I swear, the electronic drum machine is really getting old. Every single drum riff sounds like "Sharp Dressed Man". Personally, I think Frank Beard retired (or keeled over) after "El Loco" and Billy has been using the electronic drum machine in his place ever since. Billy & Dusty are just propping old Frank up for the photo shoots and concerts. ZZ should come out with an album "Weekend At Frank Beards". Even Billy's guitar riffs sound worn, old & "recycled"; so maybe the joke is on the listener. The title tells us exactly what to expect. None the less any ZZ Top album is 10 times better than most of the corporate cr@p being spit out these days. So for any ZZ Top fan, ya gotta get this disc. There are enough good tracks like "Heads In Mississippi" to satisfy your "ZZ" mojo.
For the uninitiated, go for the new "Chrome, Smoke & BBQ" 4 cd box first. Ya, it's a bit pricey, but you won't be disappointed.

(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.....

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.

It's great to see ZZ Top at their best once again. A collection of wonderful bluesy tunes by this famous trio of rockers. Penthouse Eyes was pretty good but Concret & Steel was my favourite (rocking guitar) - my fave ZZ Top track behind 'Sharp-dressed Man' and 'La Grange' (guitar strumming heaven).

I guess the thing I want to point out with this review is that sometimes albums grow on you. I bought this album looking for something bluesy. It was the first in my ZZ TOP collection and was expecting something like Canend Heat. It wasn't and even though it didn't seem that bad I think I only liked burger man. I lost interest in the band and bought Afterburner after seeing it cheap and loved it straight away. Then I bougth Deguello and it was about that time I had a rejuvenated interest in Recycler. To keep this short, I've loved the album ever since. I think a lot of people listened to it once, didn't like it, sold it and then forgot about. I urge people not to do that. If you buy an album and don't like it the first listen or so, put it away and then listen later. Only some albums hit you really sudden