Enuff
Z'nuff - Paraphernalia
by
Keavin Wiggins
Artist: Enuff
Z'nuff
Title: Paraphernalia
Label: Pony Canyon
(JAPAN) release date July 17, 1998 (U.S.) Spitfire - May 4, 1999
1.
I'm The Freak
2.
Top Of The Hill
3.
Ain't It Funny
4.
Believe In Love
5.
Habit (So Hard To Break
6.
Baby You're The Greatest
7.
Someday
8.
Unemotional
9.
Invisible
10. All Alone
11. Everything
Works If You Let It (US Version Features Billy Corgan)
12. Loser
Of The World
13. No Place
To Go*
14. Save me*
*US Release
Paraphernalia
is a great example of why Enuff Z'nuff is one of the top bands playing
music today. Unlike other artist who by their 8th studio record sound complacent,
and stop growing musically, Enuff Z'nuff's music keeps evolving and getting
better.
Lead by the Strong song writing skills of lead vocalist/guitarist Donnie
Vie and Bass player Chip Z'nuff, Paraphernalia is another show case for
this song writing duo. Aided by the skillful drumming of Ricky Parent,
and the debut of Monaco on an Enuff Z'nuff disk. Parent has been with the
band since 93' and has appeared on every Cd since. Monaco who took Geno
Martino's place in 96' has not until now been captured in the studio with
the band, although he has gained the love and respect of fans through his
skills during Enuff Z'nuff's live performances.
Vie's vocals as always are superb, grainy yet melodic, and of course filled
with emotion. Z'nuff sets the groove on the album with tasty bass lines
which are, heard throughout the album driving the rockers, and leading
a strong underbelly to the ballads. Parent proves once more that he is
major league hitter, and his beats and fills on Paraphernalia tell us a
little why the fans love him so much. Monaco's leads really shine on all
the tracks, giving the z'nuff sounds his unique flavor and style.
The album opener Freak is a groovy rocker with a psychedelic feel.
When lead singer Donnie Vie promised this would be the heaviest record
since 91's Strength, he must have had this song in mind. The lyrics,
the pinnacle of self loathing, are cleaver, and the melodies like so many
on this disc, are reminiscent of John Lennon. In fact the Lennon quality
of the vocals of Vie are eiree, as if John has come back to sing on this
CD.
Top
of the hill is at the top of my list of great songs on this album.
The heavy guitar riffs get this song groovin, and the dueling vocal styling,
and killer harmonies make this a possible huge hit if radio has the balls
to play it. It only gets better from there. Ain't it funny
again takes the Beatles feel, transforms it to a hard rockin 90's hit in
a way that only Enuff Z'nuff can.
The fourth song Believe in love mix melodic electric and acoustic
guitars with Vie's unique vocal talents. Again this could be a smash hit
for this band. Habit which is one of four songs on this Disc that
appeared on the unreleased Vitamin A album. A melancholy tune which
takes the fast pace of this album down a notch. Baby your the
Greatest, another psychedelic rocker packs a powerful combination of
vocals, bass, guitar and drums.
Now on to the inevitable 7th track Ballad, Someday.
Vie really shines when he gets his voice around emotional music and Someday
is a prime example. The beautiful melodies, piano and sad vocals
almost bring a tear to your eyes if you let yourself get caught up
in the emotion Vie so masterfully places in this power ballad.
I could go on and on the fact is all of these songs are great. Following
Enuff Z'nuff tradition there is not one weak track on this album.
Paraphernalia should wake up the music business to the fact that
this band is one of the best on the scene. So get ready to shell out the
bucks on July 17th to get the Japanese release of this record if you can't
hold out until it is released in the US in early 1999.
Visit the Artist
Feature for Enuff
Z'nuff
You
can find the lyrics and real audio for Paraphernalia on the Peachfuzz unathorized
Enuff Z'nuff fan page |