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ZZ Top
Live From Texas
(Eagle Rock Entertainment)
I’ll be the first to admit that as a life-long worshipper of all things Classic Rock and Classic Rock-related, I have frequently found myself deeply enthralled (i.e. totally and completely obsessed) with Houston, Texas-born veterans ZZ Top. Okay, okay…so maybe that makes me a nutswinger, but, well, to be honest, I don’t freakin’ care. I’ve just always dug their music. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve spent most of my childhood and all of adulthood battling a dangerously debilitating lust for all things loud and recorded, regardless of the source. However, despite this, I’ve always found myself blindly gravitating towards the group’s refreshingly unique brand of straight-up Hard Rock. Needless to say, when I was initially approached regarding writing a review of the group’s highly-anticipated ‘…in-concert…’ testament, I was only more than happy to oblige.
On the stellar Live From Texas (2008), an expertly assembled seventeen song collection of flawlessly executed Hard Rock, each track, beginning with the hard-driving “Got Me Under Pressure”, the delightfully Blues-inflected “Jesus Just Left Chicago”, and the testosterone-fueled ‘…boast fest…’ “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”, immediately commands the rapt and undivided attention of all parties involved, myself most definitely included. Easily obliterating one’s cautiously optimistic expectations via their now trademark blend of gritty vocals, searing fretwork and impossibly airtight rhythms, the group, despite being rather firmly entrenched amid the not-so-recent past, once again quite easily prove themselves worthy of the highest of critical and commercial accolades without straying from the Platinum-encrusted, chart-topping formula of yore.
Continuing with the oft-overlooked gem “Cheap Sunglasses”, the double entendre-riddled ‘…guilty pleasure…’ “Pearl Necklace”, and the quasi-anthemic “Gimme All Your Lovin’”, the now legendarily steadfast combination of vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons (ex-The Moving Sidewalks), bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard (a.k.a. Rube Beard) steamroll ahead with what can only be described as a sickening ease. Tearing through a wisely-chosen--if not somewhat obligatory-laden--set that somehow manages to wisely accentuates each of the group’s sonically distinct eras without overly focusing on a particular album, the resulting sonic barrage, as undeniably slick and well-rehearsed as it at times may be, ultimately serves as an ideal showcase for the numerous highlights of the group’s sprawling (and frequently genre-defying) catalog.
Arguably the improbably long-running group’s most compelling--and thus outright enjoyable--effort since 1994’s inexplicably maligned RCA Records debut Antenna (or perhaps even 1990’s hopelessly overplayed yet undeniably memorable Recycler), the majority--if not all--of the undeniably eye and ear-pleasing Live From Texas is seemingly guaranteed to leave both die-hard completists and curious newcomers alike only wanting for more. Thus, other standouts, including the maddeningly infectious “Sharp Dressed Man”, the deliciously tongue-in-cheek “Tube Snake Boogie”, and the equally impressive closer “Tush”, while certainly not reinventing the proverbial wheel, offer an almost unbelievable wealth of compelling further audiovisual evidence in support of the group’s already well-deserved reputation for effortlessly ‘…delivering the goods…’.
Is it groundbreaking? Is it revolutionary? Absolutely not. But then again, that’s not really the point, now is it? Even if you somehow find yourself less than enthused with the disturbingly persistent rumors of Gibbon’s authoritarian ‘…leadership…’ (and, as a result, Hill and Beard’s alleged uninvolvement with the recording of the group’s most recent releases), one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the trio’s increasingly rare ability to consistently persevere amid the decidedly hostile confines of the Hard Rock genre. Not surprisingly, if you’ve once again found yourself in search of a high octane Classic Rock fix that doesn’t involve spending quality time with your local Oldies station (or openly embracing your parent’s record collection), then this, my friends, might just be what the doctor ordered. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Select Discography
Live From Texas (DVD) (2008) ****
Rancho Texicano (2004) **
Chrome, Smoke & BBQ (2003) **
Mescalero (2003) ***
XXX (1999) ***
Rhythmeen (1996) ***
Antenna (1994) ***
One Foot In The Blues (1994)
Greatest Hits (1992) **
Recycler (1990) **
The ZZ Top Six Pack (1987) **
Afterburner (1985) **
Eliminator (1983) **
El Loco (1981) **
Degüello (1979) **
The Best Of ZZ Top (1977) *
Tejas (1977) *
Fandango! (1975) *
Tres Hombres (1973) *
Rio Grande Mud (1972) *
ZZ Top’s First Album (1971) *
* released via London Records
** released via Warner Brothers Records
*** released via RCA Records
**** released via Eagle Rock Entertainment