It bums me out that the general populace judges them based on Eliminator era garbage. The earlier stuff absolutely defines Texas boogie with some of the sickest, cleanest guitar work and incredible drumming. Unbeatable for the type of sound they go for.

NOT CRAP.

Tejas is my fav and I admit to singing Sharp Dressed Man and Gimmie All Your Lovin' when they come on the radio.

"I've got to have a shot (DIK-A-DEEEEW) coz what you got is oh so sweet"

they're ok. not my favorite by any stretch, but ok. sort of like the first two aerosmith albums are ok. & i too totally turn up 'sharp dressed man' if i hear it being played on 97.9 when i'm driving around...

tho they do deserve a kick in the nuts for "sleeping bag" and their role in back to the future pt iii.

That '80s era ZZ is shite.

It's still listenable just for appreciation-of-the-band purposes but, c'mon, that shit's weak.

Those early albums are pure genius. Well-played and recorded beautifully.

They made a guitar out of a piece of the shack where Muddy Waters was born.

I'm not certain that cancels out "Pearl Necklace".

full point wrote:That '80s era ZZ is shite.

It's still listenable just for appreciation-of-the-band purposes but, c'mon, that shit's weak.

Those early albums are pure genius. Well-played and recorded beautifully.

While I certainly prefer the first few ZZ Top records, I have a definite affection for Eliminator. I mean, those are still very much ZZ Top songs just with candy-ass production and synths. Of course, there's nothing on there that's at the level of "Precious and Grace" or "La Grange," but it's a fun record.

connor wrote:While I certainly prefer the first few ZZ Top records, I have a definite affection for Eliminator. I mean, those are still very much ZZ Top songs just with candy-ass production and synths. Of course, there's nothing on there that's at the level of "Precious and Grace" or "La Grange," but it's a fun record.

I like the passage in Get in the Van where Rollins makes the sound guy play Eliminator in its entirety prior to Black flag's set, and the sound guy apologizes to the patrons for having to do it. This was in the mid-80's when the record was current.

I can't say I was broad-minded enough to appreciate that record's appeal at the time, but I've always loved Rio Grande Mud, Tres Hombres, and Tejas in particular.

I think Tejas might be one of the finest sounding rock records of all time. If I remember right, Steve told me that Terry Manning produced that record--Terry Manning of Argent Studio in Memphis, who was in Rock Candy, Chris Bell's pre-Big Star band. Am I right? I've always wanted to hear Terry Manning's solo record, but I've never seen it for under a hundred bucks. Anybody heard it?

Oh yeah: ZZ Top is not crap.

Having just bought Tres Hombres, Tejas and Deguello on vinyl, I can say without question:

ZZ Top = Not crap.

Awesome sounding records.

The remade CDs of the old albums are abortions compared to the originals. ABORTIONS.

Original mixes of Rio Grande Mud, Tres Hombres, Tejas: purely great. These records are widely inspirational among the musicians I know, some of whom would surprise you, perhaps.

Deguello is good, as is _'s First Record_.

I like Eliminator, quite a bit. But it's their tipping point.

"Gimme all your lovin' / All your hugs and kisses too.'

This line alone is pretty great, though I'm not sure its greatness was planned.

NOT CRAP

ZZ Top was my first concert.

They were my first "favorite band".

Everything up to and including (half of) "Eliminator" is amazing.

All through high school, I had a ZZ Top keychain. I would throw it to my friend Corey, he would look at the keys in his hand, look at me and I'd do the whole circular motion thing pointing him in the direction of my car. Just like in the videos.

And now that I live in Houston, I see Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard around town quite a bit.

NOT

CRAP