Some of my very favorite albums are produced by Rick Rubin – Master Of Reality’s debut, Danzig’s debut, The Cult’s Electric, the great live Red Devils album King King to name a few.

In fact, there was a time years ago when I would take a chance on albums specifically because Rick Rubin produced. Can’t say that about any other producer.

Which brings us to ZZ Top’s La Futura. As one of the Amazon reviews says, “How many times have we heard ZZ Top has gone back to their 70’s sound only to be disappointed?” Desperate for something new to me, I checked this out, sampling a couple tunes. It sounded pretty damn good. I ordered it.

“Blown away” is all I can say after playing it three times yesterday. This is back to the old 70’s sound as far as I’m concerned. No crappy processed, compressed guitars, no electronic drums, no fucking stupid synthesizers. This is dirty boogie blues in the spirit of those early gem albums, stripped down and in-your-face in usual Rick Rubin style. This album kicks ass.

And funny, as much as I hate slow songs, I’m gonna give you the only slow one on the album, which I actually like. Call me crazy, but this song reeks of Phil Lynott/Thin Lizzy and perhaps that’s why I love it so much. Everything else on the album is straight-ahead and upbeat. I highly, highly recommend it.

I was thinking this was my favorite album of 2015, but it came out in 2012. Oh well. My loss for not finding it until now.

Leave it to Rick Rubin.