Eliminator
ZZ Top
1983
Album Summary
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". A Diamond certified album in the United States, Eliminator is ZZ Top's most commercially successful release, with sales of 20 million worldwide.Recorded in 1982, the album represents a further step of modernization by bandleader Billy Gibbons. Since El Loco in 1981, Gibbons had been edging the band's boogie and blues rock sound toward the popular new-wave/synth-rock aesthetic while retaining ZZ Top's signature electric guitar emphasis. For Eliminator, he increased the tempo and used more synthesizers and drum machines, producing a "tighter" album with a steady, driving beat. Pre-production engineer Linden Hudson collaborated with Gibbons in Texas on the album tempo and songs, then producer Bill Ham and engineer Terry Manning joined Gibbons in Memphis, Tennessee, to carefully craft the sound of each song after the full band was done recording, controversially replacing much of the contributions of bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard. Ham claimed the album was solely the work of ZZ Top, denying the involvement of others, but in 1986 Hudson won a lawsuit establishing himself as composer of the song "Thug". A series of music videos served as successful promotional tools—the similarly themed videos for "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs" received regular rotation on MTV and helped the band gain popularity with a younger base. A customized 1933 Ford coupe, depicted on the album cover, could be seen in three of the four videos. Following Eliminator's release, ZZ Top embarked on a worldwide concert tour. The video for "Legs" earned the band the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group. Rolling Stone named Eliminator number 398 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It was listed at number 39 in The 100 Greatest Albums of the 80s. A remastered version was released in 2008.
WikipediaI’m having trouble describing how I feel about ZZ Top. For the most part I love their hits, and so Sharp Dressed Man and Gimme All Your Lovin’ were great listens, as always. I really don’t care for their slower songs, and this album has two of those, including the hit, Legs. The rest of their songs kind of feel like slightly less good clones of their hits, making this a pretty consistent record, I suppose. For me that was really frustrating. Listening to the deep cuts was king of like… listening to your favorite song on a radio station whose range you are on the very edge of, so you’re getting some static and maybe someone reading off baseball scores. It would be better to just change the station rather than try and listen in those circumstances. And so as I made my way through this album, I just found myself wanting to go back to the singles at the top of the record, or not listen to it at all. By the way, all their records are like this for me, and I hope another one doesn’t show up on here. The exception that proves the rule is their greatest hits, which is pure fire. As far as belonging on this list, it’s mf’ing ZZ Top. It’s worth pointing out that basically all of my favorite artists list Billy Gibbons as a massive influence to them, so for that I am grateful. My personal enjoyment: 3/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5
Second album in a row that absolutely rips. The first few beats of the drum track that kicks off 'Gimme All Your Lovin'' is a free shot of dopamine every time. I think the songwriting is one point, the guitar playing is chewy, and Gibbons' rough voice contrasts wonderfully with the buzz and whoosh of the synths. They never really cracked it again properly, in my estimation - not totally - but as a synthesis of Texas boogie and new wave instrumentation, this was unique and never bettered.
I love Billy Gibbons (I was just listening to 'La Grange' the other day). He's an incredible guitarist, great vocalist, great songwriter, and a wonderful showman (in the most positive sense of the word). I do like this album and a lot of ZZ Top's work. When an artist (or anyone, really) is genuinely having fun at what they do, it's infectious. I lean more towards their more raw, "dirty blues" stuff because I do that generally when it comes to blues-based rock, but this is a fun album.
A guilty pleasure album for sure. Not a bad song on it, but the music isn't that great. It feels artificial somehow. I was very surprised to learn this was 80s music. It feels very 70s but with 80s production. I feel bad giving it a 3, but does it earn a 4? It's a 3.75.
This is a very good album, the story of how they dicked Linden Hudson really kind of sours it.
-S Tier- Gimme All Your Lovin’ Got Me Under Pressure Sharp Dressed Man -A Tier- I Need You Tonight -B Tier- Legs -C Tier- Thug Dirty Dog -D Tier- If I Could Only Flag Her Down Bad Girl -F Tier- TV Dinners AVG SCORE: 2.8 / 5 - - - I love ZZ Top up until right about…1983, and this album. It marked an evolutionary moment for the band. Their music, once bluesy and soulful, started leaning hard toward Pop Rock. And it wasn’t all bad. When you fire up Eliminator, you’re hit with some instant classics. But as the album wears on, you start to notice something: this shit is formulaic and hollow, and it all starts to sound the same. Sadly, I think it was a prophecy for the remaining life of ZZ Top. The band slowly degraded into some generic Rock trio, offering nothing of substance beyond a few cool music videos. Their sound would become over-processed. Their brand would become a caricature. And it all started with this forsaken album.
From the stark paranoid android landscape of OK Computer, we come to the party-time metronomic robot blues/pop of Eliminator. What a weird premise. Super processed guitars, thick sequencers, Frank Beard's syncopated quarter-note drumming, and blues-infused guitar producing some of the biggest hits of the '80s. Not to mention the entire album centers around Billy Gibbons' obsession with chasing (and catching) dirty women. But when it works, it's really good. The super-thick-slick sound is an accomplishment on its own, and when the riffs are good and the songs are solid, and Gibbons' incessant guitar work is flowing, this kills. But then there's the rest of the material. Some of the B-sides are just fine, but when Gibbon's sings "TV dinners, they're going to my head," it's really clear that the band is out of ideas. Where most of of the misogyny and adolescent lyrics are delivered with enough of a wink to excuse it as one big party, the weaker material makes the high points a lot less glossy. When this is great, it's a 4+, but the weaker material drags this down to a 3.14159265359...
My dad had this record. I don't think he had any of their earlier albums until much later, but this one pierced his Led Zeppelin shield. At the time all of the lyrics on this record were basically over my head as a single digits earthling but the guitars sounded boss and the car was cool. Later I'll come to ZZ Top's Rio Grande Mud through a brilliant cover of Just Got Paid by some noise rockers who really should've named themselves better. The casual Texas objectification aside, Eliminator is a solid album and I can see why, along with the beards, these guys were a big enough deal that my POP! (as he prefers it stylized) would've picked it up.
The music is far lower quality than La Grange, their first album , which was on 1001. Eliminator was made for and shows the impact of MTV. Good music was replaced with long beards, spinning guitars and enough hotties that you might think you were watching a 1980s beer commercial. On Spotify all that's left is the music.
An awesome rock album that blends blues with 80s dance music, creating timeless radio hits and fun.
Damn. This is a quality album that clearly shows off ZZ Top’s iconic style. A lot of great hits and a great overall album.
Great album, start to finish. Even enjoyed hearing a song about TV dinners.
What a great album. It's nothing but jam after jam that manage to just barely avoid being cheesy and, instead, come off as truly iconic. Just a really fun album.
great album for southern rock noodling. Knew lot of ZZ top but only actually recognized a few from this one. Love how an album can be so unabashedly horny, and still devote a song to tv dinners.
One word Wednesday: Dusty And I have to add that this album is better than most give it credit. Almost 40 years of several tracks being overplayed and several retrospectively-Uber-cheesy videos don’t help either. Also some great tunes that seldom hit the radio - “ I Got the Six” & “TV Dinners” 4.5 stars, but I’m rounding up in memory of recently departed Bass player Dusty Hill. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Listworthy = 👍
glad i listened - almost didn't - but now i know that one montage song from 30 rock when tracy and jenna go shopping, and that is priceless
If you don't like this, then frankly, there's no help for you. Absolutely rattles along with dirty funky riffs galore.
This album’s got Legs and I love to listen to it while eating my TV Dinners. BTW, its also got Gimme All Your Lovin, Got Me Under Pressure and Sharp Dressed Man. This is the album where they broke into a more mainstream sound from their blues band past. My favorite ZZ Top album. 5
-"Gimme All Your Lovin'" is such a catchy tune and the riff after the chorus is awesome -"Got Me Under Pressure" is such an awesome song and I'm surprised it isn't a bigger bit. Something about it is just so awesome. The guitar riff grooves, and the pattern of the lyrics makes it super catchy. Although, I do prefer the live version where the lyrics have a bit more oomph -"Sharp Dressed Man" is a ZZ Top Classic. Great riff, and I personally love the "...black tie (black tie)" bit. -"I Got the Six" is a totally rad song. The drum riff thing in the choruses is great, and the drumming just keeps an awesome beat behind the slick guitar work throughout. Some of these sound pretentious but it's cuz I would just be repeating myself for half these songs. Also the scream after like the second chorus is pretty crazy -"Legs" is a total classic, and the synth riff is pretty sweet, with plenty of "live" work over the top -"Thug" was actually the first song I heard from ZZ Top after knowing "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Cheap Sunglasses" for years. The syncopated slap bass stuff is so cool, it's like catchy and unpredictable. -"TV Dinners," "Dirty Dog," "If Only I Could Flag Her Down," and "Bad Girl" are all solid, but don't have some big standout feature -Overall super solid and grooving album
Give Me All Your Loving is a great boogying tune. Its not just the singles that have this deep and abiding sense of groove. What a kickass album.
This is ultimate ZZ Top. As my dad puts it, “ The great Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill along with Frank Beard….Created a great Blues-Rock fusion unparalleled in modern rock. Turn it up, open a cold beer and ENJOY!!!!” This is so true. Of course you have 3 of their biggest hits on this album (Sharp Dressed Man, Gimme All Your Lovin, and Legs” but “I Got the Six” and “Bad Girl” are so fun.
This is such a fun album, definitely more of a "pop" outing for ZZ Top than they're more bluesy stuff but it's a bop from front to back. Lots of classics in here, opening with Gimme All Your Lovin and just riding that wave through to the end.
Texan rock and roll, and childhood memories. Love it. I think the is the best ZZ Top album
Just a straight up fun album with lots of energy and some great musicianship! What's not to love about ZZ Top? This album also has some of their biggest hits! Put it on and enjoy from start to finish! Oh mercy!
One of the first records I ever bought with my own money. All killer No filler.
Rockend, maar toch zeer dansbaar! De mannen van ZZ-top weten hoen ze bluesrock moeten maken. topalbum
There's something irresistible about ZZ Top, and this album exemplifies that special something.
Under pressure is so nearly a classic - the riff is sublime but the verses and lyrics ruin it - a real shame. With a little adjustment it could have been a massive hit. Same with I got the six. When they manage to match verse & lyrics to a riff, the result is spectacular - hence 3 huge singles on the album. Guitar is utterly magnificent all through the album. Billy Gibbons is an awesome riff machine and fab guitarist. The album has a distinctive sound which tore through 1983.
Rock solid all the way through. I was quite familiar with all the singles, and have listened to the album completely several times in the past, and as usual it sneaks up on me just how good it is. Great balance between polished production and the fuzz and grunge of the distorted guitar. Memorable guitar work, catchy choruses. Everything that rock 'n' roll should be.
Dang, what a cool album. Metal, synthy, with a cool industrial beat. It’s fun and a great album to get pumped up to. Makes me want to go real fast in my car haha. A ton of great singles but a very cohesive album overall
One of my favorite albums. Dusty and Frank driving the rhythm under Billy's melodic blues guitar and vocals. Very formula based and gets a lot of criticism for sounding the same. Billy's guitar tone and vocal growl make all the difference. The song "Thug" shows they can get out of their formulaic comfort zone with effects and Dusty popping a syncopated rhythm. Not the best song but just proof that they aren't a one trick pony. It really doesn't matter as I can easily pass the time grooving along to every sing on this album, and suddenly it's over. Great music for long drives and just chilling with friends. This is the blues power trio not prog rock (another favorite genre of mine.) I'll gladly listen to this album over and over, just to discover something new and a renewed appreciation for the group.
My favourite ZZ album, great rock/blues 80s vibe, sharp dressed man is a jukebox killer.
Nice blues-rock album. Has some really great songs. The guitar solos and the music itself are not very complicated and quite basic from a technical perspective, but are very well executed. The flow/rhythm/energy in this album is great!
Really good album, lots of great rock classics. Favourite: Sharp Dressed Man
This is an outstanding bluesy rock album. Much more than the big radio hits.
I actually loved this album. So fully of energy from start to finish with two big hits in "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs", the latter my personal favorite ZZ Top song. I do wish it was a bit stronger in the last few songs but great nevertheless. 9/10.
So classic. A really unique sound and energy that is instantly recognizable.
A few of these songs have been burned into my memory after years of hearing them, but this is catchy stuff. Couldn't bring myself to give it less than 4/5.
Liked this much more than anticipated. Somehow, I never listened to any ZZ Top before. But they had some nice and groovy songs like "sharp dressed man" or "legs"
Goooood. I like it. Have always heard of ZZ Top but never gave them a listen.
sharp dressed man, legs, gimme all your lovin - some classics here. Texas rock blues
Easy to forget how hard ZZ rocks sometimes. Inspired me to make an Old Head Rock playlist.