Big-bearded boogie rockers ZZ Top really struck the jackpot when they released Eliminator in 1983. It preserved the boogie-woogie bluesy sound they had maintained since the early 1970s, and supplemented that sound with synthesizers, creating in the process a hard rock/boogie/new wave/blues concoction for the 1980s. And what a brilliant album it was. I loved it, I love it now, and I will always love it. And after reading reviews for its follow-up album, Afterburner, I quickly felt rather disappointed. For me, this was a continuation of Eliminator - the ongoing use of synthesizers, the "Eliminator" hotrod on the cover, even the sound wasn't a huge derviation from that of its critically acclaimed predecessor. But I insist, I absolutely insist that Afterburner is a great album. "Sleeping Bag", "Stages", "Woke Up With Wood", "Planet of Women" and "Delirious." Bugger it, I may as well list every damn song on the album. They're all good. Well, 'Dipping Low (in the Lap of Luxury) may be a tad lackluster. I hope you come to the same conclusion that I have, and never mind what other reviews might dare to say about this record. It's fantastic. A+
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