Back to the old days (sorta)...

After a long, long wait, ZZ Top has finally released some brand new material. The four song EP 'Texicali' was released on itunes today as a sampler to the still un-named full CD release later this year. The buzz around 'Texicali' (as most ZZ Top releases going back to 1989) is that they've gone back to "the ol' ZZ Top 'Tres Hombres' sound". Really, that's never been the case. Now, I don't mean that in a negative way whatsoever. I've been a huge fan for a long time and enjoyed alla their releases. I find it funny how the fans continue to clamour for the old sound and the band keeps saying "here it is". These guys are far too hip to go alla the way back to a sound from 40 years ago. Critics and fans alike have been really missing the boat though, on what the band's been doing since the synth-boogie days of the late 80's. Each release has been more stripped down than it's predecessor, while still staying on toppa what's going on in modern technology. 'Rhythmeen' and 'XXX' were blues-rock masterpieces that nobody really bothered to notice. 'Mescalero' seemed like the band finally said 'screw it' and just went with what they felt like. The four songs on 'Texicali' take us back to the good ol' days of 'Rhythmeen' and 'XXX' in style and sound somewhat too. The mix sounds a little bit more straight ahead (a Rick Rubin trademark) without too much else thrown in. "I Gotsta Get Paid" seems to have a little more originality to it than the others, stretching out a bit more than they have in a while. "Over You" does kinda go back to the early ZZ Top style, reminding me of one of my favorites "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell". While I don't think "Over You" quite hits that high of a mark, it's still nice to be taken back to that era. This song does have a bit o' strings/synth flavor tucked discreetly in the background. Does 'Texicali' for tell of a great CD to come? Dunno... hard to say. If the other tracks continue in that late 90's vein and the band stretches out on a good 5 or 6 or 7 minute track or two, throw in some serious blues... yeah, we could have something here. I'm just glad to have them back...

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