I think I have mentioned before that I love ZZ Top before Eliminator. I know they became huge and massive after the release of that album (mainly due to the very commercial sounding songs, and the amazing videos that the fledgling MTV had on heavy rotation), but for me the three albums before that were the best. They were experimenting with tones and grooves that were taking their stock boogie blues in a very interesting path. This album was the beginning of that period, and I really love it.
It’s Only Love kicks things off with the very traditional country blues that is huge in Texas, and the middle eight just swings. Arrested For Driving While Blind follows, and although you would be forgiven for thinking it’s just a straight up boogie, there is a lot going on here. The guitar tone in the main verse has that simple chorus effect, then we get to the breakdown that turns into a shuffle with that beautiful solo from Billy G. El Diablo is one of my favourite ZZ tunes. The groove and the vibe are just superb, and the descent into the breakdown is just superb. Snappy Kakkie is the one track that pushes the boundaries the most on the album, with a killer middle and ending. Enjoy And Get It On closes out Side 1, and boy does this song swing – the riff is from the same vibe as La Grange.
Ten Dollar Man opens up Side 2 and has a killer blues/funk vibe with a great swing. Pan Am Highway Blues is quite a traditional piece with a little lap steel thrown in. Avalon Hideaway has a Tex Mex groove to the tune and some nice guitar from Billy. The album closes out with She’s A Heartbreaker, and it’s a return to country/blues complete with fiddle. As I said, I love this period of the band and I play the 3 albums a lot.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
