VG+ Top 1976. The opener hints ahead toward the 1980s sound, which in my opinion didn't come close to the 1970s sound; much of this seems more connected with the 1970s southern-fried hard rock which rarely matched the Texas kick of the ZZ Top trio; while this has plenty of riff-driven numbers, they don't match the distinctive crankers of the earlier Top numbers; this seems transitional and 1976 was not the best time for 70s hard rock outfits. But oddly enough, this might be my favorite ZZ Top album. While I'd have to return to the first three to confirm that and I have a feeling some of those would be placed next to this as my favorites, but for me this is much more enjoyable than the wildly popular Fandango (1975). Sure, Fandango had the classic "Heard in on the X," but this has so many great songs like "El Diablo," "Ten Dollar Man," "Avalon Hideaway," and the instrumental "Asleep in the Desert." Anyway you look at it, this is essential ZZ Top. -- winch
