ENUFF Z’NUFF – Brainwashed Generation (2020)
Featuring founding member Chip Z nuff along with Alex Kane (guitars), Tory Stoffregen (guitars), and Daniel Benjamin Hill (drums) – ENUFF Z’NUFF new studio release, ‘Brainwashed Generation‘ showcases a diverse collection of songs that demonstrate the progression of musical styles in the Enuff Z’Nuff catalog, all while retaining the undercurrent that has kept them a loyal fanbase since the ’80s.
The album features a number of guest musicians including original vocalist / guitarist Donnie Vie, Mike Portnoy, Ace Frehley, and more.
‘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.
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’, 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My Mouth Is’ is a little harder than anything else here and also features outgoing guitarist Tony Fennell who has since been replaced by Alex Kane of L.S.D. and latter day Shark Island.
’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.
‘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 favorite at the minute and a wonderful tribute to Chip’s brother.
‘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.
With ‘Brainwashed Generation’ the next chapter of the Enuff Z’Nuff story has landed and it’s mighty good stuff. Chip and the guys sound ‘like a band’ here, and musically faithful to their beloved ’80s origins.
Highly Recommended
01. The Gospel
02. Fatal Distraction
03. I Got My Money Where My Mouth Is
04. Help I’m in Hell
05. It’s All in Vain
06. Strangers in My Head
07. Drugland Weekend
08. Broken Love
09. Go…
10. Winding Road
Chip Z’nuff – Vocals / Bass
Tory Stoffregen – Guitars
Alex Kane – Guitars
Dan Hill – Drums
Special guests:
Mike Portnoy – Ringo / Beatles replica kit by TAMA – Track 5
DAXX “Cheap Trick” Nielsen – Drums tracks 2, 4, 7, 9
Steve Ramone – Guitar tracks 2, 8
Tony Fennell – Guitar track 3
Joel Norman – Piano track 1
Brian Ray – Guitar track 8
Ace Frehley – Inaudible lead guitar track 7
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www.amazon.co.uk/Brainwashed-Generation-Enuff-Znuff/dp/B08732LCND
