Dissonance is the exact opposite of what this album brings.
Enuff Z'nuff is back with an album that is real aural bliss. This is the limited edition of the album which was only available at the US festival Rocklahoma back in July. It is not the official release, it doesn't come with any lyrics and it will be interesting to see if these songs are the ones on the final release as it has gone through some transformations in the past. I hope a few more songs are added to the final release since 9 songs and a play time of 36 minutes is a bit short. However, quality is always more important than quantity and each song has something to offer, with favorites standing out right away.
After the messy affair that the last album
? (Question Mark) was, Dissonance is a much more focused deal and, as far as I know, contains only newly written songs.
Hopefully the dissonance within the band is now over. After 7 years in the dark, the lost weekend as he calls it,
Donnie Vie has rejoined the band and the essential
Enuff Z'nuff songwriting team, Chip and Donnie are back together.
Longtime faithful guitarist/live singer
Johnny Monaco is out of the band and Jake E Lee, known from
Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands is now credited as guitarist while Vinnie Castaldo has joined as the new drummer after Ricky passed away to cancer in October 2007 - R.I.P.
The music is still undeniably
Enuff Z'nuff's special brand of Rock with Donnie's voice, the unforgettable melodies and the Beatles influence in place. The album also moves forward as the songs have a fresh mature feel to them. It feels like a new leaf has been turned over.
One thing in particular made me think that the cooperation between Chip and Donnie has not been as close as in the past. I'm missing Chip's harmonies in a few songs and that is a shame.
This would have lifted an already fantastic song like
Roll Away to new heights. Donnie is doing a few harmonies himself here, but it just doesn't fulfill the potential the song has. Still, as I said it is fantastic in this incarnation and was my first favorite. The opening is pure
Enuff Z'nuff with Donnie singing in a soft voice filled with soul and feeling. The melody is memorable and many small touches enhance the song. I can't help but smile every single time I hear a particular rhyme this song offers. Relaxed and utterly charming is what this song is. You could be driving to work, relaxing on the couch or playing
poker games online for all I know. This song is only one Chip away from hitting the jackpot.
Several songs deal with what has happened in the last 7 years, in particular the moving
Joni Lynn where the wound from Donnie's failed marriage is torn open and bared to all. The song develops with many listens and has a haunting staying power that makes it unforgettable. Chip's bass work stands out as brilliant and Donnie's singing is filled with emotion in what may be one of his finest moments ever. The song is expressed with heart and soul in a way that feels real and it reaches a pinnacle near the end with added harmonies bringing an extra punch.
This said, the song unfortunately lacks a guitar solo that can live up to the rest of the song. The solo gets the job done, but is not on the same level as the rest of the song.
A natural follow-up to Joni Lynn is
Altered States which adds a positive vibe and deals with moving on, through MySpace no less. This is
Enuff Z'nuff and it feels good. I feel that
Altered States is the closely related brother to
All Right from the "10" album. Both rhythm and vibe has similarities. Great song!
Throughout the album Chip absolutely smokes on the bass. Fortunately, the bass is high in the mix and easily enjoyed. Already in the opening title track it is evident how important the bass is in the music as it adds a certain drive to the whole thing as well as über cool details. The title track has a harder edge that works well. The drive in the main verse is a definite highlight. At first I hated the ending part where
Donnie Vie's voice, screaming and distorted, puts an unfortunate end to the song but with repeated listens it makes more sense. It does fit nicely with the meaning of the song but could have been executed better.
Look no further than the fantastic middle section of
Lazy Dazy for an example of the Beatles influence that has always been an important element in the band. I tired of the chorus after the first 5 listens but this passage saves the entire song and gives it a special vibe.
Fine Line is another highlight with a lot to discover. Details are hidden in both guitar and bass while Donnie's singing is engaging in a open, right-in-your-face kind of way.
High is probably my least favorite song as it doesn't seem to have the same infectious charm of the rest. Still, a good song with a standout guitar solo.
Playground begins with a fun kind of Batman meets Blues Brothers vibe. Fun is the keyword here and the song gets better and better with each listen, the layered chorus being a superb highlight.
As the city, album closer
Chicago oozes with atmosphere. The song has a slightly different production than the rest and Chip also sings lead vocals on it. It works very well as he gives the song the perfect vibe.
Like the very best
Enuff Z'nuff albums Dissonance has moments and songs which cross that magical borderline where they touch something deep within and wrap you up in a sea of chills. This is music that makes you feel something and it stays interesting due to strong songwriting.
Dissonance is a wonderful effort and hopefully only the first glimpse of a rejuvenated band, back and hungry for more.
Written by
Steen Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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