ZZ Top Album: “Deguello”

"Deguello" doubtless is ZZ Top's masterpiece; a definitive record that perfectly wedded their blues aesthetic to their hillbilly-rock roots. Long before the band became an MTV favorite with a brand, spankin' new, watered down, processed guitar sound that became synonymous with the early '80s (just like "Miami Vice" and blow), Billy Gibbons and the boys turned in this "freak power" collection that kicked off with Soul classic "I Thank You," rolled effortlessly to white trash anthem "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide," and completed with the trippy, disturbing blues lament, "Esther Be The One." Around the middle of the journey through this fine album, the band even walks a psychedelic line for the sadly forgotten "Manic Mechanic," which one will likely never hear during any classic rock dinosaur's "rock block weekend." Not even during two-fer Tuesday. And it's a god damned shame. If you own no other ZZ Top record, buy this one and let it make a man of you. Ya big sissy.

I canft argue with ZZ Top's decision to go slightly techno in Eliminator. Similar to Aerosmith's resurgence, it introduced them to a whole new, "younger" audience and propelled them to mass acceptance. They deserved all the kudos. While Eliminator is a good enough to stand on its own two feet, Deguello is more the heart and soul of ZZ Top.

One thing I've always admired about Billy Gibbons is his penchant for timely yet tasty riffs. He is a master of guitar phrasing and those who rely upon hitting a hundred notes as fast as they can, would do better taking Billy's example of restraint. They are a guitar band, no doubt, but the guitar is part of the overall song in terms of rhythm not full of long, redundant solos to highlight one's skills.

I love every track on Deguello but I'm Bad I'm Nationwide, Lowdown in the Streets, and Fool for Your Stockings really do it for me. Not just a blues band, they always seem to have this "Boogie" groove to their music and results in a Southern-fried kind of sound. The lyrics and feel of I'm Nationwide, really sum up what ZZ Top is all about. Deguello is also an excellent driving selection. Who canft see themselves in a convertible with the top down on a hot summer evening listening to I Love My Automobile?

If you like unpretentious, straight ahead, Southern blues rock, Deguello will fit the bill very nicely indeed. For aspiring guitarists, make note of Billy's unique sense of timing.

I think that on DEGUELLO, ZZ TOP was really firing on all cylinders. I just love this album. It is a slab of now frills blues based rock music that keeps the listener hooked in to the songs. All the songs here rock, I cant find any filler material here. On this album, we have the classic tracks I'M BAD, I'M NATIONWIDE, CHEAP SUNGLASSES, and I THANK YOU. Those 3 songs are reason enough to buy this album. The good songs dont stop there however, if you want more good music, I suggest that you listen to DUST MY BROOM, A FOOL FOR YOUR STOCKINGS, MANIC MECAHNIC. Like I said earlier, there isnt a single song on this album that doesnt rock, and I like listening to the whole album. If you are a fan of real music, than ZZ TOP is a band whose music you should have.

ZZ Top be cool, man! And sho nuff BAD! They also know how to play the blues, and boogie with the best! They do it all right here on Deguello (1979). The album has one foot in the blues and boogie of their 1970s sound, and the other foot in the cool, bluesy working class chic of their 1980s sound.

It opens with a funky, slide guitar laden cover of Sam And Dave's I Thank You. Like just about everything else Billy Gibbons does, this is a little bit toungue-in-cheek, but it's a cool sound and great start to the album. The swaggering strut of I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide connected with ZZ fans in a big way, and Low Rider ain't got nuthin' on this baby!

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

They sportin' short dresses, wearing spike-heel shoes

Smokin' Lucky Strikes and wearing nylons, too

Cause we bad, we nationwide

Yeah, we bad

...We Nationwide

Fool For Your Stockings is ZZ Top's best slow blues, and the smokin' guitar licks make the song a classic. The wry and sexy lyrics are great, too. Their cover of Robert Johnson's Dust My Broom works just fine, and the twisted Manic Mechanic and She Loves My Automobile are a lot of fun, too. The bluesy and sly Cheap Sunglasses is deservedly one of ZZ Top's most famous and popular songs. It's in the same low-rent neighborhood as I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide, only this time it's the morning after with hangover-induced paranoia.

Now go out and get yourself some big black frames

With the glass so dark they won't even know your name

Deguello is one of ZZ Top's very best albums, and it's definitely their coolest and baddest one. It's essential for any ZZ Top collection, so go out and get this one, and don't forget those cheap sunglasses!

I am a Native Houstonian so I have a certain bias for ZZ TOP. I am 30 and have listened to them for over 20 years now, and without a doubt they are one of the best American rock bands ever. Deguello is their best and most complete album, not to mention it is a great party album. With ZZ Top it is simple, they sing about women, sex, cars and Drugs/alcohol, most times all in the same song. The opening track is a very blunt sexual cover of "Thank You" followed by the rockabilly sounding "She Loves My Automobile" and the classic " I'm Bad I'm Nationwide". Every song on the album seems to have the blussiness of their first albums and the pollish of their later radio friendly sound. The diamond out of all the gems on the album is "Cheap Sunglasses". It captures what ZZ Top is all about, the mood and feeling of a rocking blues guitar, bass and drums. ZZ Top is all about mood and Deguello puts you there. So go ahaed and get Lowdown in the Streets and party!...