Very few people have heard of Chicago’s Enuff Z-Nuff. The band was a common case of irresponsible marketing in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Instead of being placed with the growing alternative metal movement they were lumped in with the dying hair metal phenomenon. Ultimately their sound was deemed too clean for alternative and too alternative for hair metal. Their second single and biggest hit ‘Fly High Michelle’ didn’t help matters much either. The song solidified the band as a power ballad group full of neon colors instead of their true identity as an updated version of The Beatles. In 1990, a year after ‘Fly High Michelle’, Enuff Z-Nuff quickly entered the studio to set the record straight about who they were. 1991’s ‘Strength’ showed the band in a much more mature and organic atmosphere. Adding strings and horns to their songs without the use of synthesizers was a vert smart move. Again, the alternative masses thought their sound was too polished and the hair metal movement rejected their audacity to be different. The damage had been done and now Enuff Z-Nuff were doomed to have a life in the deepest depths of the underground. Fortunately, they have kept a consistent album catalog for their fans producing 12 studio albums and a live album. Unlike many of their peers, Enuff Z-Nuff never lost their passion, their sound or their dignity. Plus the writing duo of Chip Z-Nuff and Donnie Vie is a machine that continuously churns out classic, high quality song writing. They continue to make great work and somehow haven’t lost their vigor to the all common down-tuning situation that’s happening. If you’re unfamiliar with the band I highly encourage you to check out their extensive catalog. Strongest albums include: ‘Strength’, ‘Animals With Human Intelligence’, ‘Tweaked’, ‘Paraphernalia’, ’10’ and ‘Dissonance’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhNeUN-BWk
Happy to see some love for Enuff Z’Nuff! Cheap Trick meets the Beatles. One of my favourite bands, they were great and I was a fan from the start. It’s a shame they never got the recognition they deserved, as you mentioned the songwriting was always top-notch and Donnie’s voice is one of the best in rock.
Strength, Seven and 10 are great albums but really, every record they ever out had at least a few great songs on them. I’m planning to write up an article on them myself soon.
Awesome man…They really are just one of the most underrated bands of all time next to King’s X. Strength is such an amazing album. I’m so glad that Ace Frehley is taking them out on the road with him.
Such a good an underrated band. They suffered the same fate as Love/Hate in that the label had no idea how to market them. They clearly had more in common with the Alternative rock movement. But got thrown in with the wingers and danger dangers that were scraping in to the tail end of hair metal.