"This is your lucky day / There's a brand new situation / You're the one that's here to stay."  So begins Animals With Human Intelligence, Enuff Z'nuff's third major studio album (their first for Arista). These lyrics demonstrate the faith and confidence the band had in themselves, despite the loss of their drummer Vic Fox to the Vince Neil Band during the recording sessions for Animals.
     The first track, "Superstitious", sets the tone for the album by combining a funky, harmonic laden, metal guitar hook with jazz band styled saxophones underneath (they show up again on the angry "Master of Pain"). It's a bit of a surprise after the clean pop rock sound of their previous album Strength. One would expect the band to continue along  the same vein. After all, Strength, while not a high selling album, solidified Enuff Z'nuff as a critical success, garnering rave reviews and earning them the status of Rolling Stone magazine's "Band of the Year" for 1991. Enuff Z'nuff, however, seem to have become the group embodiment of Neil Young, in that they will record what they want, when they want, and damn the critics if they don't like it. As a result, Animals  With Human Intelligence is the anti Strength: quick, dirty and filled with attitude, and it works. 
     Heavy sounds dominate the album. Hard rock pieces are peppered throughout the 12 tracks, ready to slap you back into your seat in case you get carried away by one of Animals' lighter tunes (such as the instant classic "One Step Closer To You"). "Black  Rain" is a dark soliloquy with a raw, bluesy guitar and Beatlesque harmonies, and the aforementioned "Master of Pain" has a bass and guitar dual riff that sounds positively sick. The album's closer, "Rock 'N' World", is an arena pleasing, in your face anthem that's a perfect driving song.
     The obligatory power ballads are here too, with somewhat mixed results. "Innocence" is a thoughtful, poetic warning about rushing into adulthood too soon. It's a well composed piece with dreamy background vocals and a powerful ending. The other entry, "Right By Your Side", doesn't fare as well, managing to combine both the worst and best of 1980's cheese into one song. The verses are generic, employing an overused arrangement (complete with the slow  "chunk-chunk-chunk" power chords found in most hair bands of the day) with a predictable melody. At the chorus though, this baby soars triumphantly into something much more than it deserves.  See if you don't walk away humming it. 
     Not too many Z'nuffers claim Animals With Human Intelligence as their favorite album by the band, but if it's been a while since you've heard it  dust it off and give it another chance. Overall, it's a solid offering and an album that grows on you after repeated listenings.
     As Donnie Vie says in "Rock 'N' World" - "It's so damn cool, I've been there twice."
     You should go, too.

                                                                    -John N. Daily