Recycler is one of those typical ZZ Top records. On the whole it seems to follow on from Eliminator and Afterburner, however in other ways, notably a reduction in tempo and the absence of synthesizers, it also marks a change in musical direction. "2000 Blues", for instance, sounds like Afterburner's "Rough Boy" on pot. Other tracks, like "Penthouse Eyes", "Lovething" and "Tell It", also reflect the slower change in pace, as well as introducing a new, seemingly experimental sound. In contrast, "Burger Man", "Decision or Collision" and "Doubleback" could quite comfortably squeeze in amongst tracks likes "I Need You Tonight", "Thug" or "Velcro Fly." And of course, there's the final track, "Doubleback", which was featured in Back to the Future III. As a slightly interesting fact, the band actually featured in the movie, minus their trademark sunnies, with Gibbons and Hill plucking away on accoustic guitars and Beard beating away on a primitive drum kit.
Overall, Recycler is an album that will appeal to the more adventurous and open-minded ZZ Top fan, and although it is closely related to it's two predecessors, it's probably not the ideal album to listen to for those who are justing getting into the Texas Weird Beard's works. B+
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