ZZ Top's Greatest Hits
Warner Brothers Records, 1992
REVIEW BY: Alfredo Narvaez
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/22/1998
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.