Published on Oct 2, 1999
Did you ever get the feeling that Howard Stern knows more than
most people want to admit?
Sure, he’s outspoken, but from my experiences of listening to
him, he usually never states an opinion unless he feels strongly
about it. The same could be said for his tastes in music. While I’m
not on any type of speaking terms with him (not that I’d mind –
someone please steer Howard towards this site!), I don’t think
there are many bands he’s championed more than Enuff Z’Nuff. Never
mind the fact that so many people out there pooh-pooh this group as
being both a throwback to the ’60s and the epitomy of what was
wrong with metal in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
How many of them have actually taken the time to go back and
listen to their debut album from 1989? Fact of the matter is, this
album is pretty damned good, even 10 years after its original
release.
I never did pick up that much of a Lennon/McCartney hero worship
vibe off this tape, but there’s no doubt that the band –
vocalist/guitarist Donnie Vie, bassist/vocalist Chip Z’Nuff (I
haven’t forgotten about setting up that interview with you, Chip –
call me), lead guitarist Derek Frigo and drummer Vikki Foxx –
aren’t afraid to embrace a little touch of psychedelia in their
music. The opening track “New Thing”, with its soaring harmony
vocals, has the hints of that genre in it, though it’s hardly
flashback music. If anything, the tune embraces the best portions
of it and mixes it with some solid light metal.
“Fly High Michelle,” the song that
Enuff Z’Nuff is best remembered for, is still a pretty
ballad that allows the band to access their softer side without
losing any of the power musically. It’s an interesting trick to
pull off, and one that many bands have failed to do. But Enuff
Z’Nuff nails it on the first try.
There are a few moments of absurdity on
Enuff Z’Nuff that make you wonder what the band was up to.
“Hot Little Summer Girl” finds the boys trying to pretend they’re
Y&T, while “Little Indian Angel” – hell, I still haven’t
figured that one out. It’s an okay song, but it is enough to make
Iron Eyes Cody weep. (Sample lyric: “When I need romance / I do a
raindance / she starts poppin’ / the rain starts droppin’ / and
with my big gun / I shoot another one”. Give me a fuckin’ break.)
And, the less said about “Kiss The Clown,” the better.
Still, for these moments of banality, Enuff Z’Nuff is able to
redeem themselves and make you forget about these transgressions.
“She Wants More,” “For Now” and “I Could Never Be Without You” all
are high points on this album, and should not be missed.
What is surprising about
Enuff Z’Nuff is that it is, for the most part, such a solid
album – especially if you listened to the pundits and didn’t expect
much from the album going into it. And that’s where Howard Stern
comes in; he’s not been afraid to buck the trends and declare this
band hasn’t gotten the attention they deserve. If you take the time
and listen to this album without bias, in the end – though you
might not want to admit it if you don’t like Stern – you’ve got to
admit that he’s right.