ZZ Top

The source of ZZ Top's appeal was never any secret to the beer drinkers and hell raisers
who worshiped them the instant the band began to boogie fifteen years ago. Since then
there have been classic stunts (the 1976 tour featuring livestock and snakes) and classic
licks ("Tush" and "LaGrange"). But it took their last (and ninth) album, Eliminator, to turn the
li'l' ol' trio from Texas into everybody's guilty pleasure. Their new LP, Afterburn... More >

With sales on Eliminator over five mil almost by accident, this hard-boogieing market strategy is defined by conscious commercial ambition--by its all but announced intention of making ZZ the next Bruce/Madonna/Prince/Michael, with two beards and a Beard at every checkout counter. The Trevor Hornish synth touches and out-front hooks are clues, but the proof is "Rough Boy," an attempted top-five ballad that would sound like pure take-me-or-leave-me revved up. And in case you think they've lost their sense of humor, there's a new dance called the "Velcro Fly." I'm laughing, I'm laughing. (Grade: B)