hot rock & roll. In other words, specialists and aficionados will find plenty of stuff to enjoy here, but most casual fans will think that it's all been said before.