Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

ENUFF Z’NUFF "Animals With Human Intelligence" (1993)

I won't deny the fact that the self-titled debut and “Strength” are this band’s two cult classics, but I frankly believe that this third release is the best one. What a great variety of compositions, ranging from the huge chorus party vibe of "These Daze" and "One Step Closer To You", to a fun guitar ride on "Superstitious" and "Love Train", to the great commercial hits of "Right By Your Side" and "Innocence".

For those who never heard of them before, Enuff Z'Nuff is a breed of Beatles and Cheap Trick, injected with the wild and wacky 80s glam scene. The original Arista version has a different cover and sound, but it's good to have this remastered version for the beautiful bonus track, "Fingertips". A memorable release of musical perfection, and a wonderful legacy to the late and talented Mr. Frigo, may he rest in sleaze and peace.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

ENUFF Z’NUFF “Enuff Z’Nuff” (1989)

Enuff Z'Nuff came to the scene dressed up like drag queens in typical late 80s glam outfits…but make no mistake, behind those masked appearances and goofy name, the band possessed a unique style and highly talented musicianship that cleverly crossed 60s rock with 80s melodic hard rock. The result is what you'll hear in their magnificent self-titled debut. Donnie Vie's voice is unusually gritty, in contrast to most late 80s singers who loved to fly high to reach those notes.

The two most famous Z'nuff songs, "New Thing" and "Fly High Michelle", are featured on this album, but if you think knowing and listening only to those two songs are enuff, then you're wrong. Take "Hot Little Summer Girl" and "Little Indian Angel", for instance. Try cranking the volume up and waiting for their catchy choruses to come rolling in…I won't believe if you don't like these songs. "For Now" is a smooth melodic rock track with radio hit potential, and one of their best songs ever made. "Kiss The Clown" has the naughty snakedance riffs, transforming the classic 60s rock to a harder edge. "I Could Never Be Without You" is a touching ballad, and Vie's lazy vocal and irregular melodies made this track strange and beautiful at the same time.

I found the next release, "Strength", to be slightly more entertaining and better overall, and their third record was their peak. These first three records are the pinnacle of their career. Even though EZN never became the ultimate commercial success, they have lots of loyal fans that kept them going for 25 years. If you like a great blend of 60s rock and 80s glam, then this record is definitely for you.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Donnie Vie "Extra Strength"

In 1991, a virtual masterpiece of pop rock perfection was born, delivered by the "Rodney Dangerfields" of the genre (they got no respect), Enuff Z'Nuff. "Strength" was pure pop perfection, underscoring how closely Donnie Vie and Chip Z'Nuff truly mirrored their songwriting heroes, Lennon and McCartney. One is hard pressed to find a track on "Strength" that doesn't have you humming along in no time. The album actually received excellent press and reviews for the most part, but did not light the charts on fire. A great history of Enuff Z'Nuff has recently been written up and you can read more about it here.

But let's get back to the present day. Donnie Vie has been releasing solo work since 2002, with his debut being a fantastic extension of the pop genius that excites Enuff Z'Nuff's fan base. His latest effort is a most unusual and intriguing experiment: he has re-recorded stripped down versions of one of the best Enuff Z'Nuff records in their extensive discography. These "re-interpretations" have been captured on this 2007 CD simply entitled, "Extra Strength."

For the most part, I found it difficult to get into most of these songs because the original tunes are so deeply etched into my memory. I just can't get the bias out of my head! Some of the new renditions work better than others, simply because some of the songs lend themselves to an unplugged version than others. "Heaven or Hell" works great the way he's revised it, and so does the beautiful piano-driven ballad "Goodbye." But "Mother's Eyes," one of my favorite Enuff Z'Nuff songs, doesn't work at all. And I would have anticipated that one to be especially great in this format. Additionally, "Baby Loves You" would have made for a great bluesy shuffle, but it is "re-interpreted" with just electric guitar and a vocal...it sticks out like a bad sore thumb. And some songs sound too similar to the original (for example, "Time To Let You Go").

Some non-Strength tracks are also on the record. A nice cover of "In My Life" is here, but mimics the original too closely and doesn't sound very well produced (is it me or does the volume drop dramatically when this track comes on?). Also, a great harmonica-laced rendition of "It's No Good" is here...a song from their 1997 effort "Seven".

So my conclusions from this unique experiment are mixed. About half the songs simply don't work for me and I would choose the original over it any day. But the others that do work REALLY work and are a wonderful and refreshing complement to the original tracks.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12

Enuff Z'Nuff official site.