Winter Solstice

The cold has set in, the days are short and the nights are long, and ZZ Top has gone away to hibernate once again. What will be the fruits of this Winter's passing? Will work be done, will songs be written, will tracks be laid down.

Patterns of late would indicate no. Despite a new recording contract, an assertive producer, and invitations and meetings with other bands nothing substantial has come through. The band simply returns in the Spring with a new and endless stretch of tour dates, U.S. and Europe, back and forth.

If one is an optimist they would view the "delay" in the South American dates as a positive sign, an indication the band wishes to hunker down and work on the new album. Since 2005 the Top has been quoted as saying they want to get a new record out, but they can't seem to gather the discipline, patience and willingness to commit. The band loves to tour, no fault in that. Fans love to see them on stage, no fault in that. But a healthy band has got to keep it fresh, else boredom can creep in, both for the players and the listeners. Sure, a large part of the crowd wants to hear "Gimme All Your Lovin" over any new track, but the long term fans, the ones that have been there for 20, 30, 40 years, they would love to have something new. Something to maintain and substantiate their belief that ZZ is one of the best bands in the world. That they are immortal, untouched and unabashed by the punishments of time, the labors of life and work.

A band that can still write new music together is an indication of musicians that still love what it's all about, the music. So what if there are less people interested in what you have to say, the message is as important as ever.

Here's hoping the band feeds off the energy and good vibes that began with the "Necessity Is a Mother" tour and continued until the last show in Calgary, 12/01. Convey that excitement and motivation into the studio, make it bass, drums and fuzzy guitar, and emerge once again reaffirming your proper place as the most creative, intuitive and timeless rock band ever.