ZZ Top: Greatest Hits (1994)

For two decades ZZ Top has been salting a ferocious boogie beat with mildly salacious lyrics, laying down a strong, steady river of musical mud and rock that sparkles with synthesizer and bright flashes of guitar. The sound is as tasty as tacos, and as consistent as Taco Bell, so it's no small feat that this artfully compiled 18-cut collection doesn't overstay its welcome. With only a pair of uncharacteristic ballads (''Rough Boy'' and ''Pearl Necklace'') to shift the gears, Greatest Hits is a nonstop groove of smash singles (''Gimme All Your Lovin','' ''Tush,'' ''Legs''), infectious also-rans (''Cheap Sunglasses,'' ''Doubleback''), one new song (''Gun Love''), and a distinctive ZZ Top take on Elvis Presley's ''Viva Las Vegas.'' B+

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