ADRIAN THRILLS: American rockers ZZ Top return to their southern boogie roots on their new album Raw
ZZ TOP: Raw (Shelter)
Conclusion: back-to-basics boogie
Valuation: 
American rockers ZZ Top return to their southern boogie and blues roots with their new album Raw, a record that doubles as the soundtrack to the 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas.
The final recording by the original trio is also a poignant tribute to longtime bassist and co-vocalist Dusty Hill, who died last year after being part of an unchanged line-up for 51 years.
New music: ZZ Top return to their southern boogie and blues roots on their new album Raw, a soundtrack to the 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas
Written in a single day in an old Texas dance hall, the album features new versions of the group’s biggest songs.
ZZ Top are famous for their chest-length beards, but their cartoonish image belies serious musical intentions: a new version of Just Got Paid, originally from 1972, isn’t far removed from today’s Americana by The Black Keys.
“Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Legs” gave the load back to Billy F. Gibbons’ fat slide guitar instead of the new wave synths that made those songs hits in the ’80s.
Elsewhere there are celebrations of American wine (Thunderbird), the open road (I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide), and the Mexican “Border Blaster” radio that inspired the band in their formative years (Heard It On The X ).
All in all, it’s a loving farewell to Dusty.
Album: The final recording by the original trio also serves as a poignant tribute to longtime bassist and co-vocalist Dusty Hill, who died last year