"Recycler" is the tenth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in October 1990. This album marked the last use of the band's synthesizer-driven production style, which began with Eliminator, and it signified a return to their blues roots.
The band made a cameo in the 1990 film Back to the Future Part III, performing an "old west" version of "Doubleback" alongside local musicians, with the regular version playing over the credits. The music video for "Doubleback" incorporated clips from the movie. The album produced five hit singles: "Doubleback," which topped the Album Rock Tracks for five weeks, "Concrete and Steel," which held the No. 1 spot for four weeks, and "Burger Man," "Give It Up," and "My Head's in Mississippi," which led the Album Rock Tracks for six weeks. Music videos were also created for "My Head's in Mississippi," "Burger Man," and "Give It Up." In the UK, the album achieved Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry, indicating sales of 60,000 units.
In a 2008 interview, Billy Gibbons reflected on the making of Recycler, explaining that the band initially intended to continue the direction established in Eliminator and Afterburner. After spending time in Los Angeles focusing on structured pop tunes and sequencer-driven sounds, they shifted gears in Memphis while waiting for their high-tech equipment to arrive. They set up in a circle and began jamming, leading to a sound that felt more authentic and raw. Tracks like "2000 Blues" and "My Head's in Mississippi" exemplified this blend of their earlier blues style with modern elements.
Gibbons noted that while the album retained some of the synthesizer sounds, they were less prominent, allowing the band's rougher edges to shine through. "My Head's in Mississippi" began as a straightforward boogie-woogie before incorporating electronic drum fills, modernizing the track. The overall production took four months, partly due to the distractions of the vibrant Beale Street area where they recorded. Ultimately, Recycler marked a significant step back to their roots, representing the last ZZ Top album to feature synthesized production before they transitioned to a more roots-oriented style in subsequent albums.
