Ever since Gregory Rubarsky aka Chip Z’Nuff took over Enuff Z’Nuff when lead singer/rhythm guitarist Donnie Vie left the band for good in 2013, the band has been one creative unit, now with Chip handling lead vocal duties as well as bass ditto. Since 2018 – when the band started making albums again – Enuff Z’Nuff has spawned four albums with one solo album from Chip in 2022. To be quite honest, Enuff Z’Nuff of today really feels like Chip with a backing band as the rest of the members holds a quite anonymous existence and the fact that Chip’s solo album really could’ve been an Enuff Z’Nuff album and vice versa. The quality of the albums has been mostly good even though the covers album Hardrock Nite (2021) felt somewhat unnecessary.
Opener “Soundcheck” is an instrumental intro of sorts yet more a song than a in actual intro. It’s short, upbeat and quite driven with a Classic Rock meets The Beatles vibe. It’s a rocker for sure, a bit glam-sleazy with a chunky riff and a decent melody. It’s ok but it’s not like fireworks go off. Then the leading single “Catastrophe” is much better. It’s a mid-tempo number, somewhat laid-back with a big dose of classic Enuff Z’Nuff involved which means we get a nice Cheap Trick influenced melody for good measure. The song’s soundscape is a bit hazy with a spacey atmosphere. The chorus is brilliant and if I close my eyes I can see Donnie Vie singing this. A great tune indeed.
The upbeat Classic Rock groover “Steal The Light” goes for a 70’s vibe with Chip’s love for 60’s music clearly at front in the melody arrangements. It’s quite edgy yet with a major power-pop spice inserted. The melodies are catchy enough throughout the song and the chorus is direct and distinct but somehow the song just don’t stick hard enough and I’m missing a sharp hook here. It’s ok though. “Lost And Out Of Control” is a faster and punchy hard-rocker, quite heavy with a ballsy riff. It’s energetic and powerful with a recognizable, classic Enuff Z’Nuff melody-line. This one might work as a live-opener but the song just won’t linger and again I miss the big hook that’s usually a trademark when it comes to this band.
“Intoxicated” however throws out hooks to left and right and is another song that could’ve been on an early Enuff Z’Nuff record. It’s a mid-tempo tune with big 70’s Classic Rock meets power-pop structures and 60’s harmonies with a slightly trippy touch and dream-like melodies. The chorus is catchy as damn with some hit-potential to go with it. Very good. “Hurricane” is a slow, dark and quite heavy semi-ballad with a late 60’s Beatles influence. It’s also quite pompous and orchestrated with a Hammond to go and a mellotron synth and with the ballsy rhythm and the Beatles psychedelia the song comes off as even a bit proggy at times. This is really good stuff.
On a heavier note, “Trampoline” takes a step into the 70’s with a big Classic Rock structure, very punchy, robust and in-your-face and a slight Southern Rock touch. The melodies, however, harkens back to the band’s debut and the Cheap Trick influence here is massive. The song brings on a big live-feel with its distinct rhythms and rowdy riffing, 70’s Glam Rock style. The chorus too is splendid – probably the album’s finest moment. They remain in the 70’s with the chunky “Temporarily Disconnected”. Big power-pop elements are blended with crunchy and rough-edged guitars and a lively rhythm. Apparently a recycled old Enuff Z’Nuff demo, the song sounds organic and groundy and holds all the elements that Enuff Z’Nuff was and still is. However, there’s a good reason why the song was never recorded before. It’s not bad but it’s not a sure-fire hit either.
A cover of Sex pistols’ “God Save The Queen” follows and my first impression was: Why? I mean, it’s an ok cover but it really feels out of place here. It’s distinct and direct, just like the original and even though there’s a bigger melody arrangement – especially the guitar lines – and Chip’s draggling vocals – it’s really played right by book. To me, it’s not Enuff Z’nuffed enough. Not bad but unnecessary. The closing “Reprise” is pretty much reprise of “Soundcheck” and again the word unnecessary comes to mind.
So what we’re given here is seven new “real” songs, one cover, one intro and one outtro. A bit cheap, in my book. That apart, most of the songs holds a strong quality but there’s a couple of tunes that I’d put in the filler map. It’s a decent album for sure but Enuff Z’Nuff has made stronger efforts than this – and it’s not just the classic records I refer to here. Both Brainwashed Generation (2020) and Diamond Boy (2018) are way better albums. It’s an enjoyable record but too uneven for comfort that at times feels a bit rushed.
5/10
More Enuff Z’Nuff reviews:
Dissonance
Clowns Lounge
Diamond Boy
Brainwashed Generation
Hardrock Nite
Tracklist:
1. Sound Check
2. Catastrophe
3. Steal The Light
4. Lost And Out Of Control
5. Intoxicated
6. Hurricane
7. Trampoline
8. Temporarily Disconnected
9. God Save The Queen
10. Reprise
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