Amidst covid-19 craziness Chip Z’Nuff’s Enuff Z’Nuff release ‘Brainwashed Generation’ the follow up to 2018’s well received ‘Diamond Boy’ which sees bass player and vocalist Chip Z’Nuff deliver another dose of the band’s patented hard-rock meets power pop. Featuring founding member Chip Z’Nuff along with Alex Kane (guitars), Tory Stoffregen (guitars), and Daniel Benjamin Hill (drums) its an album that is in-keeping with fans expectations and whilst it doesn’t try anything new it does certainly take the crown as the best post-Vie album.
Opening with 39 seconds of ‘The Gospel’ which just ticks the streaming royalties box you’re led into the rather cool ‘Fatal Distraction’ which in all honesty sounds just like vintage Enuff Z’Nuff it’s one of a brace of songs that really stand out here or me. And with guests ranging from Mike Portnoy who on the very Beatles-like ‘It’s All in Vain’ plays a replica Ringo Starr kit, Daxx ‘Cheap Trick’ Nielsen who plays drums on four further tracks and Ace Frehley – credited with an “Inaudible lead guitar”on ‘Drugland Weekend’ (I get to the bottom of that in my interview with Chip – coming soon) there’s some nice cameos too.
But the story of this album is really that it sounds like a ‘band’ again. ‘I Got My Money Where My Mouth Is’ is a little harder than anything else here and also features outgoing guitarist Tony Fennell who has since been replaced by Alex Kane of L.S.D. and latter day Shark Island (who still owes me an interview).’Help I’m in Hell’ is all lush melodies and tales of woe, and the slower build of ‘Strangers in My Head’ has a cameo on vocals by Donnie Vie himself. It’s a track that really nails it and one of my picks of the album.
‘Brainwashed Generation’ does contain a number of longer songs with three clocking in at over 5 minutes and only one of the nine under 4. ‘Drugland Weekend’ which nicely twists part of Aerosmith’s ‘Last Child’ lyric is a darker hard rocker that mixes it up nicely.
‘Broken Love’ is wonderful too, again with that vintage Enuff Z’Nuff feel and build that you know you’ve heard somewhere before (I’ll let you decide) just like the best comfort food for the ears. It’s probably my favourite at the minute and a wonderful tribute to Chip’s brother. It will also be the first single and video according to Chip who I spoke to earlier (Interview coming soon).
‘Go…’ leads us to the close with a lovely psychedelic-tinged tune and final track, the funky, hypnotic ‘Winding Road’ rides a great groove to the very end. The next chapter of the Enuff Z’Nuff story has landed and it’s mighty good stuff.
8/10
Tracklist: The Gospel |Fatal Distraction |I Got My Money Where My Mouth Is |Help I’m In Hell |It’s All In Vain |Strangers In My Head |Drugland Weekend |Broken Love |Go… |Winding Road
Line-up: Chip Z’Nuff – Bass | Tory Stoffregen – Guitars | Alex Kane – Guitars | Dan Hill – Drums
