The album title refers not to raunchy erotica nor to hard drink; it refers to ZZ Top's 30 year history. But this offering from that little ol' band from Texas is as potent as secret hooch or libidinous encounters. The guitars and groove are saturated in fuzz, gritty, greasy, and irresistible. Gibbons, Hill, and Beard incorporate some beats and sounds that would otherwise be hip-hop and turn them into, well, ZZ Top (on "Crucifixx-A-Flatt" and "Beatbox"). Tracks "36-22-36," "Poke Chop Sandwich," and "Fearless Boogie" are timeless Top. The last four tracks are live, including a blues version of Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear" and Jeff Beck guest vocalizing on "Hey Mr. Millionaire." I've found this album only gets better the more you cruise with it, and it stays in my car CD a lot.

OK, who in the room has listened to ZZ since the seventies, raise your hand? How can three guys from the Texas continue to produce music so infectious that a 40 year old fat man will get up and dance to it? If your looking for the latest grunge or hip-hop sounds then avoid this CD. If you like rock-and-roll then this CD is for you.

Back in early October, I gave a less than complimentary review of "XXX." But boy-howdy was I ever wrong! I had only listened to "XXX" a couple of times before writing the review, and since then, I've hardly taken it out of my CD player! It really grows on you and in my opinion, it's much better than the last effort "Rythmean." The only thing that bothers me is that "Poke Chop Sandwich" or "Trippin" aren't getting any radio play, two of the better tracks on the CD. Anyway, overall, it's an excellent effort, and I give it a "thumbs up" 3 Stars. Buy it...you'll be glad you did!

When I finished listening to XXX, I slowly removed my headphones, feeling disjointed from the universe as I realized the world has moved on without ZZ Top. By the sound of their latest effort (a word that may not be appropriate), all three band members had a different idea (another word that may not be appropriate) for every song, and played it their own way. Drums don't match lead guitar. Lead guitar doesn't match bass. Bass doesn't match Vocals. And ZZ Top doesn't match this catastrophic album. It hurts to have to admit that the ZZ Top we all know and love, all the way from "Goin Down to Mexico" and "Chevrolet" on their first album, to "Decision or Collision" and "Velcro Fly" during their peak in the late 80's, to the rough yet empowering beats of the 90's such as "Fuzzbox Voodoo" and "Hairdresser"...have all been completely ignored by an album that is no less than a proclimation of insanity. Nevertheless, I have been able to prevent from throwing up by reminding myself that very few bands have managed to release only one bad album in a career spanning over 30 years.

This recording is one of the most mature and creative recordings, of ZZ Top, to date. The drum patterns are ultra-cool and the overall vibe is even somewhat avante-garde (but in a good way). In short, it's modern and retro all in one fell swoop. And each subsequent listen gives something new. Give it a try!