ZZ Top – Recycler

After a long hiatus which their supergroup status well deserved, ZZ Top arrived in the fall of 1990 with ‘Recycler’. If the critical reviews were more on the negative side, it was most likely due to both the five years between ‘Afterburner’ and their latest LP and the continuation of their trademark ‘80s sound. In fact it could be argued that ‘Recycler’ completes a trilogy of sorts which saw the Texas trio achieve massive sales from ‘Eliminator’, ‘Afterburner’ and ‘Recycler’. The heavy use of synthesized beats with their trademark guitar sound certainly continued into a new decade but there were probably many fans and critics who longed for the days of ‘Tres Hombres’ or even ‘Deguello’. I would say that ‘Recycler’ was an update from their ‘80s sound while combining the styles that ZZ Top was most known for. “My Head’s in Mississippi” is a perfect example of this synthesis, modern yet harkening back to the past. If you didn’t like ZZ Top before, ‘Recycler’ won’t convert you, but long time fans will appreciate “Concrete and Steel”, “Give It Up”, “Doubleback” and “Decision or Collision”. Though the sales weren’t as brisk for this record as they were for their prior hits, maybe grunge affected it, ‘Recycler’ delivers the goods and satisfies…..I’m just your Burger Man….

Oh man... what a good sounding piece of vinyl! Top to bottom ... it's just about perfect. And it's cut hot too :)

Not sure where this is pressed but it sounds immaculate great depth, punch, mids and treble is not over emphasized to cause sibilance but maintains fantastic clarity. Runouts are as quoted. A good example of DMM done right.

My copy of this LP has THIS label but NO mention of 'MASTERDISK' on either side. Do I have a different release? I can't find an exact match on here.

Amazing soundstage. One of the best sounding pressing I have.

Here we have very good sound, nice recording, production and pressing. This is a good album by ZZ Top and enjoy!

Still amazed how good this issue sounds on proper equipment. Fine mastering by Bob Ludwig.

A good album, heavy, good intruments and i love the vocals. I listen the first album and it change a lot. Lyrics a bit cheap. A good cover