ZZ Top - Mescalero

Review by Tango Clip Music Hall

Album Review: ZZ Top’s Mescalero ZZ Top’s 2009 release, Mescalero, is a gritty yet polished journey through the band’s signature blend of rock, blues, and boogie. With genres spanning Hard Rock to Southern Rock and styles ranging from Blues-Rock to Classic Rock, this album feels like a love letter to their roots while still pushing toward something fresh. Released across multiple countries—from Russia to Japan, Brazil to Canada—the record carries a global appeal that speaks volumes about ZZ Top’s enduring legacy. Produced by Billy F. Gibbons (the man, the myth, the beard) and mastered by G.L. 'G-Mane' Moon, Mescalero delivers exactly what fans crave: raw guitar riffs, groovy basslines courtesy of Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard’s steady drumming. The credits alone tell you this was a labor of love, with contributions from Joe Hardy on recording and mixing duties. Now, let’s get into two standout tracks that stick in your head long after the needle lifts off the vinyl—or, well, after you hit pause on Spotify. First up is “Qué Lástima.” This track kicks things off with swagger. Billy F. Gibbons’ raspy vocals paired with his unmistakable guitar licks make it impossible not to nod along. It’s got that bluesy grit but also an upbeat energy that screams road trip anthem. You can almost picture yourself cruising down a desert highway as the sun sets. Then there’s “Stackin’ Paper,” which brings a different vibe altogether. It’s funky, punchy, and just plain fun. The groove here is infectious—like when someone starts tapping their foot uncontrollably at a bar. There’s something oddly satisfying about how simple yet effective the lyrics are; they’re relatable without being overthought. Tracks like these remind you why ZZ Top has stayed relevant for decades—they know how to craft songs that feel timeless. The album artwork deserves a shoutout too. Designed by Ryk Maverick, it perfectly captures the outlaw-meets-rockstar aesthetic ZZ Top embodies. And props to Mike Waring for the photography—it adds another layer of authenticity to the whole package. But here’s the kicker: despite its strengths, Mescalero isn’t perfect. Some tracks blend together if you’re not paying close attention, and a few moments feel more filler than fire. Still, those imperfections give the album character. After all, perfection’s boring, right? In reflection, listening to Mescalero feels like catching up with an old friend who’s still got plenty of stories to tell. Sure, some tales might meander, but others hit the mark so hard you’ll laugh out loud or shake your head in agreement. Maybe that’s ZZ Top’s secret—they don’t try too hard to reinvent themselves because they already perfected their formula years ago. So grab a cold one, crank up the volume, and let Mescalero take you on a ride. Just don’t blame us if you find yourself air-guitaring in your living room.

Artist: ZZ Top
Album: Mescalero

2003

Rating: 5.0

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Filename: zz-top-mescalero.zip

MP3 size: 114.4 mb
FLAC size: 1567.8 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Punk Ass Boyfriend	3:5
Alley-Gator	3:29
Silence	0:21
Dusted	3:56
Alley Gator	3:29
As Time Goes By	4:27
(no audio)	0:23
Piece	4:19
Me So Stupid	3:33
What It Is Kid	4:13
Goin' So Good	5:34
Tramp	5:12
Mescalero	3:49
Stackin' Paper	2:58
Two Ways To Play
Sanctify	4:19
Que Lastima
Stackin' Paper
What Would You Do	3:3
Buck Nekkid	3:2
As time Goes By	4:30
Goin' So Good
Crunchy	3:13
Liquor	3:20
Two Ways to Play	4:15
Qué Lástima	4:24

Video

ZZTop Two Ways To Play

ZZ TOP - Crunchy

ZZ Top Alley Gator

Images

Catalog Numbers

Labels

BMG
RCA
Sony Music
AveNew Productions
RCA, BMG Russia, Music Factory Group
Warner Music Group
RCA, Lone Wolf Productions, BMG Russia
BMG, RCA
Not On Label
BMG France
Direct Music

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
écouter en ligne
lyssna på nätet
lytte på nettet
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea
online anhören
online luisteren
ouvir online

Formats

CDr
Album
Promo
17 × File
MP3
VBR
CD
Copy Protected
A5 Cardboard sleeve
Cassette
Unofficial Release
Reissue
Club Edition

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	BMG
Copyright (c)	Lone Wolf Production Company
Record Company	BMG
Manufactured By	BMG Distribution
Distributed By	BMG Distribution
Pressed By	Sonopress USA
Manufactured For	ООО "Астико-Центр"
Published By	Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc.
Mastered At	Foam Box Recordings
Mixed At	Casa De Joe
Glass Mastered At	Sonopress Arvato
Recorded At	Foam Box Recordings
Licensed From	RCA
Made By	Sonopress-Rimo da Amazônia Indústria e Comércio Fonográfica Ltda.

Credits

Role	Credit
Written-By	Billy F Gibbons (tracks: 1 to 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 to 16), Dusty Hill (tracks: 11), Herman Humpfeld (tracks: 17), Joe Hardy (tracks: 6, 9), Lowell Fulsom (tracks: 13)
Producer	Billy F. Gibbons
Mastered By	G. L. 'G-Mane' Moon
Recorded By	Joe Hardy
Mixed By	Joe Hardy
A&R	Steve Ralbovsky
Bass	Dusty Hill
Vocals	Dusty Hill
Concept By	Ryk Maverick
Layout	Ryk Maverick
Design	Ryk Maverick
Drums	Frank Beard
Guitar	Billy F Gibbons
Photography By	Mike Waring
Design Concept	Ryk Maverick
Liner Notes	北村和哉

Notes

Advance Promo in CDR Slimline Jewel Case
(P) 2003 BMG
This is the Sonopress glass master version.
Both this version and the Sonopress Arvato glass master version ZZ Top - Mescalero which has Sonopress Arvato logo in the matrix have a hidden track "As Time Goes By" after approx. 20 seconds silence at the end of Track 16.
Track 16 contains a Hidden Track after about 0:20 of silence - "As Time Goes By".
CD comes with a 8-page booklet in a standard jewel case
a replica of original release
Track 16 contains a hidden track after about 0:20 of silence - "As Time Goes By".
Advance Music.
Plain cardboard sleeve with a sticker on it.
No Hidden Track like the official release.
℗ 2003 BMG / ZZ Top
© 2003 Lone Wolf Production Company
Made in the EU
This is the Sonopress Arvato version.
Both this version and the Sonopress glass master version ZZ Top - Mescalero which has Sonopress logo in the matrix have a hidden track "As Time Goes By" after approx. 20 seconds silence at the end of Track 16.s
Rights Society on CD Face: BIEM/GEMA
Label Code on CD face and back cover: LC00316
Package includes an 8-page booklet including front cover, cartoon artwork and credits pages.
Song Publishing information
Tracks 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,10,12,14,15,16 Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP)
"What It Is Kid": Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Dust Hill House Music, Inc. (ASCAP) / Beardwalk Music, Inc. (ASCAP) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP)
"Me So Stupid": Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Famous Music (BMI) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP)
"Stackin' Paper": Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Famous Music (BMI) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP)
"Tramp" - Budget Music (BMI) / Careers-BMG Music Publishing (BMI)
Track 17.1 is a bonus track for Japan.
Track 17.3 is not listed anywhere.
Comes with an extra booklet with liner notes in Japanese plus lyrics in English and Japanese.
Band name and title on the obi are ZZトツプ "メスカレロ".
Recorded at Foam Box Recordings, H-Town, Texas / Mixed at Casa De Joe, H-Town, Texas.
All original songs published by Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP), except "What It Is Kid" published by Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Dust Hill House Music, Inc. (ASCAP) / Beardwalk Music, Inc. (ASCAP) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP); "Me So Stupid" published by Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Famous Music (BMI) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP); "Stackin' Paper" published by Billy G's Hollywood Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Famous Music (BMI) / Songs Of Mosaic (ASCAP).
"Tramp" published by Budget Music (BMI) / Careers-BMG Music Publishing (BMI).
On back cover:
The RCA records label is a Unit of BMG / Tmk(s) ® Registered / Marca(s) Registrada(s) [RCA logo] Trademark Management S.A. / BMG logo is a trademark of BMG Music / ZZ TOP ® and the ZZ TOP ® logo are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. © 2003 Lone Wolf Production Company.
Manufactured by BMG Funhouse, Inc., Tokyo, Japan. All rights reserved. Tmk(s) registered. Stereo.
On back of booklet:
The RCA records label is a Unit of BMG / Tmk(s) ® Registered / Marca(s) Registrada(s) [RCA logo] Trademark Management S.A. / BMG logo is a trademark of BMG Music / ZZ TOP ® and the ZZ TOP ® logo are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. © 2003 Lone Wolf Production Company. / BVCP-21304.
On disc:
The RCA records label is a Unit of BMG / Tmk(s) ® Registered / Marca(s) Registrada(s) [RCA logo] Trademark Management S.A. / BMG logo is a trademark of BMG Music / ℗ 2003 BMG / ZZ TOP ® and the ZZ TOP ® logo are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. © 2003 Lone Wolf Production Company. / Stereo BVCP-21304(82876-52217-2).
Brazilian Release
Printed on back cover:
℗ 2003 Warner Music © 2003 Warner Music
Made in EU
Packaged in a Jewel case + 4-page booklet.
Cat # taken from the CD matrix.

Barcodes

ASIN: B002UUV3SQ
Barcode: 828765165426
Label Code: LC 00316
Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): [Sonopress logo] 50817443/82876516542 21
Mastering SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI LB47
Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 0761
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2): [Sonopress logo] 50817443/82876516542 04
Mastering SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI LB45
Mould SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI RV10
Matrix / Runout (Variant 3): [Sonopress logo] 50817443/82876516542 03
Mastering SID Code (Variant 3): IFPI LB45
Mould SID Code (Variant 3): IFPI RV06
Barcode (Text): 8 28765 16542 6
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): SONY DADC A0102250527-0101 23 A00
Mastering SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI L553
Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 94K8
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2): SONY DADC A0102250527-0101 12 A00
Mastering SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI L552
Mould SID Code (Variant 2): none
Matrix / Runout (Variant 3): SONY DADC A0102250527-0101 23 A00
Mastering SID Code (Variant 3): IFPI L553
Mould SID Code: IFPI 94K2
Barcode: 8 28765 16544 0
Barcode: 8 28765 11682 4
Matrix / Runout ('A01' is stamped and mirrored): [sonopress logo] + + A01 C9609-02 82876511682
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L028
Mould SID Code: IFPI 1004
Barcode: 8 28765 61544 0
Matrix / Runout: [Sonopress logo] 50817443/82876516542 21
Barcode: 7 24352 30642 8
Matrix / Runout: OL 2529
Barcode: 8 28765 61542 6
Label Code: LC 11063
Mould SID Code: IFPI UN14
Matrix / Runout: BMG Russia [logo] 82876 56154 2
Pressing Plant ID: ООО"Астико - центр" лицензия МПТР России ВАФ 77-40
Barcode (Scanned): 828765165426
Label Code: LC00316
Matrix / Runout: [Sonopress Arvato logo] 50817443/82876516542 21
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LB47
Mould SID Code: IFPI 0761
Barcode: 4 988017 615171
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L026
Mould SID Code: ifpi 0904
Matrix / Runout: SONT /BVCP21304 A
Matrix / Runout (Pressing Code - opposite side of Master SID Code): 115746
Rights Society: JASRAC
Rights Society: ASCAP
Rights Society: BMI
Other (Release date code): 03・9・25 (03・9・25) ⓎⓍ
Other (Price): 定価 ¥2,548
Other (Price excluding tax): (税抜価格¥2,427)
Other (White-colored printed text around the center hole on printed side of disc): 見本品　ＳＡＭＰＬＥ
Other (Price valid until date): (再)04・3・24まで
Barcode: 828765116824
Barcode: 7 33300 99858 5
Matrix / Runout: LXZ 040448
Label Code: D148340
Barcode (Text): 4 60124 5987465
Barcode (String): 4601245987465
Matrix / Runout: RK411

About ZZ Top

ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill who is replaced (to Dusty's wishes) by former basstechnician Elwod Francis after Hills death july 28 2021. The band and its members went through several reconfigurations throughout 1969, achieving their current form when Hill replaced bassist Billy Etheridge in February 1970, shortly before the band was signed to London Records. Etheridge's departure issued primarily from his unwillingness to be bound by a recording contract. Since the release of the band's debut album in January 1971, ZZ Top has become known for its strong blues roots and humorous lyrical motifs, relying heavily on double entendres and innuendo. ZZ Top's musical style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired rock on their early albums, then incorporating New Wave, punk rock and dance-rock, with heavy use of synthesizers. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. As a group, ZZ Top possesses 11 gold records and 7 platinum (13 multi-platinum) records; their 1983 album, Eliminator, remains the group's most commercially successful record, selling over 10 million units. ZZ Top also ranks 80th in U.S. album sales, with 25 million units.

Name Vars

22 Top
Top
Tres Hombres
XX Top
Z Z Top
Z. Z. Top
Z.Z. Top
Z.Z.ÈÃ×
ZZ Tops
ZZ Top®
ZZ-Top
ZZTop
ZZtop
ZZÈÃ×
Zz Top
ЗЗ-Топ
Зи Зи Топ

Members

Billy Gibbons
Frank Beard
Lanier Greig
Dan Mitchell
Elwood Francis
Joe Michael Hill

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that ZZ Top's album *Mescalero*, released in 2009, blends a wild mix of genres like Hard Rock, Blues Rock, and even Boogie Rock? It’s got tracks written by Billy F. Gibbons, the band’s iconic guitarist, but here’s the kicker—there’s also a song co-written by bassist Dusty Hill and another credited to Herman Humpfeld. The album saw releases across over 10 countries, from the US to Japan, under multiple labels like RCA and BMG. And fun fact: it includes two versions of "Stackin' Paper" and "Alley Gator," keeping fans on their toes. Not bad for a band that’s been rocking since the '70s!

Comments

sordidwidget77

2025-03-12

The album starts promising with three tracks that seem to signal a return of former virtues. That makes 11 enjoyable minutes out of an overlong 61 minute album. Devin Lahey's track by track review may serve as a guide to find the other not totally bad tracks on the album but none of them is worth it.