SFK Newsletter 12-99

reviewed by Marty Dodge

ENUFFZ’NUFF: 
PARAPHERNALIA, Spitfire Records [similarities: Cheap Trick, Beatles]

Perennial “big in Japan” Chicago based popsters “Enuff Znuff” return with yet another album. This time they managed to rope in some of their hometown friends and fellow musicians, some of whom would not be thought of as being EZ type of music. After spending the last decade playing tribute to the band in one form or another, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick repays the respect and appears on the album, as does Smashing Pumpkins supremo Billy Corigan and Styx guitarist James Young.

Based around the duo of Donnie Vie and Chip Znuff, the band is criminally overlooked by all but the most dedicated. Every track on this 14 song affair deserves to be on Top 40 radio. EZ combine Beatles/Cheap Trick type pop sensibilities and harmony with a strong rock backbone. It is patently obvious that if the right pop sensation were to cover any of these tunes it would go to number 1. Granted the opening track “Freak” or “Ain’t if Funny” (Ain’t it funny how you feel like dying…) probably would not work for Shania Twain, rock darlings Creed could pull either song off and make a hit. “Freak” is a testament to those who feel out of sorts with the world, a cry to be noticed. 

The Vie/Znuff writing combination are unbeatable. It is no wonder that the band is still huge in Japan.  It is just a pity that American audiences are too blind to see the brilliance that is the band.

Of course EZ produce some great love songs like the cheeky  “Baby you’re the Greatest” where the boys pull out all their Cheap Trick (s) and “Believe in Love.” They then ape the Beatles on “Someday” complete with Lennon-esque piano. The band does tend to wear their influences on their collective sleeve but frankly who cares when it is this good. “Everything…” is a great sing along tune which ought to be great live. The final track “Loser” with its wistful vocals and haunting piano wrap up the album nicely and leave the listener with a pleasant feeling.
It is possible to argue that Paraphernalia is the best thing EZ has put out for a long time maybe even since the “Real Thing” era. It is obvious to the listener that EZ don’t give a shit if the music is out of fashion, hey just play what they like and stuff the everything else. EZ’s music is catchy as hell and always leaves you feeling good after a listen. Will this CD launch them to superstardom 

Marty Dodge (http://www.lupusandco.com)