ZZ Top.  A name any rock-blues fan should know.  They’ve put out a good amount of albums like Deguello and their self-titled debut.  And now they can add La Futura to their big collection.

The first song, “Gotsta Get Paid”, makes you want to keep listening to the rest of the album when the song is done.  It starts out with a hard guitar riff that leads into the rest of an amazing song.  The song isn’t very impressive on the vocals, but Billy Gibbons isn’t going to sing like Aretha Franklin.   Frank Beard’s drumming isn’t Keith Moon caliber, but it matches the style and feel of the tune.  The song’s depth is buoyed by Beard’s steady, rhythmic timekeeping. Billy Gibbon’s grinding guitar and Dusty Hill’s powerful vocals and pounding bass fit the overall tone of the album’s opener.

The next song, “Over You”, is a slow, sad, ballad.  Hill’s singing is featured here and there is a guitar solo in the middle of the song.  It is a very nice change from fast paced rock-blues, to a slow ballad.

Another stellar cut is “Have a Little Mercy”.   This is the last song in the album, and it ends the album appropriately.  It has a good guitar riff, simple drums, good lyrics, and a great guitar solo.

The final song that I will review, “It’s Too Easy Manana”, is a third great song.  It’s a nice, slow, bluesy cut.  It has a good guitar solo and the sound of Billy Gibbons voice just completes the feel of the song.  This song provides a good change of pace from their previous fast-paced, hard-charging tunes.

All in all, this is a very good album.  It has some really good songs that are nice and fast, but it also has nice slow, blues songs.  If you liked the songs I described and would like to hear them anytime, go onto ITunes, buy the album La Futura, and enjoy these wonderful songs.

Overall Rating: A-