I think it's magnificent!

About twenty something years ago I walked into my local record shop (remember those?), looking for something to buy. On first look around nothing caught my fancy until I noticed the second album from the band Enuff Z Nuff called ‘Strength’. After some umming and ahing (because I wasn’t that big a fan of the debut), I decided to give it a go and the rest, as they say. is history because it blew my socks off , and ever since then I have been a massive fan of the band.

Which brings me to Donnie Vie, erstwhile lead singer of the Enuffs and his new solo album, ‘Wrapped Around My Middle Finger’. In a word this is magnificent, and to elaborate this is a rock and roll album that hits all the sweet spots and whilst it won’t win prizes for originality, it is still the best thing I’ve heard this year. Full of Beatle-esque moments (something the Bio denies), attitude, passion and hooks, WAMMF’ has it all in abundance. And the songs wow! ‘Wrapped Around My Middle’ kicks things off and it’s all swagger and bravado with Donnie Vie grabbing your attention as soon as he starts to sing. ‘Wunderland’ follows with its ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’-inspired lyrics; the track has a dream like quality that gets better with each subsequent listen.

‘Lisa’ has a Monkees/Beatles vibe running right through it; it’s a fun track that bounces along with a great hookline that drills its way into your brain. ‘Now Ya Know’ is just magic, a chorus that you can’t help but sing along to, some wonderful musicianship and again that wonderful raspy vocal delivery from Donnie Vie all help make this a bit of a monster. ‘Lil Wonder’ has a bluesy feel to it, and the clever use of a piano during the song gives it a different slant, Donnie also puts in his best vocal, raw and emotional, he wringing every last drop of passion he can from the music and lyrics of the song. ‘Flames Of Love’ is another catchy rocker that rolls along at a fair old clip that once again it has attitude by the bucket load and the band seem to be having a blast as they play the song. Finally we have ‘I Won’t Let You Down’ a mid-paced tale of love, loss and redemption, the country/blues like vocal, is complimented by some great Hammond organ that runs throughout the song and once again Donnie Vie sings like his soul depended on it.

Summing up the qualities of this album is a conundrum because I am fully aware that Donnie and Enuff Z Nuff aren’t to everyone’s taste. That said if wonderfully played, sung and written rock ‘n’ roll is what you’re after then ‘Wrapped Around My Middle Finger’ must get a high place, on your ever expanding wants list. As I mentioned earlier – I think it’s magnificent!

Ian Johnson