Enuff Z’Nuff has always been a pretty prolific band, even after the split between its two founders; Donnie Vie and Chip Z’Nuff. Lately, there has been a very fast and furious pace of recorded output, at least from Chip, who has long been carrying on with the name Enuff Z’Nuff. Clown’s Lounge came out in 2016 and is one of my favorite records by the band (not surprisingly, since most of the material was actually recorded in their heyday). Then in 2018, the band released Diamond Boy which was the first effort with Chip taking on the lead vocals. Brainwashed Generation came along in 2020, and now 2021 has brought us a plethora of music from Chip and also from Donnie. For the record, Donnie Vie is one of the best vocalists out there—I would stack him up with almost anyone. But he leans very pop. Chip Z’Nuff seems to be the rocker of the two of them, and that’s what I like, so while his vocals can’t hold a candle to Vie’s, I’m fine with that. Give me Chip and the rocking Enuff Z’Nuff band every time.
Let’s start with Never Enuff – Rarities & Demos a four-record box set released on August 12, 2021. This one is all older demos, so it’s Chip and Donnie together. The vinyl version comes with beautiful packaging and four different brightly colored vinyl records. Aesthetically, it’s awesome. For true fans, it may well be worth the investment. I should say right now that while I love live music and I go to shows very regularly, when it comes to listening at home, I want the clean studio recorded stuff. As such, I don’t really like many live albums (I can see my friend Ricki C. cringing right now at this blasphemy). And I really don’t like demos that sound muffled or off in quality. As a result, many of the 40 songs, while interesting to hear, won’t be in heavy rotation for me. There are some notable exceptions however. “Higher” is well recorded and sounds like vintage Enuff Z’Nuff, I love that track. The opening track “Bye Bye Love” is pretty strong. I ended up saving 18 of the 40 songs to a playlist and leaving out the rest, so that gives you an indication of what I thought was decent quality and what I just thought was too rough.
Next up, Donnie Vie decided to release a new single and his extensive catalog of solo stuff. On October 15, 2021, he released the new song called “Party Time.” There’s a Batman-themed video out for it that is pretty hokey and it is available on all the streaming services. Personally, I don’t like the song. It doesn’t do much for me at all. A week later, on October 22nd, Donnie made a solo career-spanning set available on a flash drive of all things. It contains all of his solo records, videos and I don’t know what all else, but its hundreds of songs including eight new ones and it was selling for $90 with some extras included as a pre-order. I can’t review that “box set” for you, because I did not buy it. A lot of it was already out there though, and he has some great solo stuff well worth checking out.
Alright, I saved the best for last. On November 12, 2021, Enuff Z’Nuff released Hardrock Nite, a record containing ten songs, all of which are covers of either songs by The Beatles, or songs by Beatles members. I know that it’s a little crazy to try to make an album of Beatles cover songs. If you are a true Beatles fan, chances are you would think this is a record that just did not need to be made. But while I recognize the brilliance of the Fab Four and I like Beatles music, I am not so reverent over them that I have any problem with this at all. In reality, I love it. What’s not to love? It’s one of my favorite bands on the planet, and it rocks. “Cold Turkey” (John Lennon cover) is one of the best tracks on the record. The other non-Beatles song is “Jet” (Paul Mccartney and Wings) and it is strong as well. The best Beatles covers, for me, are “Eleanor Rigby,” “Revolution” and “Back in the USSR.” The record also has “Live and Let Die” and “Helter Skelter” which both rock. The weaker tunes are “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Dear Prudence” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” The reason the record works at all is because Chip chose primarily the most rocking Beatles songs and he did a great job on all of them. I recommend this record if you can get past the fact that it’s the Beatles and just enjoy some great tunes being covered by a great band.
I ranked all of the Enuff Z’Nuff studio releases previously here: Illinois’ Most Prolific Band Not Named Cheap Trick. My list was done prior to Brainwashed Generation, Never Enuff – Rarities and Demos and Hardrock Night. Those additional three records would bring the studio releases to a total of 18. I’m truly glad they are still going strong.
By the way, these would be great Christmas gifts for any Enuff Z’Nuff fan.