ZZ Top sold a shit load of albums in the ‘70s, but Eliminator, originally released in 1983, outperformed them all, and it remains the most successful from the Texas trio. Oh, and it was w/ Eliminator, named after a 1933 Ford coupe Billy Gibbons restored to hot-rod-perfection, that the iconic, belt-length beards started to come into play in a MAJOR way, as the band’s brolic facial hair, coupled w/ those black shades, has reached legend-status of its own. The most distinguishing aspect of the 8th album is the incorporation of synths/new wave aesthetic, which was inspired by a trip to England. The blues, southern rock soul of ZZ Top remains, but a layer of analog noodlings contribute to a denser, more expansive sound. One of the most fun, party-ready albums of the ‘80s, check out “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” “Got Me Under Pressure,” “TV Dinners,” and “Bad Girl.”

• red vinyl pressing
• music label: Warner Bros. 1983 / 2016

reviewed by fresh noods 10/2016