Rhythmeen is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1996. It is their last album with longtime producer Bill Ham.
Production and recording Billy recalls "Rick Rubin has turned me on to one of his acts called Barkmarket and that the guitar player uses C# and B tunings so we began experimenting with really low tunings." Around the Rhythmeen era Billy's collection of African artifacts began and several tracks include African tribal percussion.
This is when Billy began to sport the Nudu Hat, woven by the Bamileke tribe in Cameroon, Africa.
Gibbons uses a 1955 Les Paul Goldtop guitar which is featured prominently throughout the album.Billy Gibbons Rock&Roll Gearhead book
"We originally had a working title of 'Nearing the Completion Stage'. But, it was the backbeat, that mean groove, which hit us as a strong recurring element of the album. So, we did our customary play on words, shuffling words about until we came up with our own invention—a feel-good elixir named Rhythmeen."Vogel, Michael (27 September 1996) "ZZ Top - Rhythmeen". The Album Network
Reception
AllMusic gave it a mixed review, stating, "ZZ Top's long-awaited return to blues finally arrived in 1996, well over a decade after they abandoned their simple three-chord boogie for a synth and drum machine-driven three-chord boogie."
The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart.
Track listing
Bonus track [Japan]
Personnel Billy Gibbons – guitar, lead vocals Dusty Hill – bass, keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals (10) Frank Beard – drums, percussion James Harman – harmonica (4) Greg Morrow – percussion, drums (creditedRhythmeen CD credits as 'Gangzz Clangzz & Percussion Thangzz') on "She's Just Killing Me" and other tracks
Production Producers – Billy Gibbons, Bill Ham Engineer – Joe Hardy Assistant engineers – Lizzie Harrah, Gary Moon Mixing – Joe Hardy Mastering – Bob Ludwig Director – Douglas Biro Art direction – Sean Mosher-Smith Design – Billy Gibbons, Sean Mosher-Smith Photography – James Bland Studio – John Moran's House of Funk aka Digital Services Recording
Charts Album – Billboard (United States) YearChartPosition1996The Billboard 20029
Singles – Billboard (United States) YearSingleChartPosition1996"Bang Bang"Mainstream Rock Tracks221996"She's Just Killing Me"Mainstream Rock Tracks121996"What's Up with That"Mainstream Rock Tracks51997"Rhythmeen"Mainstream Rock Tracks35
References