ZZ Top – Afterburner

Strange times but incredibly profitable ones for the Texas trio known as ZZ Top as the 1980’s rolled along. ‘Eliminator’ was a gigantic hit which charted for over two years and eventually went 10 times platinum. ZZ Top, a classic hard rock band from the 70’s had been found by MTV and became video superstars! A follow-up was inevitable and the band seemed to believe in the mantra of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ when ‘Afterburner’ was released in the fall of 1985. Synthesizers galore and some electronic drums ensured that this LP would remain an artifact of the glossy overproduction period. And while it may have brought the band grief from critics and the accusations of some fans of going to the hyper ‘80s production well too often, ‘Afterburner’ was also a massive seller. While it didn’t bring as many lasting classics as its predecessor, there were multiple hits including lead single/video “Sleeping Bag”, “Stages” and even a power ballad, “Rough Boy”. There are a few humorous moments as well, as you would expect from a band that had no problems with sexual innuendo as “Woke Up with Wood” and “Velcro Fly” are less than subtle, but they were all over the radio throughout 1986 and ‘87. I actually prefer the deep cuts “Dipping Low’ and “I Got the Message’ and absolutely hate “Velcro Fly”! Much of the rest of the songs don’t do much for me, especially the ones Dusty sings. True to their history, the boys toured this record hard and a long five years lapsed until the underrated ‘Recycler’ appeared in 1990, but this was due to their supergroup status. ‘Afterburner’ may not have converted the unbeliever or betrayed creative stagnation but it remains one of their most important records...dipping low in the lap of luxury, all aboard the Eliminator Spaceshuttle, next stop techno boogie wonderland..

This is a really solid sounding pressing. Mine’s in EXC and doesn’t sound too dissimilar to the OG CD, but I prefer the vinyl version (slightly better dynamics, a bit fuller sounding). A lot of the ZZ Top fans and critics didn’t like this album on release due to the heavy use of synthesisers and sequencers compared to their previous albums, but I don’t care! The tracks are as catchy and hard rocking as they are cheezy, which adds to the appeal.
Eliminator and Afterburner were my introduction to ZZ Top and Afterburner still stands as one of my favourite ZZ Top albums.

My version is pressed in the US but does not have any "MASTERDISK" printed in the runout. On the rear of the sleeve under MADE IN USA in RED it has black text that says "Manufactured by Columbia House under License". Hmmm a different variation not listed on Discogs? I must say the pressing is not very loud and the runout area is 1inch wide on each side. Any ideas?

I have a Warner Bros Lone Wolf album 1-25342 also stamped R 164042 that is Mfd. By RCA Music Service under License 6550 East 30th St. Indianapolis, In. Etched with 1-25342-B-SR5 and R-164042-B... barcode 7599-25342-1... info? I have another that is not mfd. by RCA that I was able to identify... but not this one..