‘Mescalero’ shows ZZ Top still has the grit and chops

Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, former British music-press writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum.

“Mescalero” (RCA) – ZZ Top

“The little ol’ band from Texas” is back with its first release in four years, with a sound that’s familiar and a little bit new at the same time.

Guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard have been together for 34 years, and it shows in the tightness of their playing. They have said that “Mescalero” was inspired by listening to techno while touring in Europe, but the release sure sounds like the fuzzy, greasy rock for which the trio always has been known and loved.

Even if many of today’s kids may not recognize the name, ZZ Top lyrically remains the voice of boys of all ages, with such titles such as “Buck Nekkid,” “Piece” and “Punk Ass Boyfriend.” No P.C. philosophizing here, just ruminations about life’s everyday trials and tribulations served up in generous slabs of Lone Star blues and boogie.

As last year’s tribute album “Sharped Dressed Men” proved, ZZ Top has inspired new generations of performers, many of whom only wish they had the grit and chops of the originals.

But “Mescalero” shows a group that’s not content to be an influence, or a museum piece, or nostalgia troupers. After more than three decades, ZZ Top remains a vital force in rock ‘n’ roll. – Dale McGarrigle

“Love & Life” (Geffen) – Mary J. Blige

Her sixth studio album reveals a new side of “The Queen of Hip Hop Soul.”

She’s happy now.

Substance abuse and bad relationships are behind her. Blige is in love, engaged and (can it be?) content with her life.

Better yet, “Love & Life” is among her best albums, despite there being no more drama in her life. She flourishes even without the teary-voiced, confessional songs that were her trademark. She’s positively radiant being positive.

Blige is self-assured now, and it shows. Also, she co-produced this album with Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, who produced her 1991 debut. “What’s the 411?” (her best-selling album to date) and 1994’s “My Life” before they separated professionally. Despite their problems in the past, they have a musical chemistry, which comes through loud and clear on “Love & Life.”

Whatever kinds of her songs listeners like, be it club-ready dance tunes, tender love ballads or gospel-flavored soul, they’ll find what they want in abundance on her new release.

Blige is a major talent, and she deserves higher recognition than she’s received in the past. “Love & Life” may be just the ticket to make her even happier. – Dale McGarrigle

“Leona Naess,” (Geffen) – Leona Naess

British songbird Leona Naess has a voice like lace curtains on the breeze, billowing and delicate, pretty and soft. Her debut album, “Comatised,” was a charmer, but her sophomore effort, “I Tried to Rock You but You Only Roll,” was about as inventive as its title.

In her third, self-titled, CD, Naess gets it right. Her music has a sweet, open quality that makes up for the at-times contrived lyrics: “Hold out your arms the streets are on fire. Don’t waste no time, yes, it’s called desire.”

And when she hits it, she hits it. “Ballerina,” which currently can be heard on the “Gilmore Girls” trailers, is enough to make you cry: “I’ll never feel the weight of your hands inside mine like diamonds.” We’ve all felt the raw sting of lost love. But few of us have expressed it as eloquently as Naess.

If you’re into Korn, this may not be the CD for you. But if you like Tori Amos or Carole King, give Leona Naess a spin. You won’t regret it. – Kristen Andresen

“Wreckage” (Sony) – Overseer

It’s that convergence thing everybody’s been talking about for the past several years. Just as your television, computer, video, stereo and DVD all can be merged into one box, so here can you get your dance tunes, video game music, movie soundtracks and advertising backdrops all on the same CD.

What a bonus.

Yes, this CD already was sold, long before you were able to buy it. It was sold to Heineken and Mitsubishi, Sony and Michelob. The upside to this is that there is no need to get to know this album; chunks of it you possibly have already absorbed through an electronic osmosis while playing video games.

Still, this carping shouldn’t detract from the fact that this is an entertaining product. Rob Overseer has an ear for a good tune, and this album is littered with rock ‘n’ roll energy, evil riffs and eminently danceable beats.

Nothing here is too original. Overseer mostly ploughs a brazen furrow between the Chemical Brothers and Kid Rock. But he also shows an affinity for stoned torch songs and ambient excursions, and much of what he does is pretty effective.

Anyway, “Wreckage” isn’t really an album to sit down and listen to, just the soundtrack to your next party. – Adam Corrigan