ZZ TOP – Afterburner (1985) [Japan SHM-CD mini-LP remastered] *HQ*

As requested, the Japanese reissue of ZZ TOP 1985’s hit album ”Afterburner”, pressed on high-fidelity SHM-CD format, remastered and presented in cardboard sleeve LP replica.
In 1985 ZZ Top had the unenviable task of recording the follow up to the massively successful Eliminator. And they did. And we got ”Afterburner”, a killer album by its own, but oddly underrated by some, even to this day. Yeah, it was the mid-Eighties, a time of clanging DX-7’s and electronic drums. But boy, the songs are still awesome.
When it came time for a follow-up, the band made the astute business decision to give their new fans more of the same – more keyboards, more drum machines, more catchy songs with even more euphemisms for sexual activity. And then when they were done with that, they added more keyboards. This was definitely not your uncle’s ZZ Top – the guys they imagined as blues-bustin’ rodeo escapees, chugging around the dusty back roads of Texas’ roadhouse circuit, soaked in mescal, tuned in to border radio, and exhaling barbeque smoke.
”Afterburner” presented ZZ Top as dystopian blade runners, ascending to the sterile environs of their space compound instead of running around the desert killin’ varmints.
But despite that ’80s gloss, ZZ Top still rock; Stages, Sleeping Bag, Rough Boy, Planet Of Women, Velcro Fly – all those songs performed live years later showcased their rock n’ roll nerve. But wait, as big fan of the ’80s, let me enjoy ”Afterburner” in this original sound production. And better on this SHM-CD.

“Sleeping Bag” commences proceedings and is the only song where the overuse of the synths is a legitimate criticism. But heck, I love synths. And this song has genuine punch, with a cool guitar solo. If Frank Beard were even in attendance at the session that produced this song, many would be surprised – the drums were absolutely played by a machine. But in the song, Gibbons gives us a great new metaphor for getting it on, and his guitar solo at the song’s conclusion reminds us what a bad man he can be on the axe of his choice.

“Stages” is the next song and is more indicative of the quality of the album. Like most of the other songs features great vocals on the verses, good hooks on the chorus, and a precise solo. Sly “Woke up With Wood” is next and even though it’s definitely formulaic in the sense that it matches previously mentioned aspects, it’s still a winner.
That guitar comes to back to slay in the ballad “Rough Boy,” a virtual rewrite of El Loco’s “Leila” that to this day remains anathema to most old-school ZZ Top fans. Yes, the song has a pulse generated by Korg and spooky keys approved by NASA itself, and Gibbons’ singing is hushed and vulnerable throughout. But his two guitar solos add some melt-yo’-backside Texas blues to the soothing calm of the synth bed on which those solos rest. Yes, this is Gibbons dialed back to maybe 6 or 7, but it’s more than enough to lift the song out of its digitized slumber.

Though the accuracy of the title “Can’t Stop Rocking” is debatable, the quality of this track is not. This is relentless assault of rock that doesn’t stop (pun fully intended) until the sadly too short song is finished. Dusty Hill makes for as good a lead vocalist as Billy Gibbons, and this thankfully isn’t the last time we’ll hear him on this disc.
“Planet of Woman” is another favorite. The vocals on the verses are just sublime, Gibbons is giving it his all and it pays off hugely. As is customary on this album the solos and riffs are of top quality too.

And who could forget “Velcro Fly?” A new metaphor for sex disguised as a paean to the latest dance fad, “Velcro Fly” features what sound like actual live drums (mixed in with the drum machines) and two short bass solos, incorporated into yet another keyboard-forward track.
Things end with another Dusty Hill led track, “Delirious”. Just like his other lead vocals feature on the album this one is a relentless rocker. They really knew how to best use him vocally. “Delirious” also features my favorite moment on the whole album: around 2:15 where it transitions from the end of the solo back to the verse riffing. Absolutely brilliant, and a great way to end the album on a high note.

Now there might be a bit of nostalgia associated with ”Afterburner” – this LP was part of my youth’s soundtrack – but there’s no denying its quality. It’s pure ’80s and we love it.
Highly Recommended

ＷＡＲＮＥＲ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ / ＷＰＣＲ～15175
【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】
ＺＺトップ*  –  アフターバーナー

01 – Sleeping Bag
02 – Stages
03 – Woke Up With Wood
04 – Rough Boy
05 – Can’t Stop Rockin’
06 – Planet Of Women
07 – I Got The Message
08 – Velcro Fly
09 – Dipping Low (In The Lap Of Luxury)
10 – Delirious

Guitar, Vocals – Billy Gibbons
Bass, Vocals – Dusty Hill
Drums – Frank Beard

out of print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-15175