Published on Dec 22, 1998
Greatest hit albums are usually cool in that they save you from
having to pick up a band’s entire catalog to get your favorite
songs. I mean, who’s got the cash for those kind of expenses? Plus,
you can b.s. people into thinking you’ve been a long time fan.
ZZ Top’s Greatest Hits is no exception. Here you get the
hits from the Tejas trio’s long and winding career in rock. Come,
let’s take a look around and see what’s happening. (That souded so
Mr. Rogers-y!)
If you liked rock in the 80s, you had to have heard the songs
from the band’s smash,
Eliminator. Or if you were just a horny teenage guy, you
caught the videos over and over on the M-channel. Here, they’re
right up front. “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Got
Me Under Pressure” and a remixed version of “Legs.” (Personally, I
like the old
Eliminator intro). The memories they’ll bring will be yours
to enjoy.
The band also fills in with their other ’80s albums. “Rough
Boy,” “Sleeping Bag” and “Planet Of Women” from
Afterburner. “My Head’s In Mississippi” and “Doubleback”
from
Recycler. “My Head’s” is very bluesy and cool. “Doubleback”
is the song they did for
Back To The Future — I forget which one. They’re alright,
but I would have thrown in “I Woke Up With Wood.” Now THERE’S a
classic song right there. On top of that they do this very cool
song called “Gun Love” which is right up their alley. Finally, they
throw in their version of “Viva Las Vegas” which is cool.
‘Course, lest we forget, the band also throws in their ’70s
standards. “La Grange” — which has been shown in just about every
movie I can think of, save for
Star Wars — “Tube Snake Boogie,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Tush”
and on and on. If you’re an older fan, this material will appeal to
you more than the ’80s hits thanks to the lack of a
synthesizer.
Overall,
Greatest Hits does everything a greatest hit compilation is
meant to do. It gives you the chance to enjoy those few songs you
liked and discover new ones you hadn’t heard. Maybe it makes you
rush out and get the albums they’re from. The team of Gibbons, Hill
and Beard cranks out the rock you crave at the price you want.