Animals With Human Intelligence

Album Review

Enuff Z'Nuff's fortunes were quickly spiraling out of control by the time they released their third album, Animals with Human Intelligence, in 1993. The previous year had seen them dropped by record company Atco (which had somehow managed to completely bury their incredible sophomore album, Strength), only to be snapped right back up by Arista Records — not exactly a force in hard rock circles either. Still, the band rose to the challenge with a strong, if erratic, effort, featuring such awesome examples of post-Cheap Trick melodic rock like "Right by Your Side" and "One Step Closer to You," as well as noticeably forced metallic numbers like "Black Rain" and "Master of Pain." Also on offer is one of the band's most psychedelic moments ("The Love Train"), a ballad to die for ("Innocence"), and an unquestionable career highlight in "Mary Anne Lost Her Baby," whose at once beautiful and terrifying melodies perfectly complement its painful portrayal of abortion-related guilt. Sadly, the band's new label proved as incompetent as their last and this album too would sink without a trace. Spectacularly named drummer Vikki Foxx added insult to injury by quitting to join Vince Neil's band as soon as the sessions for Animals wrapped; and with lead guitarist Derek Frigo also with one foot out the door, Enuff Z'Nuff's tragic, comic career began to slide into obscurity.