Tres Hombres
Band:
Billy Gibbons - Guitar, Vocals
Frank Beard - Drums
Dusty Hll - Bass, Vocals
Before ZZ Top was a band of fuzzy guitars and synthesizers. They were a raw blues-rock band out of Texas. They somehow always took their Texas background wherever they went, and brought it to their music. To this day Blly Gibbons, uses a Peso as a pick.Their Texas-Blues-Rock is most evident on their first three releases. It is unfortunate that a lot of people really only think of their more popular, poppier songs like "Legs" and "TV Dinners" whenever they think of ZZ Top.
After the release of
Tres Hombres they decided they needed to take a three year break, and decide what direction they really want to take their music in. Even though, their music started to change quickly after that (possibly for the worst). By this time their sound had totally changed, they had lost a lot of their original fans, but had gained a lot more with their new image and music. Most fans of ZZ Top's earlier years will say that this was their last good album.
1)
Waitin' For The Bus - The song starts off with a very addictive guitar riff, at a pretty moderate pace. The riff is really the backbone of the song, meaning it really holds it together well. The rhythym section is of course great and always on track. Then there is a series of two guitar solos, the first one is played with a slide, and the second is just another great Billy Gibbons bluesy guitar solo. The song is definitely a great way to start off the album.
5/5
2)
Jesus Just Left Chicago - This is a much slower song, compared to the last track. This song very much remind of the song "Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker. The rhythym section on this song is great, and very noticable. It is not as much a guitar led song as most of their songs, but their is some nice guitar licks thrown in here and there. The guitar solo in this song is alright, just not as good as some others on the album. Good song
4/5
3)
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers - This song is classic ZZ Top, this is probaly one of the many definitive ZZ Top songs. Billy's guitar tone on this song just screams Texas blues, which is so great. He also delivers one of the best guitar solos on the album, and it really makes the song even better than it already was. Great song, definitely a highlight.
5/5
4)
Master of Sparks - This song probaly has the best groove on the album, and probaly one of my favorite intros of all time. After the intro, the song changes up a bit and slows down a little bit. But still maintains its greatness throughout the song. Then, there is another great guitar solo, after that the song ends. Good song, not the best but still good. 4/5
5)
Hot Blue and Righteous - I find this song to be alright. It is a good song, but it just doesn't really sound like ZZ Top, is what I don't really like about the song. It is a pretty slow, ballad of sorts, and that sort of ruins the whole mood of the album thus far. So I'll give the song
3/5
6)
Move Me On Down The Line - Starts off with very simple guitar and drum work, then goes into a very interesting guitar riff. The vocals in the song get a tad bit annoying after a little while listening to them. Pretty good song. 3.5/5
7)
Precious and Grace - This song is great because of its wonderful blues grooves and riffs. For about halfway through the song they go with the same riff for a while, which really works well with the vocals in the song. Then they change it up for a little while moving it a little more upbeat than it previous was. A very interesting guitar solo, which I believe is played with a slide. But his Mexican peso used as a pic ads a nice effect to it. Great song.
Good song
4.5/5
8)
La Grange - This is one of their earlier popular songs, and rightfully so, I still belive the song to be one of their best. Upon the first time I heard this song it had felt like I had known it for years. The song starts off with a very simple, but effective guitar line. Then it continues for a while with added distortion. The vocals are very interesting, how they are sung that is, kind of slurrs his words like a lot of blues musicians and that goes great with the song. After this, the guitar solo comes and it is one of Billy's best, and one of my favorite of all time. After that it goes right back to the main theme, with a couple of guitar licks here and there. You can hear once again the effect that the mexican peso has on Billy's guitar tone. GREAT song.
5/5
9)
Shiek - The lyrics in this song aren't spectacularly great but they are quite amusing. There is an interesting guitar riff to lead the beat of the song. then there is a great guitar solo at the end, then it goes right back into the main theme. Not the best song on the album, but still good.
3.5/5
10)
Have You Heard - This is the most emotional song on the album by far, you can tell this just by listening to the vocals. At the beginning the guitar work is nothing too special but then the guitar fills towards the middle are really amazing. The rhythym section in the song is also wonderful. Then there comes the solo with the slide and it really makes the song stand out wonderfully. Then it goes back to the main theme, and slowly fades out.
4/5
Overall Rating:
4.5/5
