Description
Billy F Gibbons – Hardware – Candy Apple Red Vinyl Record
Hardware is the third solo studio album by Billy F Gibbons, the legendary guitarist and lead vocalist of ZZ Top. Released in 2021, the album features Gibbons’ distinctive blend of rock, blues, and boogie, showcasing his signature guitar work and gritty vocals.
Hardware blends elements of rock, blues, and country, with a focus on gritty guitar riffs, groovy rhythms, and Gibbons’ characteristic vocal style. The album has a desert rock vibe, inspired by the rugged landscape of California where it was recorded. The themes explored include road life, freedom, love, and reflection, infused with Gibbons’ usual swagger and sense of humor.
Notable Tracks
“West Coast Junkie” – A high-energy track with a catchy riff and a surf rock vibe, celebrating the laid-back lifestyle of the West Coast.
“Stackin’ Bones” (featuring Larkin Poe) – A collaboration with the roots rock duo Larkin Poe, combining their harmonies with Gibbons’ bluesy guitar work.
“Desert High” – The closing track, featuring spoken word and a haunting guitar melody, reflecting on the mystique and allure of the desert.
“My Lucky Card” – A quintessential rock song with powerful riffs and Gibbons’ signature growling vocals.
“She’s On Fire” – A blues-rock anthem with fiery guitar solos and a driving beat.
Hardware received positive reviews from critics, who praised Gibbons’ ability to deliver solid rock and blues tracks that feel both fresh and timeless. Reviewers highlighted the album’s production quality, the strength of the songwriting, and Gibbons’ virtuosity on the guitar. The collaboration with Larkin Poe on “Stackin’ Bones” was particularly noted for its synergy and impact.
Billy F Gibbons has long been an influential figure in rock and blues music, and “Hardware” reinforces his status as a guitar legend. The album’s release added to his extensive catalog of work, showcasing his continued relevance and ability to captivate audiences. Hardware resonates with fans of classic rock and blues, attracting both long-time followers and new listeners.
Hardware is a testament to Billy F Gibbons’ enduring talent and his knack for creating engaging rock and blues music. The album offers a mix of high-energy tracks and reflective moments, all anchored by Gibbons’ distinctive guitar style and vocal presence. It is a worthy addition to his solo discography and a must-listen for fans of rock and blues.
Hardware was produced by Gibbons with Matt Sorum and Mike Fiorentino with additional production by engineer Chad Shlosser. Guns ‘N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and The Cult drummer Sorum also plays on the album as part of a core band featuring guitarist Austin Hanks. It’s the same musical backbone that starred on Gibbons’ second solo release for Concord, The Big Bad Blues, which came out in 2018 and won the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award.
As a title, Hardware is an affectionate nod to the late and great recording engineer Joe Hardy, whose working relationship with Gibbons and ZZ Top goes back to the mid-1980s. The album also bears the influence of its recording location. “The desert settings, replete with shifting sands, cacti and rattlesnakes makes for the kind of backdrop that lends an element of intrigue reflected in the sounds created out there,” says Gibbons.
Indie Retail Exclusive Candy Apple Red vinyl
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
My Lucky Card
She’s On Fire
More-More-More
Shuffle, Step & Slide
Vagabond Man
Spanish Fly
West Coast Junkie
Stackin’ Bones
I Was A Highway
S-G-L-M-B-B-R
Hey Baby, Que Paso
Desert High
