Enuff Z’Nuff

Paraphernalia (Spitfire)
by Martin Popoff

Mixing rainbow colours in their own blessed songwriter’s hall of fame, Enuff Z’Nuff need not change for the world. And on Paraphernalia, they haven’t. Chip, Donnie and Co. come up with another pack of sugary vignettes using a formula that’s always been theirs alone, but is becoming even more cozy and all about Z’nufftown and the trials and tribulations therein, many of which would sink lesser hearts, but in this warm place, make the battles for Enuff recognition even sweeter. Paraphernalia thus rides the same range from crushed velour balladry to crunchy hair-band pop, with a few interesting points in between, namely roots rock, funk, and an occasional ironic darkness. To spice things up there are what one could only call features or chrome add-ons: the Cheap Trick cover, the Rick Neilson, Billy Corgan, and James Young guest guitars, the trip into a pretty hot Chicago studio at which management swung a deal with the boys based on appreciation for the band. Is it the best Enuff Z’Nuff album? Probably not, or maybe for you, but who cares, they’re all the same, and they’re all wonderful.
(19 Hanover Place #240 Hicksville, NY 11801)