Get Enough (Ivy song)

Ivy was formed in 1994, spurred by Andy Chase's wish to form a band. After repeatedly encouraging member Dominique Durand to sing, she reluctantly lent her vocals to the demo of "Can't Even Fake It", which would eventually appear on their debut EP, Lately (1994). Along with instrumentalist and musician Adam Schlesinger, they recorded several more songs, including "Get Enough" and "Drag You Down", the later of which would serve as the vinyl release's B-side track.[1] Durand later admitted to CMJ New Music Monthly's Chris Cuffaro that the music behind Realistic (1995) was inspired by French musicians such as Françoise Hardy and Serge Gainsbourg, singers she had grown up listening to while living in France.[2]

The composition was written by Durand, Chase and Schlesinger, and produced by the latter two and Kurt Ralske. It was recorded and mixed by the trio at The Place, a recording studio in New York City, while it was mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound Studios in Chelsea.[3] It was described as a folk rock and pop song by AllMusic.[4] According to the back side of the record's packaging, "Get Enough" had a limited release consisting of only 2,000 printed copies; each individual vinyl sleeve included a handwritten number indicating which copy the consumer received.[5][6] A remixed version of the recording was also released in 1994, created by Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade as a CD single.[7] In his book New York Rock, author Steven Blush compared "Get Enough" to the works of German musician Nico.[8]

"Get Enough" was highlighted by critics due to Durand's vocals and its simple production. Vickie Gilmer and Ira Robbins of Trouser Press were impressed by the singer's vocal delivery on the track. The pair claimed that her "airy, petal-soft lilt and the music's toned-down pop bounce make it forever Ivy".[9] Billboard's Larry Flick reviewed the CD single as part of his "Single Reviews: Rock Tracks" column. He wrote that Durand's "seductive French accent seeps through a suspiciously sugar-sweet delivery", and noted that her delivery comes off "pure as dirt, but cool nonetheless".[10] British newspaper Melody Maker named "Get Enough" a "Single of the Week" in 1994.[11]

In order to promote "Get Enough", Ivy performed at several music festivals and made several concert appearances. Serving as the opening act for English band Gene, the trio performed "Get Enough" (along with "Shallow" and "Don't Believe a Word") at Union Square in San Francisco on July 21, 1995. Aurore Bacmann from Twee Kitten noted that the rendition was "very good" and "never too loud, but pleasantly enough to distract you from your grim thoughts and worries".[12] Additional performances with varying set lists occurred the same day at the Wherehouse Records headquarters, where Durand allowed the audience to request certain songs, and at the Rasputin Records music shop in Berkeley, California, the following afternoon.[12]

• 7" single[5]

1. "Get Enough" – 2:42
2. "Drag You Down" – 2:22

• Promotional CD single[7]

1. "Get Enough" (Paul Q. Kolderie & Sean Slade Remix) – 2:41

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Realistic.[3]

Works cited

• Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2002). All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul (illustrated ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306533.
• Blush, Steven (2016). New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB. Macmillan. ISBN 978-1250083623.