Enuff Z'nuff - Clowns Lounge

[Stefan]

Press release:

 

BREAKING NEWS: Enuff Z'Nuff To Release "Clowns Lounge" December 2nd via Frontiers Music Srl

Enuff Z’nuff is the living, breathing example of what a rock/ pop group should be. In fact, the band is the very chrome-glinted definition of it.

With every album and live performance packed to the brim with rock/ pop perfection, there are no signs of the band slowing down. You can catch the band on tour through 2017 in support of its soon to be released album "Clowns Lounge".

Clowns Lounge is a collection of rarities and early demos that have been reworked and re-recorded by the band and will be released December 2nd via Frontiers Music Srl. This exceptional collection also features a guest appearance from the late Jani Lane of WARRANT as well as an appearance from James Young of Styx.

As people have been clamoring for a new release from Enuff Z’nuff, the band just happened to receive a call from Derek Shulman, and the rest was history:

“We had unfinished, unreleased material in the vault, and I went back into the studio in Chicago and started working on all the songs. Guitars, bass, vocals, it all needed to be tweaked, and with help from Chicago Recording Company and Chris Steinmetz of Stonecutter recording studios, we were able to create another rock solid record. It is basically an archival record featuring original band and Enuff Z'nuff as it is today. The record showcases the best elements of Enuff Z'nuff in the early days ; in your face glitter rock with pop overtones. This is a true must have rock record for the diehard Enuff Z'nuff fans worldwide."

Chip on how the songs came about: “Donnie and I wrote the songs in the later part of 1988-89. They were recorded in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on 2" inch analog tape, during the time of our debut. The tracks were never finished, as we were very prolific and focused on laying down as many ideas as possible. Through the resources provided to us: recording studio, production, etc., we had a plethora of songs during that era and for one reason or another this batch slipped through the cracks. To restore the record we returned to the studio to record guitar, bass vocals, etc. which took us about six weeks in my studio and at CRC (Chicago Recording Company) along with Stonecutter studio in downtown Chicago. The skeleton of the song was already in place and we wanted to make sure the record had the feel of where the band is today. We also added a bonus single track (Dog on a Bone) that we plan on releasing as the first single.”

Of course a huge contributing member to this release was Donnie Vie. “Donnie and I wrote the songs together, as we have on all the Enuff Z'nuff albums. In 2013 Donnie left the band, disillusioned by the business and facing related health issues, and although he will not tour with the band he still shares in our vision of putting out great music. As he is dealing with his medical condition, we have his blessings on the record and moving forward with me as lead singer. When Peter Gabriel left Genesis, Phil Collins took over lead vocal duties. That is exactly the template we used here as now I front the band and look forward to moving it into the future”, says Chip.

 

Chip Z’nuff - Singer, electric bass, guitar
Tony FennelL - Electric guitar, vox
Tory Stoffregen - Lead guitar, vox
Erik Donner - Drums, percussion, vox

 

 

Tracks:

 

1. Dog On A Bone
2. Runaway
3. Back In Time
4. She Makes It Harder
5. Rockabye Dreamland
6. The Devil Of Shakespeare (Feat. Jani Lane and James Young)
7. Radio
8. Good Luv
9. Round And Round
10. Nothing
11. Backstreet Kids
12. One More Hit

[Geoff]

It's a shame Vie is no longer a part of the band because otherwise this would actually be a pretty exciting release. Without Vie it won't sound like Enuff Z'Nuff, but I do kinda want to hear these old tunes re-done.

[Stefan]

[JLPRocks]

I liked that tune......didn't think that Vie was gonna be on this? I guess on some older tracks they have the original vocals???

[martinsane]

I liked that tune......didn't think that Vie was gonna be on this? I guess on some older tracks they have the original vocals???

Agreed on all points. That song easily could have been in the debut.

[Nightrain]

well I guess that explains, just read the description, this new album is a collection of 88-89 left over, might not be as good as the first two but might be close,

not bad, I guess this will be even better than expected, especially if compared to the last 3 albums

[shamus]

Anyone know how many songs Vie sings on this one?

[Stefan]

[Geoff]

Oh yeah, so I misunderstood too. I assumed "re-worked and re-recorded" meant the songs were being completely re-recorded in 2016. But it sounds like what they're actually doing is trying to polish the sound quality of the original demos and release the original songs. That's promising.

 

Or could the songs be re-recorded with everything except the original vocal track? The 2nd song still sounds a bit like a polished demo, though, and the backing vocals still sound like the original Enuff Z'Nuff.

 

Anyway, I don't like 'Rockabye Dreamland' at all, but 'She makes it harder' is good... very debut/Strength-esque.

[Stefan]

[Nightrain]

quite average tune that one, but still there's a dim light of the tunnel that this is gonna be an okay album

[Geoff]

quite average tune that one, but still there's a dim light of the tunnel that this is gonna be an okay album

 

When you say it's an average tune, at the same time are you also acknowledging the fact that it's a billion times better than anything they've released since 'Animals with human intelligence?' Because I admit it's not the most amazing track ever, but it's from an era when this band was still good and I like it. Cool tune.

[Stefan]

[Geoff]

 

Fucking hell, what is that? Can he please never, ever do that again? And can he find a place to hide and stay there until I tell him it's okay to come out?

 

The songs is as awful as his presence in the video is. Just stick with releasing 30 year old demos with the proper singer for this band, please.

 

Wasn't this all supposed to be old stuff? Why does he want to ruin it with dogshit like this?

[PeterS]

Set my expectations pretty low and certainly been exceeded. A few spins in and quite enjoyed it so far.

 

Looking at the new release list also probably the last new album of the year to listen to for me. Hopefully people will start posting their best of the year lists soon and I can go back to some I've missed.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

Hopefully people will start posting their best of the year lists soon and I can go back to some I've missed.

Yeah, me, too. I've purchased so few albums this year, as I'm trying to put money aside for a house. The odd thing is I almost completely stopped downloading, too. So I'm way out of the loop.

[CureTheSane]

Unfortunately I let EZN fade into obscurity as well.

Thought they had some great stuff in the past, and one of the best 80's bands not to really make it.

Never was able to get into Fly High Michelle for some reason.

For me, their best songs are

 

Heaven Or Hell

The World Is A Gutter

Goodbye

Long Way To Go

Mother's Eyes

Baby Loves You

Time To Let You Go

Right By Your Side

These Days

Who's Got You Now

Rainy Day

Message Of Love

Happy Holiday

So Long