Label:
Spitfire Records
Release
Date: October 3, 2000
Track
Listing:
There Goes My Heart
Fly Away
The Beast
Your Heart's No Good...But
I Love Your Face
Wake Up
What Can I Do?
Suicide
All Right
Holiday
Bang On
The Jean Genie
Everything Works If
You Let It
There Goes My Heart
(CD ROM Video)
Chances are you've
never heard of Enuff Znuff. That is such a shame, because these Chicago
veterans have been producing great albums year after year since the early
'90s. Their new album gets it's title by it's place in their discography,
and it is quite possibly Enuff Znuff’s finest yet.
At the core of Enuff
Znuff are co-founders Chip Znuff and Donnie Vie. They share a spark together,
that certain magic to write one great song after another. '10' shows how
Chip and Donnie have matured as songwriters, making songs that are more
complicated yet still easily accessible. Every album they've put out has
been great, but this time around the album sounds more focused and the
lyrics don't just grab you, they usually hit you over the head.
The opening track
"There Goes My Heart" proves that Enuff Znuff is at the top of their game...this
song, like every other, showcases super catchy, smart songwriting. Imagine
the Wonders' song from that Tom Hanks movie (“That Thing You Do”) multiplied
by twelve and you have a basic idea of what "There Goes My Heart" is all
about. It sounds very 60s-ish, very much like the Beatles, and is just
catchy as all hell. Another track with direct Beatles’ influences is "All
Right." “All Right” is a great feel-good track with clever lyrics, a catchy
chorus, and some very entertaining harmonica, courtesy of Donnie. In fact,
quite a few of the songs on this disc sound like an homage to 60's/70's
British rock, and their cover of David Bowie's "The Jean Genie" shows that
they're not hiding it, either.
Although the band
is more poppy this time around, there are some great heavy tracks on the
album as well. The second song on the disc, "Fly Away" (not to be confused
with the Lenny Kravitz hit) is a track about breaking away from that guy/girl
who’s just no good for you. "You're not in love, you're in denial,” vocalist
Donnie Vie reveals, “I get confused sometimes myself.” The band has a talent
for making songs that are just impossible not to relate to. “Fly Away”
is a great hard rock song, with it’s layered guitars and non-linear vocals,
but it's also very touching and original. "Bang On" is a sleaze-rock song
that almost seems to poke fun of the 80s glam genre they are unjustly pigeon-holed
into. But it also shows that the band is great no matter what kind of song
they play, and is definitely head and shoulders above most of anything
that came out of that era. Another great rock song is the album's closer,
the previously released "Everything Works If You Let It," originally from
their criminally under-appreciated 1999 effort "Paraphernalia." It has
been remixed this time to showcase Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan's
guest guitar contribution. It’s a Cheap Trick cover, and it’s no secret
that Cheap Trick is a band that Enuff Znuff adores. They not only do this
rare track justice, they make it heavier and perhaps even top it.
"The Beast"
is another lyrical standout. You can tell that this song is autobiographical
in tone. It features an acoustic backbone, complimented by electric guitars.
Although no sympathy is intended, you can’t help but feel for Donnie while
listening to his life struggle though his emotional vocals.
"Your Heart's
No Good...But I Love Your Face" is one of those cynical songs that make
you laugh with and sing along at the same time. It's highly melodic and
builds to a heavy, rockin' ending. “What Can I Do? (To Make You Cry)” is
another one of their dry-wit rock songs that basically asks the question,
“If I can’t have you anymore, how can I get back at you?” “What Can I Do”
showcases some very cool Jerry Lee Lewis style keyboarding from singer
Donnie Vie.
The band jokes
about "Wake Up" as being their "Stairway To Heaven," and true, it is musically
complicated. However, I'm more reminded by Aerosmith's "Dream On." Regardless,
this is another gem by the guys, a song about trying to make a girl "wake
up" to the great guy under her nose. With vocal harmonies coming from everywhere
and it's heartbreaking lyrics, this is another song that will affect anyone
who pays attention to it.
A great extra
feature on this disc is the Quicktime video of their first single, “There
Goes My Heart.” It’s very high quality in frame rate and size, and also
in budget. The band must have put a lot of money into making this video,
but instead of making their fans pay $10 to own it on VHS (which they easily
could have done to their die-hard audience with no complaints), they give
it to away on this CD! It shows that they really do mean it when they say
they “hail” their fans.
Although the
albums’ title wasn’t intended to be egotistical, ‘10’ really is a ‘10’
in every sense of the word. Not only is each track strong, each track really
deserves radio airplay and commercial success. It's hard to choose a favorite
song on this diverse album because each one is fantastic. Chip and Donnie’s
commitment to songwriting is evident, the album was made on a small budget
yet it still sounds fabulous. If you are an Enuff Znuff fan, pick it up.
If you are at all curious about the band, pick it up. If you just want
to hear some great rock, pick it up! You won’t regret it. This site didn’t
call Enuff Znuff “Band Of The Year” for nothing!!!
Posted by Alan:
I've been a fan of EZ'N since I first heard "New Thing". Each release since then, they get even better. It's too bad people still see them as a "hair band". Their music is much more mature than that of a "hair band". EN'Z harmonies as well as their songs have great hooks to them that pull you in-reminisent of the Beatles. Rock on! for we hail you!
spoo
I've been a Z'nuff fan since the 80's
and the cds just get better 10 rocks. Favorite song off the disk is "Fly
Away". Everyone who likes Enuff Znuff must have this cd.
Marc Summers
They do everything well and this is possibly
their best yet. Criminally underrated! These guys are better by far than
all of the groups currently selling in the millions...once again, proof
that life ain't fair!
Susumu
Hard to find the word to readily appreciate.
Greatest album I have heard so far this year.
Fred Durst
10 albums and 10 years and they still
have figured out hair metal died
Penny
There's a reason why people have a hard
saying what "type" of music this band plays. Its because they do it ALL.
If you're tired of listening to the same song over and over, if you want
some diversity, range, fun (and EXTREME talent) in your music collection...pick
this one up!! It just doesn't get any better than these guys!! Record companies
and radio stations should "Wake Up" and stop depriving music fans of the
world.
Phern
I lvoe this band! I love this album! I
wish there were more bands dedicated to putting out good music rather than
just jumping on whatever train comes by. Keep the music coming.
Nikki
I love this band but can't figure out
why limp bizkit can sell millions of cd's for ryhmin nookie and cookie
and this band who has real talent and great music doesn't sell millions?
so if you are from a big record company get with the program this band
could be a smash hit if given the chance.
jeremy
fukk yeah!
Ross
this isn't my kind of music but I do respect
them for their talent and songwriting ability. most bands wouldn't have
stuck with it this long and you have to give it to them for that. I remember
seeing them in lake geneva back in 88 or 89 and the crowd went nuts for
them