Afterburner

Afterburner has nothing to do with ZZ's blues roots or why they began playing music back in the 60's. Nope, it's all updated rythms and synths, double entendres and calculated hooks. That said, the album is a ton of fun! It's a bit hard to say whether they were selling out or just noodling around with new technology (or maybe some of both). And I don't give a rats ... about why they turned in this direction, just glad they did, even if just for a while. Party record: yes indeed! Record with brains: hung jury. Gibbons' guitar solos are still fantastic if not featured nearly as frequently as on previous outings. Absoulutely a kick ... solo on "Rough Boy," ... near one of my faves of all time. Also, this is one of the only times on the album where the fun lets up... only to let it air out for a few minutes! But with other titles such as "Woke Up with Wood," "Can't Stop Rockin'" and "Planet of Women" you prettymuch know exactly in which direction this material is headed. Yep, "I Got the Six" parts I, II, and III.