Gold & Platinum

Amazon.com

While not as comprehensive as their self-titled box set, this greatest-hits collection is an excellent introduction to the definitive Southern-rock band. If you’ve always wondered why people holler "Free Bird!" at bar bands, this album will show you, along with serving up several of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s best songs: "Saturday Night Special," "What’s Your Name," "Tuesday’s Gone," and of course "Sweet Home Alabama." Some lesser-known but equally great songs are here as well: "Gimme Three Steps," "Whiskey Rock-a-Roller," and "That Smell." While some good material (notably "Needle and the Spoon" and "Working for MCA") is missing, this remains an excellent collection, highlighting the quality of the band’s material, which is too often overshadowed by their good ol’ boy image. –Genevieve Williams