For Week Ending:
11 May 2024

ZZ Top - Eliminator (1983)

[Rock]

Album #8 for ZZ Top was the one that finally made them a household name. They had been around for close to 15 years at this point, but their southern soaked whiskey blues had never been much more than a slight blip on the radar of the mainstream charts. The band took some chances with the album, most noticeably with the synthesised guitar tones and the lack of the usual boogie blues. It paid off, producing four hit singles. Although some of the production choices are a little dated today, the crisp punchy mix means it still sounds great. 'Gimmie All Your Lovin'' opens with a bang, and although many great rock albums start with a recognisable and legendary guitar riff, very few can say the same about a drum beat. Moving through now-rock classics like 'Got Me Under Pressure' and 'Sharp Dressed Man', the album still demonstrates the ZZ style well, even if it is a little more. 'new wave' than previous albums. Most songs are also quite obviously faster in tempo than their older works, probably yet another move to get radio play. Although the second side still had some great tunes, the album definitely suffers from front-loading, with all its best (and most modern sounding) tracks up front. This is not say the second half isn't worth listening to, but the tracks certainly feel more like a throwback to the band's earlier sound. The Top continued down the synthesised trail for a couple more albums until they had done all they could with the sound, returning to their more traditional blues style in the early 1990s.

Arist Information
ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. The band developed a signature sound based on it's blues style and tight rhythm section. They are known for their live performances, sly and humorous lyrics, and the matching appearances of guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill, who wore sunglasses, hats and long beards. They have sold an estimated 50 million records worldwide. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked Gibbons the 32nd-greatest guitarist of all time.

Release Information
'Eliminator' is the eighth studio album by ZZ Top. It is their most commercially successful release, with sales of 11 million and diamond certification in the U.S.

The Angels - Beyond Salvation (1990)

[Hard Rock]

This is another record where I can't recall what led me to purchase the tape. I'd not heard any of their previous efforts, so can only assume the local record store had it on play when I spent many hours of my youth in. It had been decades between listens, and listening to this recently I could still partially recall the lyrics of most songs. I have nothing to compare it with on past or future releases, but this one really hit home for me. The first track is an absolute Aussie pub rock and roll classic. Moving on you will see some really cool blues licks in the guitars with Doc's pipes providing that rustic edge to the music. Other oz rock classics include 'Back Street Pick-up' - the intro is great, actually like it is for most songs on the album, 'Dogs Are Talking' involves a subject typical to the time and not something you would sing about in today's age, but considering it for what it is, a great track and 'Pushing And Shoving' - love the guitar work on this one. Overall it is a very mature rock/blues loaded release with some great guitar work and Doc, in his suit and tie no doubt, completing the landscape with his pipes.

Arist Information
The Angels are an Australian rock band that formed in 1974 in Adelaide, Australia as The Keystone Angels.