Afterburner (ZZ Top album)

Last updated

Afterburner
ZZ Top - Afterburner.jpg
Studio album by
ZZ Top
ReleasedOctober 28, 1985
RecordedMarch–July 1985
Genre
Length37:02
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Bill Ham
ZZ Top chronology
Eliminator
(1983)		Afterburner
(1985)		 The Six Pack
(1987)
Singles from Afterburner
  1. "Sleeping Bag"
    Released: October 1985
  2. "Stages"
    Released: December 1985
  3. "Rough Boy"
    Released: March 1986
  4. "Velcro Fly"
    Released: July 1986
  5. "Planet of Women"
    Released: January 1987

Afterburner is the ninth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985. Although critics' response to the album was lukewarm, Afterburner was a commercial success, eventually going platinum five times and launching one hit single: "Sleeping Bag" which peaked at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, equaling the peak of their previous single "Legs". The album yielded three other Top 40 singles in the United States: "Stages" (no. 21), "Rough Boy" (no. 22), and "Velcro Fly" (no. 35).

Contents

In the UK, it was the band's second album to be certified by the British Phonographic Industry, attaining Gold (100,000 units) in 1985. In 1990, it was certified Platinum (300,000 units).

Recording

The album has songs with sequenced keyboard beds. [3] It was the first ZZ Top record since Rio Grande Mud without involvement from longtime engineer Terry Manning. [4] Manning was willing to work on the album but was unavailable because of other commitments, and the band utilized some material, including part of "Can't Stop Rockin'", that was leftover from the sessions of the band's previous album, Eliminator . [5]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The Village Voice B [11]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated: "Well, if you just had your biggest hit ever, you'd probably try to replicate it, too. And if you were praised for being visionary because you played all your blues grooves to a slightly sequenced beat, you'd probably be tempted to not just continue in that direction, but to tighten the sequencer and graft on synthesizers, since it'll all signal how futuristic you are. [...] Problem is, no matter how much you dress ZZ Top up, they're still ZZ Top. Sometimes they can trick you into thinking they're a little flashier than usual, but they're still a lil' ol' blues band from Texas, kicking out blues-rockers. And blues-rock just doesn't kick when it's synthesized. [...] All this means that Afterburner is merely a product of its time -- the only record ZZ Top could have made at the time, but it hardly exists out of that time." Rolling Stone said "Afterburner may simply represent a transitional phase in this gifted eccentric's development as well as a tricky period in ZZ Top's continuing evolution from bell-bottom-blues band to sharp-dressed pop machine." [12]

Robert Christgau gave a B score, stating: "With sales on Eliminator over five mil almost by accident, this hard-boogieing market strategy is defined by conscious commercial ambition--by its all but announced intention of making ZZ the next Bruce/Madonna/Prince/Michael, with two beards and a Beard at every checkout counter." Christgau cited "Rough Boy" and "Velcro Fly" as the highlights of the album.

The album was the band's first to hit number 1, topping the charts in New Zealand. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200, at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, and at number 6 on the Australian albums chart. [13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Sleeping Bag"4:02
2."Stages"3:32
3."Woke Up with Wood"3:45
4."Rough Boy"4:50
5."Can't Stop Rockin'"3:01
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Planet of Women"4:04
7."I Got the Message"3:27
8."Velcro Fly"3:29
9."Dipping Low (In the Lap of Luxury)"3:11
10."Delirious"3:41

Personnel

Production

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [30] 2× Platinum140,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [31] 3× Platinum300,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [32] Platinum62,795 [32]
France (SNEP) [33] Gold100,000*
Germany (BVMI) [34] 3× Gold750,000^
Japan (RIAJ) [35] Gold100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [36] Platinum15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway) [37] Silver25,000 [37]
Sweden (GLF) [38] Platinum100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [39] Platinum50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [40] Platinum300,000^
United States (RIAA) [41] 5× Platinum5,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZZ Top</span> American rock band

ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. For 51 years, it consisted of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, until Hill's death in 2021. ZZ Top developed a signature sound based on Gibbons' blues style and Hill and Beard's rhythm section. They are known for their live performances, sly and humorous lyrics, and the matching appearances of Gibbons and Hill, who wore sunglasses, hats and long beards.

<i>ZZ Tops First Album</i> 1970 studio album by ZZ Top

ZZ Top's First Album is the debut studio album by American rock band ZZ Top, produced by Bill Ham and released in January 1971 by London Records. Establishing ZZ Top's attitude and humor, the album incorporates styles such as blues, boogie, hard rock, and Southern rock influences. "(Somebody Else Been) Shakin' Your Tree" was the only single released from the album.

<i>Tres Hombres</i> 1973 studio album by ZZ Top

Tres Hombres is the third studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released on July 26, 1973, by London Records. It was the band's first collaboration with engineer Terry Manning. The album would be ZZ Top's commercial breakthrough in the United States charts. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 1974. Its lead single "La Grange" reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the first of many ZZ Top albums to incorporate the use of Spanish terminology in their branding. "Tres Hombres" means "three men" in Spanish.

<i>Degüello</i> 1979 studio album by ZZ Top

Degüello is the sixth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in November 1979. It was the first ZZ Top release on Warner Bros. Records and eventually went platinum. It was produced by Bill Ham, recorded and mixed by Terry Manning, and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

<i>El Loco</i> 1981 studio album by ZZ Top

El Loco is the seventh studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1981. It foreshadowed the band's extensive usage of synthesizers on Eliminator, Afterburner, and to a lesser extent, Recycler, by way of employing a synthesizer on a couple tracks, played by an uncredited Linden Hudson.

<i>Antenna</i> (ZZ Top album) 1994 studio album by ZZ Top

Antenna is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1994. It was the band's first album to be released on the RCA label.

<i>XXX</i> (ZZ Top album) 1999 studio album (with live elements) by ZZ Top

XXX is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in September 1999. The album's title commemorates the band's 30th anniversary.

<i>Tejas</i> (album) 1976 studio album by ZZ Top

Tejas is the fifth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top. It was released in late November 1976, on the London label. The title is a Caddo language word meaning "friends", which is the origin of the name of the band's home state, Texas.

<i>Eliminator</i> (album) 1983 studio album by ZZ Top

Eliminator is the eighth studio album by American rock band ZZ Top. It was released on March 23, 1983, by Warner Bros. Records, and rose high on the charts in many countries. Four hit singles were released—"Gimme All Your Lovin'" which reached the American Top 40, "Sharp Dressed Man", "TV Dinners" and their most successful single, "Legs". Eliminator is ZZ Top's most commercially successful release, with sales of 11 million and diamond certification in the US.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (ZZ Top album) 1992 greatest hits album by ZZ Top

Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1992.

<i>One Foot in the Blues</i> 1994 compilation album by ZZ Top

One Foot in the Blues is a compilation album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1994. The album contains a selection of the band's songs which fall into the blues genre. With the exception of the songs taken from the Degüello, El Loco, Eliminator and Recycler albums, the 1987 digital remixes were used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Hill</span> American musician (1949–2021)

Joe Michael "Dusty" Hill was an American musician who was the bassist of the rock band ZZ Top for more than 50 years. He also sang backing and lead vocals and played keyboards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legs (song)</span> 1984 single by ZZ Top

"Legs" is a song by the band ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. The song was released as the fourth single in May 1984 more than a year after the album came out. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and the dance mix version of the song peaked at number 13 on the dance charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stages (song)</span> 1986 single by ZZ Top

"Stages" is a song by American rock band ZZ Top. It was released as the second single from their ninth studio album Afterburner (1985). It peaked at number 21 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velcro Fly</span> 1986 single by ZZ Top

"Velcro Fly" is the fourth single off ZZ Top's 1985 album Afterburner. The song peaked at #15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, the band's last ever top 40 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rough Boy</span> 1986 single by ZZ Top

"Rough Boy" is a song by the American rock band ZZ Top. It was released by Warner Bros. Records in the US in March 1986, as the third single from their ninth studio album, Afterburner. The song reached No. 5 on the Album Rock Tracks chart and No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as No. 23 in the UK Singles Chart. Unlike the other songs on the album, this song has a much slower tempo and is more of a power ballad. It also shares a similar tune to their song "Leila", from their seventh studio album, El Loco.

<i>Live from Texas</i> 2008 live album by ZZ Top

Live from Texas is a live DVD/Blu-ray by ZZ Top. It was recorded on November 1, 2007, at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas, and released on June 24, 2008, by Eagle Rock Records. It was also released on audio CD in Europe on October 28, 2008, and in the US on November 4, 2008. A vinyl version is also available in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Bag (song)</span> 1985 single by ZZ Top

"Sleeping Bag" is a song performed by the band ZZ Top from their 1985 album Afterburner.

<i>Recycler</i> (album) 1990 studio album by ZZ Top

Recycler is the tenth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in October 1990. It was the last album to utilize the band's synthesizer-driven production style which began on Eliminator and marked a return to the band's blues roots.

<i>La Futura</i> 2012 studio album by ZZ Top

La Futura is the fifteenth studio album by American rock band ZZ Top, released on September 8, 2012. It is the band's first album in nine years, following Mescalero, and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard "Top Rock Albums" chart. La Futura is also the last studio album released in bassist Dusty Hill's lifetime.

References

  1. 1 2 "ZZ Top Afterburner review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "ZZ Top Afterburner review". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  3. ↑ "The One after the Big One: ZZ Top, AFTERBURNER | Rhino". www.rhino.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ "ZZ Top- Afterburner 35th Anniversary- Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard". In The Studio with Redbeard. October 18, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  5. ↑ "ZZ Top's 'Afterburner' Stage Was Originally Intended for Loverboy". Ultimate Classic Rock. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "ZZ Top Afterburner review". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0195313734.
  8. ↑ Wall, Mick (November 14, 1985). "ZZ Top 'Afterburner'". Kerrang! . Vol. 107. London, UK: Morgan Grampian. pp. 23–24.
  9. ↑ "ZZ Top Afterburner review". Q . Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  10. ↑ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "ZZ Top". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  907-8. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  11. ↑ Christgau, Robert (December 3, 1985). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  12. ↑ "ZZ Top Afterburner review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  13. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 348. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  15. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – ZZ Top – Afterburner" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0607". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – ZZ Top – Afterburner" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  18. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet . Vol. 2, no. 48. December 2, 1985. p. 15. Retrieved February 3, 2022– via World Radio History.
  19. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  20. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – ZZ Top – Afterburner" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Charts.nz – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  26. ↑ "ZZ Top Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1985 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand . Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts . Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1986 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand . Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  30. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Dusty Hill In-House Canadian Afterburner Record Award". November 15, 2023.
  32. 1 2 "ZZ Top" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Les Certifications depuis 1973: Albums". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved December 10, 2012. (select "ZZ Top" from drop-down list)
  34. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (ZZ Top; 'Afterburner')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Dusty Hill In-House Japanese Afterburner Record Award". November 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  37. 1 2 "Dusty Hill Afterburner Norwegian Record Award". November 15, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Dusty Hill Afterburner Swedish Record Award". November 15, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music and Media . American Radio History Archive. December 26, 1987. p. 46. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  40. ↑ "British album certifications – ZZ Top – Afterburner". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  41. ↑ "American album certifications – ZZ Top – Afterburner". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 10, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.