Split Enz

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ!

....are one of the best kept secrets in music!

Split Enz were/are, IMO, one of the best bands in the world since The Beatles.
over a period of nine years from 75-84 they released nine studio albums.
although memebers of the band came and went with each album, the basic nucleus of Neil and Tim Finn remained tight and focused.
their music range from Arthouse type pop,jazz,pop,new wave,vaudeville,country and new wave/punk...basically anything and everything they could mold into their own unique style, much the same as The Beatles did.
the comparrisons to the Beatles do not stop there, Tim Finn was pretty much the Lennon of the group...always adding something weird,cryptic,dark and unusual to the songs.
Neil Finn was the master craftsman of fine pop tunes that were easily digested by the listener in much the same way as McCartney.
also, the pair wrote seperately but bounced ideas off one another, much the same as John and Paul.
like the Beatles, Split Enz and the Finn brothers were in many ways ahead of their time.
i have always thought that had they come from the UK or US rather than a little island at the bottom of the earth(New Zealand) that they would have got more exposure to the wider musical community and been hugely successful.
i'll try to bring whatever 'facts' i can about the albums and band members as we proceed through this, but it is difficult as both Finn Brothers are very private people so i need to be vigilant in what i post as most information tends to be secondhand comments from friends and associates,therefore may not be entirely accurate.
hopefully you will all learn to like/love and/or at least appreciate the talent that lies here within the beginners guide to Split Enz.

a small teaser of what's to come...

[video=youtube;vKj4upY1VYI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKj4upY1VYI[/video]

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "mental notes" 1975.

the debut set by the Enz, released three years after the Art School graduates formed the band to play gigs in order to get money for drinking beer on weekends.
Neil Finn was not in the band at this time as he was still in school so Tim shared vocal duties with Phil Rudd.
this one is full of Art Rock, Prog Rock and slightly Avante Guard sounds.
the style and feel of a lot of these songs is similar to the sounds that Bowie was also making at the same time, thus also having a sense of theatrics and chaos in the lyrical delivery.
their concerts around this time were also filled with theatrics,mime and general absurdness, which complimented their way out hair dues, court jester outfits and makeup.
the band at this stage were popular on university Campus and Student club environments.
Under The Wheel & Maybe are probably the two best places to start with this album IMO.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. WALKING DOWN THE ROAD***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyP15iHmX...re=related audio
2. UNDER THE WHEEL***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khPvE9JMg5A audio
3. AMY(darlin')***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CWQ6EDZG...re=related audio
4. SO LONG FOR NOW**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S28mCnaH...re=related audio
5. STRANGER THAN FICTION**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T4bHxbR0...re=related audio
6. TIME FOR A CHANGE***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwT0gEDPZ...re=related audio
7. MAYBE***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psadmPirq...re=related audio
8. TITUS***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqc1heNj8...re=related audio
9. SPELLBOUND*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4E-jGjPg...re=related audio
10.MENTAL NOTES**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d80t_wzZq...re=related audio

3s=6
2s=3
1s=1

rating: 2.5

[SteveO]

Great Crazy !

I loved the Split Enz video, you can see they're full of unrelentless talent...tons of energy a lot of music going on here !

Funny video, sort of a Buddy Holly thing going on ????

yes Steve i think you are correct, The Enz often paid tribute to their idols....by the way that is a young Neil Finn who looks like Buddy!

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "second thoughts" 1976.

after the commercial failure of the debut album the Enz relocated to the UK where Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera produced this one.
although not technically a true second album as it has four tracks from the debut set (tracks 2,3,6,7) re-recorded and reinvented, thus only giving five new tracks to the Enz catalogue.
the result being a merging of prog rock, folk and vaudeville/music hall material...seen to work in no better effect than on the new song "the woman who loves you"...complete with a 'spoons' solo in the middle...which shows just how offbeat Tim Finn and co. were at the time.
the other great new track here is "late last night",a nice 1940s feel song, which became the bands first hit single in Australia and New Zealand.
its worth checking the video links here, as with all their videos in general as they were always 'out there' and entertaining.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. late last night***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24pkWfrVsbw video
2. walking down a road**
3. titus**
4. lovey dovey**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKYsZx_Lof0&feature=fvsr video
5. sweet dreams**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjm7thPQjOI video
6. stranger than fiction*
7. time for a change**
8. matinee idyll(129)**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5cbx-MOs8w audio
9. the woman who loves you***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8a_zFMc79g live

3s=2
2s=6
1s=1

rating: 2.1

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "dizrythmia" 1977.

Neil Finn, upon completing his schooling, joined the band for the recording of this one....not sure why Phil Rudd left at this point but it was timely for the younger Finn's entrance!
with Neil's involvement from here on in we see a change in the Enz musical direction, gone are the prog rock sounds and lengthy songs and in come more commercial/radio friendly material...allbeit slowly over the next couple of releases, although the album was not a commercial success Down Under it did spawn one hit...the Tim penned vaudevill/music hall sounding "my mistake". the other standout track on this one is also another Tim Finn penned track...the lovely "charlie".
Neil contributed several tracks to this one but he was still learning how to write, therefore there is nothing of real note from his pen. Still, this is a good album but not as good as the previous two releases.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. bold as brass**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhFyLNXzQfc live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAoiZL7dHkY video
2. my mistake***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKfE10zY2ds live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKQ2H4QW9M video
3. parrot fashion love**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynriEDOH0KI live
4. sugar and spice*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt5tXIIrnW0 audio
5. without a doubt**
6. crossroads*
7. charlie**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OjWkF8rPic live
8. nice to know*
9. jamboree**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR1Xjbalmj4 audio
10.another great divide**

3s=1
2s=6
1s=3

rating: 1.8

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "the beginning of the enz" 1978.

frustrated by the dismal chart failure of Dizrythmia the Enz decided to get away and go back to the UK to spend quality time in the UK working on new tracks. they knew they had something special and could not realise why they werent selling records when their live shows always sold out.
in the meantime though Mushroom Records decided to release an album of some of the Enz earliest recordings dating back to 1973.
the album contains the first single released by the band (split ends) and several early variations of other now released tracks:
129...the original version of Matinee Idyll & the original versions of both Lovey Dovey and Spellbound, plus six previously unreleased tracks, all in a very folk sounding style. the pick of these tracks is the music-hall-esque "sweet talking spoon song".
one thing that amazes me is that whatever style the Enz do has a very Split Enz sound to it, im still not sure exactly what that is but its there,
all in all a very good collection of strong tracks showing the talent these guys had right from the get-go.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. split ends***
2. for you***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m71fa_CAdpw&feature=fvst audio
3. 129**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJL_um0aPSw live
4. home sweet home**
5. sweet talking spoon song***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WfM1P7LPmk audio
6. no bother to me**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2HBe4RUL6A live
7. malmsbury villa**
8. lovey dovey**
9. spellbound**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfX25gjqGJQ audio

3s=3
2s=6
1s=0

rating: 2.3

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "frenzy" 1979.

after their return from the UK with a whole batch of new material,some of which had been re-recorded and used this album on the b-sides of subsequent singles, the Enz went back in the studio again to record what IMO would become their best 'split enz' sounding album.
this one contains all the classic Enz sounds, short,sharp catchy new wave/pop songs.the first ten tracks were all issued on the Aussie vinyl album,the cd contains six other tracks,all equally as good that were recorded during the same sessions.
the album also marks a change in the way Neil and Tim composed the songs also. prior to the beginning of the sessions Neil and Tim wrote down a series of titles they thought might sound like good song titles, they then gave each other the song titles they had written down so the other one could come up with a song to suit the titles, with the success of this way of doing it, the pair continied to do this until Tim left the band four albums later.
this album contains Tim's first real classic ballad, along with his "i see red", a classic new wave/punky track that bought the group widespread airplay and real exposure to the music masses.
the overall sound of the album is one of new wave and pop. Neil's best one here is Give It A Whirl which shows to some degree the route he was starting take and would continue through the early Crowded House days, but the most interesting track is Abu Dhabi, which starts off all mid-eastern then launches into some fine new wave music...for an instrumental, this is quite good IMO and well worth a listen.
the album is a tight, concise collection of well written tracks that few other new wave albums could equal.
please check out the video link of the tracks and also the live links as they truly show everything that Split Enz is.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. give it a whirl***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S26-UZbxP...755BF804CF video
2. i see red***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKj4upY1VYI video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNCkb_SfTbo live
3. famous people***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tah52vTsBrM video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcDdqJuOGzI live
4. hermit mcdermitt***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXQ1Z-Cu9Ng video
5. stuff and nonsense***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNKymrS3Z...BCAA8755EA live
6. mind over matter**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE7eJpIGsKY audio
7. marooned**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et-37Rlbuac audio
8. master plan**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GvvHwP6wug audio
9. she got body, she got soul***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEzu2i4zds4 video
10.the roughest game in the world***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIK3euRaLqs audio
11.abu dhabi**
12.betty**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xPxuy0-0A live
13.frenzy**
14.semi-detached**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69zMOoCg1...C3E022D197 audio
15.carried away**
16.horse to water***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI6gnX1Ma3g audio

3s=8
2s=8
1s=0

rating: 2.5

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "true colours" 1980.

i guess this is the album that made Split Enz a household name here in Australia, it reached #1 on the album charts, as did I Got You on the singles charts, the single made the Canadian top20, and also charted across Europe and in the US.
above are the six album covers that housed the vinyl album(yes, i have all six!),also the vinyl record was released in a limited edition with the vinyl on both sides being etched by laser to create wierd and wonderful lighting effects as it plays on your stereo. only two other albums have ever been laser etched: Styx released one around the same time, and the Superman movie soundtrack...im not sure as to the reason why record companies stopped doing it after theses three album as the sound quality is not affected by laser treatment, and by all accounts was cheaper to produce than picture discs.
back to the album...
debt collectors after the band for unpaid bills, their studio and tapes burn down...it couldnt get much worse but out of the stress comes some good....and this album is the result of those obsticles!
the vinyl has eleven tracks, the cd remastered version has thirteen...from the hectic chaotic sounds of 'shark attack' and 'whats the matter with you',through the pop of 'i got you' and 'nobody takes me seriously', to the classic Tim ballad 'i hope i never' and back through every genre the Finns have used over the years is piled into one hell of a good album, not their best effort, but certainly not far off it.
theres also two instrumentals on here, they only get "*" each, as you all know i am not a fan of instrumentals on the whole, and these two do not make me change my mind.
the album is well written, tightly played and produced brilliantly to give these Kiwis their most complete sounding album to date, their biggest selling single and album.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. shark attack***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU_q_d7xOHw&feature=fvsr live
2. i got you***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQlBfxh4Us video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZR_q7Bd3aw live
3. what's the matter with you***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uuTpUEBq...re=related audio
4. double happy*
5. i wouldnt dream of it***
6. i hope i never***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8MkVzFhAeM video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH8YDL1HG...re=related live
7. nobody takes me seriously***
8. missing person**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyoyGQ1PjOQ above two tracks 'live'
9. poor boy***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9pIdHwOf...re=related audio
10.how can i trust her**
11.the choral sea*
12.things**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7aTlxgfATI video
13.two of a kind*

3s=7
2s=3
1s=3

rating: 2.4

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "corroboree" 1981.

Corroboree is the Australian Aborigine word for "singing: gathering:", the Maori name for the same thing is "waiata".
the original plan was to use the original indigineous dialect from each country the album was to released in to be the title of the album, somewhere along the way the plan was scrapped, New Zealand kept its title "waiata", the rest of the world got "corroboree". there are a few "blue and grey" coloured covers out there of the Waiata version, very hard to get though, as is the Waiata album in general.
the Enz toured the world after the success of True Colours to great reviews...even in the US.
pumped by the reviews and positive feedback from rock God Paul McCartney...one of the Finn Brother's idols, they quickly went back into the studio and created this very good album allbeit using the same formula as True Colours. although still not getting the quantity of songs on the album as brother Tim, Neil proving he is a force to be reckoned with had the albums two hit singles (history never repeats & one step ahead),
with History also making the charts in many European countries and in Nth America. the album became the Enz second #1 album in Australia and like True Colours the previous year was the biggest seller of the year, also taking out numerous awards at the australian Music Awards, including best album,highest selling album,best single,best video,best songwriters.
by now Tim Finn was showing signs of stress which led to excessive drinking and major depression, unable to cope with being successful he managed to get through 1981/82 tours with the help of perscription drugs and alcohol.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. hard act to follow***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGTSUeyt-nY audio
2. history never repeats***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz1aSjZ1mIQ live 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbXcfGOz6...re=related live 1981
3. i dont wanna dance***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7O2JSS7G3w live
4. one step ahead***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM61HvNI-Nk&feature=fvst video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv5XBENPzf8 live
5. walking through the ruins**
6. wail**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeIyuG2F4IA audio...cool instrumental!
7. iris**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aokcWRH3lyo audio
8. clumsy**
9. ghost girl**
10.ships**
11.albert of india*
12.in the wars**

3s=4
2s=7
1s=1

rating: 2.2

[CRAZY-HORSE]

SPLIT ENZ "time and tide" 1982.

after the personal problems Tim faced over the preceeding two years, this one became his swansong with Split Enz and although a lot of his songs to date are 'dark and mtsterious', they come no darker than "dirty creature" from this album...a song about being in deep depression and the struggle to emerge through the other side. (IMO not many artists who have tried to capture the feeling of this afliction have done so, so effectively...Lennon/Neil Young have done it well as has Eminem "not afraid' and Paul Weller "5th season").
the tried and true formula of the previous two albums is again replicated here, but done better than 'corroboree'.
the album, and in particular one track "six months in a leaky boat" did cause a bit of controversy in the UK...it was banned at the time because of the ongoing Falkland Islands war involving the UK which is a shame as it is one of the best tracks Tim has ever written, its pretty much an Irish folksong type tune, as is "haul away" in which Tim takes an autobiographical look back on his life thus so far.
elsewhere we see Neil Finn further developing the sound that would eventually become the staple sound for his supergroup Crowded House in the track "giant heartbeat.Hello Sandy Allen is a tribute to 'the worlds tallest woman' at the time who Neil befriended back in 1979 in the US.
again, this album reached the top of the charts here in Oz(making it three in a row,the only other artist up to that point to achieve that feat was The Beatles) and recieved numerous awards at the end of the year.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1. dirty creature***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SEe41MZu...03B85CD73A live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-k3QDTWrSg video
2. giant heartbeat**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1CZ8EZ97PE audio
3. hello sandy allen**
4. never ceases to amaze me***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNWQDnoHbdA video
5. lost for words***
6. small world**
7. take a walk**
8. pioneer/six months in a leaky boat***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yav3C4nKAY video
9. haul away***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aZ54yEZOTI audio
10.log cabin fever*
11.make sense of it**

3s=5
2s=5
1s=1

rating: 2.4