1996’s Book of Shadows shows there was a time when Zakk Wylde was more interested in becoming the next Gregg Allman than the next Ozzy Osbourne. Most of the album gives little indication of Wylde’s virtuosity as a guitarist. Instead, it focuses on mood, songcraft, and emotion; most of the latter comes out in Wylde’s vocal performances, some of the best of his career. Though he'd soon be singing regularly as the leader of Black Label Society, there's something special about his presence on Book of Shadows. Because he isn't a singer by trade, his style's more direct. His vocals are the result of a need to speak his mind rather than a need to perform as a singer. “Throwin’ It All Away” is representative of the album’s tone. Dedicated to Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon, it's gloomy, gentle, and even vaguely sweet. Like the rest of Book of Shadows, it finds a middle ground between Guns N' Roses circa Lies and Neil Young circa After the Gold Rush.