Recycler

ZZ Top | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LLY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,416 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ZZ's "Blue Period"?, December 10, 2002

By 

Erik K (Albuquerque, NM.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recycler (Audio CD)

(Three and a half stars) The album that brought the "Eliminator" period to a close, and the end of the eighties for ZZ. I get the feeling that the band knew exactly what they were doing when they made this album. They had ridden a second wave, and a second decade, of popularity, and being the accomplished musicians they were, they knew it had to end sometime, why not finish it of with an effort befitting a band of journeyman musicians? It's a bit of a shame they didn't take more chances... this release has a slightly mellow, and even melancholy attitude about it, and although it uses this effect to good end in some songs, it also makes it somewhat unspectacular overall. Billy's guitar playing has gone completely in the direction of the thick distortion and simple chords that started with Afterburner, and though his lead playing has it's hot spots, I personally miss the arpeggiated rhythms, clean tones and raw feel of earlier ZZ Top.
2000 Blues has a great deal of feeling, I think it's a high point. Burger Man is an interesting song, how many other bands tried a classic blues-novelty style song in 1990? If only it was a little better... I have a thing for Tell It, with its laid back rhythm and syncopated flourishes. My Head's in Mississippi is this releases signature song, with it's La Grange like sound. There was a lot of "they're finally back to the old ZZ" with Recycler's release, mostly because of this song, but the creative direction that it started really didn't hit it's stride until the release of Rhythmeen six years later. Recycler ended ZZ's stay in the '80's limelight, and the beginning of their semi-retired(?) period, in which ZZ has recaptured some of the spark of individualism that is their best quality, and that mega stardom can apparently dull, and that little old band from Texas still churns 'em out.....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Never A Disappointment, June 23, 2006

By 

Tom Fairchild "Tommie" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recycler (Audio CD)

I give "Recycler" 4 stars, only because no band can put out absolutely great albums time after time. This album was an attempt to break away from the synthesized pop sound they had picked up in the 80's and get back to a little more of the straight-ahead, blues rock roots they are so famous for. I think they did exactly what they set out to accomplish, and the album is definitely a must for any ZZ fan. The first 4 cuts, and the slow blues number "2000 Blues" are the best cuts...the rest are okay, but more of an attempt at pop songs or songs intended for radio play. What ZZ fans will remember most about this album was that it produced the cut "Doubleback" which was on the "Back to the Future Part III" sound track...ZZ even managed a small cameo in the film. For the true ZZ fan, every album is different, and this one has its place in ZZ history just like the rest. But most importantly, ZZ releases are never a disappointment.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavier stuff that blends eras together nicely, March 9, 2010

By 

Todd7 (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Recycler (Audio CD)

After a 5 year hiatus, ZZ Top opened the 90's with a great offering, Recycler. The album was highly-anticipated, and because of that, expectations were high. In a sense, that isn't fair. If this album came out in 1987, then the reviews would've probably been better. That's just my opinion, and expressing ones's opinion is what this forum is all about. The album starts with CONCRETE AND STEEL, which is a solid rocker. I must say that I really welcome their heavier sound on this album, as opposed to Eliminator and Afterburner. The overall sound has more depth to it, and is even faster, for the most part. One can tell that this was a transitional album, as the song, MY HEAD'S IN MISSISSIPPI has a mixture of early 70's LA GRANGE and 80's ELIMINATOR stuff. The song sounds a lot like LA GRANGE. I particularly like 2000 BLUES, as it's the most different-sounding of all of the songs. The last two songs, BURGER MAN and DOUBLEBACK finish the album on a high note. DOUBLEBACK sounds a little like GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN'. It's interesting that the song, DIPPING LOW (in the lap of luxury) (from Afterburner) sounds almost exactly like Gimme All Your Lovin', as well. Is RECYCLER just that? A recycling of earlier stuff? Just kidding.... 9/10