Get yer mind out of the gutter! :) ZZ Top's 1999 release, XXX, is meant as a celebration of 30 years of ZZ Top, the only band (I believe ever) to have all of its original members throughout a 30 year span.
The "Little 'ol band from Texas" - Is an American standard, and Icon. Their blues rock sound is instantly recognizable, as are the band members themselves. And while their commercial success peaked with 1983's "Eliminator" - the plodded on through the 90's - Even stripping away the electronic elements and synthesizers that helped propel them to fame in the 80's.
And this album still sounds like ZZ Top - it's impossible to deny that. But, through and through, this could be - perhaps their weakest release to date. Is the problem age? Perhaps, but not likely. The Blues are timeless - Look at B.B. King. The problem is that almost all of these songs sound like a poor version of better ZZ Top songs. None of them are catchy, with the possible exception of "Poke Chop Sandwhich" - the first cut. And as unmemorable as that song is - it stands out as the most memorable.
Here's the track breakdown: 12 Songs, 1 live intro cut.
1. Poke Chop Sandwich 2. Cricifixx-A-Flatt 3. Fearless Boogie 4. 36-22-36 5. Made Into a Movie 6. Beatbox (Instrumental) 7. Trippin' 8. Dreadmonboogaloo (Instrumental) 9/10. Live Intro/Sinpusher (Live) 11. (Let me Be Your) Teddy Bear (Live, Cover) 12. Hey Mr. Millionaire (Live) 13. Belt Buckle (Live)
To almost make matters worse, ZZ Top almost seems to try to plunge into the year 2,000 with an almost techno/rap sound on a couple of the songs - "Beatbox" and "Dreadmonboogaloo". I guess it's admirable to try to adapt and change with the times, but it would sound bad coming from a regular in those styles, and sounds 10x worse coming from ZZ Top. And in a weird way - "Dread..." has the same riff as the intro for Cartoon Networks "Cartoon Cartoons" show. heh. :)
The rest of the songs don't sound UN-ZZ Top - But basically you'll hear a tune like "36-22-36" and want to pop in an old copy of "Legs". And in a tragic mistake that many groups have made, they have a song called "Fearless Boogie" which is about not sticking to one sound because its successful, (ie The Who and "Same old Song") - yet sounds the same as every other song on the album.
Even the live cuts included on the release, and there are 4 of them - Fail to really show the energy that is ZZ Top. The only song of the bunch that is really interesting is their cover of Elvis' "Teddy Bear".
So - If you are a heavy ZZ Top fan, and just can't wait for more - Than you probably would like this release. If you're more of a casual ZZ Topper, and the only releases you own from them are "Eliminator", "Tres Hombres" or "Greatest Hits" - You'll want to keep it that way. Nothing here to write home about.
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