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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Midway through their fourth decade, ZZ Top--the "Little Ol' Band from Texas"--have lost none of their preternatural affinity for the blues. But, as Mescalero ably demonstrates, that love continues to be informed by a restless sonic creativity that keeps it remarkably fresh. Proving he remains a fan of pop music in all its incarnations, band mainstay Billy Gibbons employs a grease'n'grit production that gives a surprisingly contemporary edge, whether on the grunge-meets-techno rattle of "Me So Stupid", the emblematic Top boogie "Buck Nekkid" or the zydeco-tinged lugubriousness of "Alley-Gator". But Gibbons and company's alternately lo-fi and electro sensibilities also take intriguing detours down country roads on "Goin' So Good" and "What Would You Do", while the en espanol "Que Lastima" sees them stray rewardingly across the Rio Grande for inspiration. The bluesy, hip-hop experimentalism of "Crunchy" and "Dusted" offers up more angular treats, morphing effortlessly into the patented, greasy boogie of "Liquor", then a country-blues cover/hidden track/coda of the chestnut "As Time Goes By"--the warmest surprise of an album already blessed with more than its share of invention. --Jerry McCulley
Product Description
ZZ TOP Mescalero (2003 UK 16-track CD album - rocking the same way they were over 30 years ago when the trio met! Blues boogie ruff riffing and Texas humour merge for another stomper of an album! Sealed picture sleeve)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
They're back! After a four year absence since their last studio release it is obvious when listening to "Mescalero" that the time has been well spent and ZZ Top fans from the last 30 years will be pleased. The great Billy Gibbons (hailed to be one of the greatest blues/rock guitarists ever) demonstrates why this band has lasted longer than any rock band to date. Dusty Hill's bass resonates through every track and he cuts loose in his rockin' version of "Piece". Frank Beard demonstrates what a talented drummer he is by holding it all together. Clearly the best ZZ Top release as far as overall content since "Recycler", and encompassing every avenue that the Tres Hombres have divulged in through the last three decades. The title track “Mescalero” (literally meaning "maker of mescal", the liquor made from cactus native to northern Mexico) contains English and Spanish vocals whereas "Que Lastima" is entirely in Spanish with Gibbons completly at the helm. Gibbons describes it as techno-mariachi inspired by a toast at a Matamoros cantina My favorite track seems to jump from the rockin' "Buck Nekkid" and the heavy blues tune "Goin' So Good". "What Would You Do" is a rockin' country, Blues Brothers sounding tune, that again provides another new sound for the band. "What It Is Kid" rocks, possibly referencing "Kid Rock" - "the boy ain't bad on the other hand Detroit rocks like the Rio Grand". Mescalero, what is it? "It is what it is" as stated by Billy Gibbons. The sound is tight and the chops are clean. The sound makes me believe this is more insturmental than studio effect as in previous ventures. Although several studio effects are present I don't see it having any negative effect on the music which is a very welcomed return for ZZ Top fans. Mescalero although a bit overdue, is a winner from start to end. The Tres Hombres are clearly back with a bang and sum up the entire essence of what ZZ Top was, is and will be with this release. This album intoxicates without the need for tequila. Fans old and new shall be thoroughly pleased with the entire package.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is probably ZZ Tops best work. If not, it is very near the top.
Every song is different and still has the flavor of the bands down home roots.
Guitar players will love a majority of the songs just because of the guitar work. "Dusted" is a prime example. For that matter, every song has its own special notes. From driving bass lines to a fantastic drum beat in every song.
Old fans will love it. Some of the tracks, "Two ways to Play" in particular, may attract new listeners and fans. "Alley Gator" and "Me so Stupid" are two prime video candidates.
"Tramp" is a remake but done up in fine ZZ style.
Even "Que lastima" which is sung in Spanish, is a fine piece of work.
Although the rating system here only allows for a five...this one is a ten!
Good work Boyz!
"Burger Man"
Every song is different and still has the flavor of the bands down home roots.
Guitar players will love a majority of the songs just because of the guitar work. "Dusted" is a prime example. For that matter, every song has its own special notes. From driving bass lines to a fantastic drum beat in every song.
Old fans will love it. Some of the tracks, "Two ways to Play" in particular, may attract new listeners and fans. "Alley Gator" and "Me so Stupid" are two prime video candidates.
"Tramp" is a remake but done up in fine ZZ style.
Even "Que lastima" which is sung in Spanish, is a fine piece of work.
Although the rating system here only allows for a five...this one is a ten!
Good work Boyz!
"Burger Man"
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When Eliminator came out back in the mid eighties, I bought it and then went out and bought their entire back catalogue. I love these guys. I keep expecting them to turn sour but they don't. They have produced the odd mediocre albums since Afterburner, but there is always a great couple of tracks on them which makes them worth having.
This album is full of treats and it has a sound that makes gravel seem like candy floss. It kicks your ears in but it feels great! It put a big smile on my face, and is great for the car. Ripping, thumping blues with the best co-ordination between three musicians you could hope for. They play as one like no one else can. thats what 35 years together does for you. Fabulous.
This album is full of treats and it has a sound that makes gravel seem like candy floss. It kicks your ears in but it feels great! It put a big smile on my face, and is great for the car. Ripping, thumping blues with the best co-ordination between three musicians you could hope for. They play as one like no one else can. thats what 35 years together does for you. Fabulous.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I.........................................................................
just wanted more heavy guitars, bass & drums!
I don't really like the mad foreign vocals on here either? no need for that. Read more
I don't really like the mad foreign vocals on here either? no need for that. Read more
Published 9 months ago by PhilthyPhil
Great music, but shameful mastering and disk read errors
Superb music as always from the Beards, but now on my second replacement disk, both of which have thousands of read errors per track (so no surprise that others have trouble... Read more
Published 14 months ago by W. Thomas Phillips
mescalero, great album but not for the car
bought mescalero from amazon, great album, zz top in great form !!! but it wont play in my car. now zz top has gotta play in the car . Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Alban Wareham
Arguably their best
Since hearing ZZ Top "Fandango" I never thought any of their work would ever come close to that but I was wrong. Mescalero has it all. Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2009 by Cal
have the texas boys lost it with time ?????????
somehow i missed this in 2003,. i`ll say that it is not as good as some of the other music they have done in the past, actually its rather weak,. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2009 by P. barton
ZZ Top Getting Back to Basics..Again!
This is raw ZZ Top, as you might remember them from from their early 70's style of music (with one or two track exceptions. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2007 by S. Bradnam
Great CD but can't play it in the car!!
Great CD harking back to some of the best days of the three beards (and believe me I have just about everything they've done) but.... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2006 by H. James Carter
Great Music - Way Bad Mastering
This is the best ZZ Top CD for over a decade. The humour is there, the dirty fuzz sounds are there, the techno beats are not.
I'd give it 5 stars except the CD quality sucks. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2005
CDs are for CD players
I've not heard this album all the way through, but the reason I'm giving it a 5 star review is to balance out the fact that two people have given it 1 star because they naively... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2005 by Philip Kane
Great album - enjoy
I love this album, it's left in my car, and is played loud, when i need to blow the cobwebs out,it end's up making my ears ring, what more can I say, welcome back, and would love... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2005 by paul sweet
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