Paraphernalia

Accepting the fact that they're unlikely to become anything bigger than a cult band has actually done wonders for Enuff Z'Nuff. Instead of shooting for the stars, they're simply working on their craft, sharpening their melodic skills and trying different things. They've returned to hard rock, but haven't left their popcraft or studio mastery behind. In turn, Paraphernalia is their best album since Tweaked. Where that album found the band exploring their dark side, this is a lighter album that has a winning mixture of rockers, pop tunes and ballads, with nothing more in mind than having a good time. And it is a good time -- the band has found a great blend of metal and power-pop which would make their idols Cheap Trick proud (and it probably does, since Rick Nielsen cameos on the record.) [Paraphernalia was originally released on the Japanese label Pony Canyon in 1998. The following spring, it was issued in America on Spitfire. The American version features Billy Corgan's guest guitar on "Everything Works If You Let It," plus two new tracks: "No Place to Go" and "Save Me."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine|