10 Boston MA

10

Enuff Z'Nuff

Spitfire Records, 2000

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/09/2000

I think I finally have Enuff Z'Nuff figured out. After sluggingit out for over a decade, both in and out of the spotlight, ChipZ'Nuff and bandmates have come out with 10, their latest effort which takes the sound they've made acareer out of and builds a strong layer upon it.

Listening to this disc for about the fifth time, it came to me:people have been incorrect classifying Enuff Z'Nuff as aBeatles-like band. Listen closely to this disc, and you'll swearyou're listening to Badfinger at times. Follow me on this for aminute: both bands have (or, in Badfinger's case, had) an edge totheir music while glorifying their pop roots, both bands count TheBeatles as major influences, both bands have been unfairly ignoredafter initial success.

A stretch, you say? Maybe... but you won't care about that whenyou listen to 10. This is the record that Z'Nuff and crew have beenworking their way towards their entire career.

The partnership between Z'Nuff and guitarist/vocalist Donnie Vieis one of the most underappreciated in rock's history, and the twobandmates take major steps to correct this on 10. From the opening notes of "There Goes My Heart" (there'sthat Badfinger influence), Enuff Z'Nuff lets the listener knowthey're tired of being ignored, and are going to leave everythingthey have musically in the studio. And we should be on our kneesthanking Yahweh for this.