Slightly awkward title, although 'the heavy metal Beatles' have always provided us with strange album titles. Thankfully the music is still sugary, summery and toxic like a drug you just know ain't doin' ya know good, but which feels heavenly each time it's experienced. The opener is a dirty Beatles anthem, 'Fine Line' shimmers and shakes as you'd expect, could that be a cut from 'Paraphernalia', tinged and unhinged by Donnie's slightly sombre lyrics. Chip's bass bubbles wondrously again and again, can this band continue to write such solid records ? Of course they can because they've done it for so long, and 'Roll Away' will bring that tear to the eye once again, bringing to mind The Beatles 'Long & Winding Road', stunning.
Despite the drugs, Vie is an amazing frontman, like Rod Stewart his fragile broken soul reaches deep within and as he chokes back the cigarette smoke and years of hurt, another classic melody emerges from his lips. 'Altered States' begins in cheery motion like something from The Beatles 'Rubber Soul', and Vie must surely be Lennon in disguise behind that muffled vocal delivery. All the while building to another ecstatic chorus where doves soar to the sky and sun-beams reach down to the pastures. Hard to fault as a rock 'n' roll band. Like British rock stars Oasis (but not as massive) Enuff Z Nuff where their hearts and their influences on their sleeves and like the British combo, they appeal, but tragically not as far and wide. It's strange how this record was only released in Japan, sure, those guys go mad for this kind of stuff, but so do I so come on, give Enuff Z Nuff they respect they deserve because they've been great for so long.
8/10
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