This record is one of a string of mid-career recordings by Chicago natives Enuff Z'Nuff. Paraphernalia is arguably heavier in nature than many of their previous recordings. This album is also notable for its guest appearances from other famous Chicago area musicians, including Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, James Young of Styx, and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, all featured on lead guitar for several of the album's tracks.[3]

Paraphernalia
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 4, 1999
Recorded1995–1998
StudioChicago Recording Company and Velvet Shirt Studios, Chicago,
Star Trax, Orland Park,
Groovemaster, Evergreen Park, Illinois
GenreHard rock, power pop
Length54:34
LabelStoney / Spitfire
ProducerChip Z'Nuff, Donnie Vie
Enuff Z'nuff chronology
Seven
(1997)
Paraphernalia
(1999)
10
(2000)
Singles from Paraphernalia
  1. "Freak"
    Released: 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal8/10[2]

A promotional video was shot for the single "Freak". The director of the video, comedian Matt Kissane, is also a Chicago resident. Clips from the "Freak" video were televised nationally on VH1.[4] The song "Ain't It Funny" also received national exposure with the band's live performance on The Jenny Jones Show.

The cover art of the US version of the album is a homage to the rock band Queen's second album, Queen II. The Japanese version of Paraphernalia, released earlier than the US edition, features different artwork and fewer songs than its domestic counterpart. While promoting this record, the full band toured in Japan for the first time, where they have found some success over the years.

Track listing

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All songs written by Donnie Vie and Chip Z'Nuff, except where indicated

  1. "Freak" – 4:54
  2. "Top of the Hill" – 2:53
  3. "Ain't It Funny" – 3:44
  4. "Believe in Love" – 4:36
  5. "Habit" – 4:01
  6. "Baby You're the Greatest" – 4:42
  7. "Someday" (Vie) – 3:43
  8. "Unemotional" – 3:57
  9. "Invisible" – 4:19
  10. "All Alone" – 4:10
  11. "Everything Works if You Let It" (Rick Nielsen) – 3:17
  12. "Save Me" – 3:30 (US Release Only)
  13. "No Place to Go" – 4:00 (US Release Only)
  14. "Loser of the World" (Vie) – 2:29

Personnel

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Enuff Z'Nuff
Additional musicians
Production
  • Chris Shepard – engineer, mixing
  • Eric Gast, Jeff Luif, Johnny K, Mike Tholen, Phil Bonanno, "Dollar" Douglas, Jeff Lane, Duane Exline, Ron Lowe – engineers
  • Dan Stout – mastering

Release history

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Country Release date
Japan July 17, 1998
United States May 4, 1999

References

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  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Paraphernalia". Allmusic. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Popoff, Martin (August 1, 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. pp. 142–143. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
  3. ^ Layne, Anni (February 11, 1999). "Where Pumpkins Fear to Tread". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  4. ^ VH-1 Where Are They Now: Hair Bands IMDb. Retrieved January 17, 2012.