VG

ZZ Top released three LPs in 3 years (1971-1973) but then slowed with the studio output, offering the part-live Fandango in 1975 and Tejas in 1976.  Then they really took a break, even from touring...but returned with a vengeance in 1979 with this set.  There seems to be a lot of Texas on this set (in other words more clear influences from the past), and quite an amazing diversity of sounds, yet all held together wonderfully, and a hell of a lot of sound for three young fellows.  Everyone has their favorite ZZ Top, but there's nothing after 1979 that does much for me (except La Future is pretty good and maybe some of the 1980s needs another listen) but even for the 1970s, it's often one song on the set that wraps my face into a smile, "Heard it on the X" on Fandango for example, and maybe even more so with "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" on this one.  With the odd subject matter like "Cheap Sunglasses," you get caught up in the songs--as it should be--and it's easy to miss the fact that the band is just hitting it, but when the vocals back out on the bridge and outro of "Cheap Sunglasses," nothing can hide the fact that they are a fine-tuned rock n roll rhythm machine, hitting it hard with all cylinders firing.  -- winch (green noise)