Now in their sixth decade, ZZ Top has been one of the most enduring bands in rock history. They are also still remembered for one of the most surprising and memorable musical reinventions of the 1980s—a decade that saw many popular acts from the ‘70s retool their sound.
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But the Texas-based band should be known for more than their sludgy blues rock and MTV ubiquity. Their studio album discography is 15 albums deep and spans more than four decades—and every album (as of this writing in 2023) features the same three-man lineup: guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist and keyboardist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. The band also released RAW: That Little ‘Ol Band From Texas (Original Soundtrack) in 2022, one year after Hill’s death; it features Hill alongside Gibbons and Beard playing a live set at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas.
It’s tough to narrow ZZ Top’s discography down to a Top 5, but the albums below inarguably feature much of the band’s best work and, collectively, they show the variety contained within their sonic palette.
5. Tejas
This 1976 disc has a mellower, warmer sound than the band’s typical fare, and for that reason, it offers a nice change of pace. Tracks such as “El Diablo” and “Snappy Kakkie” still cook, but it’s more of a long simmer than a fast boil. “Ten Dollar Man” features a classic Gibbons solo, and album closer “Asleep in the Desert” is flat-out gorgeous. (Yes, a ZZ Top song can be accurately described as “gorgeous.”)
4. La Futura
On this 2012 album, ZZ Top’s last studio release before Hill’s passing, the band updated their sound again, as “I Gotsta Get Paid” and “Flyin’ High” sport a leaner, sparser feel. Those looking for the familiar ZZ Top vibe won’t be disappointed, though, with tracks like “Heartache in Blue” and “Chartreuse” finding the power trio in top form.
3. Eliminator
This uptempo album was a shock to the ears when it first came out in 1983, at least to those familiar with the less-polished, synthesizer-free sound of ZZ Top’s earlier albums. Taken on its own terms, however, Eliminator needs to be appreciated for its catchy, propulsive hits—namely, “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,”—which would likely have been on heavy rotation on AOR stations even if the Top hadn’t been a constant MTV presence at the time. Deeper cuts like “I Got the Six,” “Dirty Dog,” and “If I Could Only Flag Her Down” are just as worthy of a listen as the more-familiar hits.
[RELATED: Behind the Lusty ZZ Top Song “Legs”]
2. Degüello
Three years after the release of Tejas, ZZ Top returned with an album that included some of their most memorable tracks.“I Thank You,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” and “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” received generous airplay—and for good reason, with the former putting ZZ Top’s particular bluesy spin on the Sam & Dave original, and the latter two epitomizing the band’s playful side. The album is an enjoyable listen throughout, with “A Fool for Your Stockings” and “Manic Mechanic” ranking among the standout tracks.
1. Tres Hombres
On Eliminator, ZZ Top’s sound was crisp and precise thanks to the liberal use of drum machines, but it’s the magical synergy of the band’s three members that makes this 1973 entry a special album. And nowhere is that more apparent than on the album’s hit single “La Grange.” Gibbons and Beard get the song started with a gentle groove, until Beard’s thunderous fill kicks things into high gear more than half a minute in. The tune chugs along with Gibbons’ revving, repetitive riff, Beard’s steady, swinging beat, and Hill’s thumping bass line. And all of this is a setup for Gibbons’ blistering solos.
“La Grange” is just one of many highlights, with the heavy “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers,” the downtempo “Hot, Blue and Righteous,” and the Stones-tinged “Move Me on Down the Line” providing superb musicianship and variety. This was ZZ Top’s breakthrough album, and it still stands as the best in their catalog.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
