Published on Aug 28, 1998
I’m actually shocked that in the long life of “The Daily Vault,”
no one has dared tackle this album. I mean, if you were a male of
any age during the eighties, it was impossible to avoid it or to
not love it. So, in the spirit of those people who feel a hormonal
rush just remembering those times, here ya go.
After hitting it big in the 70s with songs like “La Grange,” ZZ
Top had decided to add a more “modern” sound to its southern booze
and blues groove. So they mixed in synthesizers and drum kits,
while maintaining their deep lyrical topics. (OK, I’m joking! But
you get the point.)
The album begins with the classic “Gimme All Your Lovin'” –
which properly samples the entire album. It’s followed by the
heavier “Got Me Under Pressure,” the super-cool “Sharp Dressed Man”
(at one point or another, everyone’s gotten dressed to that song)
and the rocking “I Got the Six” – which dealt somewhat in topics
important to men (girls and masturbation).
The album also features some nice shifts – like “I Need You
Tonight,” which is a very cool 80s ballad. Not only that, but
there’s “Dirty Dog,” “If I Could Only Flag Her Down” and “Bad Girl”
– which features bassist Dusty Hill at the mike – and they all rock
tight and tough. While not as classic as some of the other songs in
here, they still solidify the album.
As for anything wrong, it’s probably “Thug” and “T.V. Dinners” –
which were probably more relevant back in ’83 – that does remind
you that this is an eighties album. They’re not bad, but you might
not feel like listening to them all the time.
However, there’s two things that absolutely make the album.
First, the amazing guitar work by Billy Gibbons. It’s incredible –
consider that most songs have few lyrics and that it’s Gibbons’
chops that not only fill, but complement the songs. The second
thing is the one song I have not mentioned yet – “Legs.” This song
is a rock masterpiece. C’mon, name me one time when you didn’t want
to be in that video or a time when that song didn’t bring a smile
to your face. (If you got the
Greatest Hits, you may be shocked to hear a different intro
in this album.)
It doesn’t matter when you hear this album or how old you are
when you hear it. This album will rock no matter when. Not only
that, but girls take a liking to it too. (Just start singing “She’s
got Legs/She knows how to use them” to your girl and see the
results!)