That they selected this particular title tells you all you need to know. It’s not like you could accuse ZZ Top of ever being on the cutting edge of anything, but you could rely them for some basic things – irreverent Texas blues rock, humorous hi-jinks, sly put-ons, and a take-it-as-it-comes overall attitude about life.
Much, if not all of this, is missing from Recycler, but then again, a lot of those characteristics were missing from the previous two albums as well, and it did not stop them from – a) being massive chart successes, and b) being enjoyable.
Recycler, actually, did fit the first criteria. In fact, the band made a hokey appearance in “Back to the Future III”, and the song “Doubleback” was prominently featured on the movie soundtrack. But enjoyable album? I’m not so sure the band themselves enjoyed making this one.
The band sounds like it is going in a couple of a different directions at once – trying to stick with the electro-robotic sound from the past two albums, but also reaching a bit for the old blues-rock boogie from the 70’s as well. The end result is, at best, mixed.
The first four tracks here are about the most non-descript things the band has cut in a long, long time. I mean that not in a good way. Probably the first real signs of life are when “My Head’s in Mississippi” comes on, which has faint “La Grange” echoes if you really think about it.
I would say the tracks on the second side are moderate improvements but then again, that is not saying much, either. Back in the day, I do not remember thinking very highly of singles like “Give It Up” or “Doubleback”, regarding them as inferior to Eliminator or even Afterburner in comparison. My opinion has not changed much since then.
I think ZZ Top put this out to safely coast on their laurels. Whether you think it’s entertaining or not, is up to you.
ONE SENTENCE RE-REVIEW: Not as bad as the title suggests but there's every indication here the 80's crept into 1990.
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