Then the music world got turned upside down by Nirvana and this band like many quickly faded into the black hole of memory. It was a year ago I had the opportunity to rediscover them. I noticed an unnamed individual here wearing an Enuff Z'nuff t-shirt. So I made a friendly jab about how glam was dead. That was when all hell broke loose.  The basic thrust of the tirade that followed was I didn't know shit and if I thought Enuff Z'nuff was a glam band I was a clueless moron.  I had been accused of both counts before, so I shrugged it off and figured this guy was having a bad day.  As I was ready to leave that night he handed me a stack of Cd's and said "Take these home, listen to them and learn a thing or two."

Damn, I hated homework in school and I already put in enough over time here. But when I got in my car curiosity got the best of me and I popped in one of the CD's. I'm glad I did. I've since read hundreds of fan testimonials calling this group the most under-rated band of today, the Beatles of the 90's etc. I honestly have to agree with that assessment. I got home that night and spent the night listening to the Enuff Z'nuff catalog. 

The main thing that struck me about this band was their diversity. They can play convincing 80's rock but on the other hand they have great pop, hard rock, and even country tunes. While with a lesser band this would seem contrived, Enuff Z'nuff pulls it off without a hitch. Needless to say after that night I have become a convert. And the old desert island scenario that Howard Stern quipped about in regards to this band does hold true. If I was stuck on a desert island, sure as hell a good collection of the discs I would have in my collection would come from these guys. 

Which brings me to point of this special report. Like me, you are all being given a second chance to discover this band. A good portion of their CD catalog is getting a second hearing courtesy of a reissue on Spitfire Records.  My task here today will be to layout a quick critique of each disc for you.  I will add that sadly my favorite album, 1991's Strength, isn't being reissued at this time, but we might get lucky at some future date.

I will review these disc in the order of my preference. 

Tweaked

I will go for broke here and call this album a modern day master piece. It really is one of the finest rock albums ever made. Although some people would be turned off by the subject matter, many will find that Enuff Z'nuff really did an exceptional job of conveying the despair and desperation of Drug Use with this quasi concept album. The opening song, "Stoned" sets the tone for the album with it's eastern sounding guitars complete with a 8 string bass line, and Donnie Vie's eerie wail. Sure they stole a page from the George Harrison book of guitar playing, but they did it masterfully.  The lyrics discuss the disparity of living with a addiction and a plea to a lover not leave, or "I'll get stoned…".

"Bullet From a Gun" sounds a lot like Stone Temple Pilots, but lets remember who came first.  A great guitar riff and dueling vocals between Donnie Vie and Chip Z'nuff make this song a keeper. My favorite tune on the album is third, "Mr. Jones". It's hard to explain why I love this song so much. Perhaps it’s the dark ambience or the pure emotion captured with Donnie Vie's vocals. With one song, Donnie conveys what it is really like to be under the spell of "Mr. Jones". 

Other Standouts include "We're all alright" a song later covered by the Nelson Twins. "It's too late" and "My Dear Dream" which is pure Queen. Donnie really shines on this song, and if anyone has any doubts about this bands credentials should give this song a listen. Overall, this is a very dark record with a few blues numbers thrown in. But it's closest comparison would be to call it a hard rock Beatles "Revolver".  For harder rock fans this is the album to pick up, you won't be disappointed.   10 out of 10
 

Seven

Remember I mentioned how diverse this band was? When contrasted with Tweaked, Seven is a world apart. This album shows the lighter side of Enuff Z'nuff. Sure there are still some rockers here, but overall you won't find the dark overtones that were conveyed on Tweaked. The Irony is that both albums were recorded at the same time.  "Wheels" starts off the disc with a powerful rocker with an addictive chorus. Then it switches gears to a smooth mid-tempo rock sound for "Still have tonight" and "Downhill". Break out the acoustic guitars for "It's no good" a sound reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel. This album is full of great middle of the road rockers like "You and I", "On my Way back Home", "We don't have to be friends" and then on the other hand you get some kick ass hard rock with "So Sad", gotta love the guitar riffs on that one. Overall, this album is the bands most commercially appealing. Not to say it's a sell out. But it has the widest appeal to a large number of music fans.  10 out of 10
 

Peachfuzz

This album like the next one is really a collection of older songs and b-sides that never made it onto previous albums. With a catalog of hundreds of top notch songs, Enuff Z'nuff could easily release several Peachfuzz's without sacrificing quality.  This disc is harder edged Enuff Z'nuff with a pop flavor. Both the vocals and riffs are memorable and once more showcase this band's appeal.  They have a knack for mixing pop with hard rock and Peachfuzz is a great example.  If you are a fan of AOR or Pop check this disc out. Then again like any Enuff Z'nuff album all of them are great!  9 out of 10
 

1985

The album is just that, songs the band recorded back when they first started out in 1985. Even then the songwriting really shined. Although this album does have an 80's feel to it. It is well worth listening to. It exemplifies the happier side on life and has some great music to boot. Most notable is a killer hard rock cover of "Tears of a Clown". Enuff Z'nuff did the Smokey Robinson classic proud.  The hidden track on here is also exceptional, nicknamed "Valentine song" by the fans, this is a love ballad in the first class.  "Catholic Girls" is a fun romp and "Day by Day" is good foreshadowing of the great pop attributes that this band would display in years to come.  11 songs total and I love 10 of them. Not bad!  8 out of 10
 

Live

This is the only album that left me disappointed. I have seen this band live and this album comes no where close to capturing the excitement of an Enuff Z'nuff show.  Also, it is mostly older live recordings from the bands first three albums. Granted they were on a major label back in those days and had more money to records live shows. But this album falls short of showcasing this great live band's performances. Not that it is a bad album. It's just doesn't live up the rest of the bands catalog.  The live version of "Fly High Michelle", "New Thing "and "Takin a Ride" are close, but I guess there is just nothing like being there in person. I was disappointed mostly because of the lack of newer songs. Perhaps we will get another live album at a later date covering the bands entire career.  6 1/2 out of 10

There you have it! I hope you all take the opportunity to discover this band, they really are all that and then some. 

You can get some real audio samples from all of the bands albums at their official web site, EnuffZ'nuff.com.

Until next time…  keep rockin and giving them hell… antiGUY

Ok we all know who's opinion matters the most. That is why we are giving you the fans the opportunity to rate these albums. 

Fan Speak:

Posted by Rich:
By far the most under-rated, awesome, purveyors of great music that I have ever had the chance listen to. 'nuff said!!!

Charlie Alex March Set February Release

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