Split Enz Albums (12)
'Extravagenza'
Release Date 8/2/2005
Tracks 23
Label Liberation Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A double live album with tracks from the farewell Enz with a Bang tour and a few from the 1982 Time and Tide tour. Rather than just focusing on the hit singles, the album revives old album favorites with new live arrangements. Mainly a gift for the fans, this album is a showcase for the band at its crowd-pleasing best. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With Tim Finn departing for a solo career, Neil Finn takes charge of the aging band for their final studio album. While not living up to the band's previous brilliance, songs such as "Years Go By," "One Mouth Is Fed," and an early version of "I Walk Away" are delightful Finn compositions. Side two features songs written by each of the remaining members. Released only in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Recorded live during the band's 20th anniversary tour of New Zealand in March 1993, Anniversary serves mainly as a souvenir for longtime fans. There are some interesting song choices, such as the never-before-released "Best Friend" and the rarely heard first single "Split Ends," but the band seems to lack the energy of their prime. Additionally, due to a recording problem that improperly miked the audience, canned applause and cheering had to be added on the album, leaving an artificial feel. Nevertheless, fans will delight in this release if only for the rare inspired moments. Living Enz is still a better representation of the band's live shows. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Although often thought of as a transitional album, Frenzy shows the band in top form. Produced in England on a diminished budget, the album showcases pure pop with a hungry edge. "I See Red," added after the initial pressing, became a moderate hit in Australia and New Zealand, allowing the band the financial freedom to follow up with the blockbuster True Colours in 1980. Stripped of the earlier excesses, the album hints at the direction the band would take in the '80s while capturing a rare, rougher side to their music. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
'Conflicting Emotions'
Release Date 1/1/1983
Tracks 10
Label Mushroom
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The distraction of a Tim Finn solo project (1983's Escapade) may have robbed Split Enz of the creative momentum produced by Time & Tide; Tim obviously spent much of his energy on that project, leaving him with a minority of songwriting credits for the first time since taking leadership of the band...There's a strong batch of songs from Neil, which includes the achingly beautiful love song "Message to My Girl" and the contemplative "Our Day," which intimates the thoughts of the soon-to-be father...A misguided overreliance on drum machines and generally heavy-handed production ultimately date a solid album. The telling title track, as well as the album closer, "Bon Voyage," hinted at Tim Finn's imminent departure from the band. Initial pressings of the album in New Zealand included a bonus 12" of "Kia Kaha" and "Parasite" -- songs unavailable elsewhere until the release of the box sets. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Time and Tide stands as Split Enz's creative peak and most fully realized effort. On previous albums, the band remained distant and removed, only revealing what little they did between the lines; for Time and Tide, Tim and Neil Finn, while still clearly standing as outsiders, opened up, giving a rare glimpse at their feelings and thought processes. Tim exorcised demons and fears in the funky workout of "Dirty Creature," experienced a joyful communion with nature in "Never Ceases to Amaze Me," outlined a global view in "Small World," and explored ancient folk music with "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" and "Haul Away," an autobiographical sea shanty. Neil, on the other hand, gave darkly evocative yet slightly more abstract accounts in "Giant Heartbeat," "Take a Walk," and the claustrophobic "Log Cabin Fever" while still producing an infectious rocker in "Hello Sandy Allen." In addition to the peaks in songwriting, the Enz never sounded tighter as a band, with lean, tasteful arrangements. The result is a timeless, thoroughly consistent album and the high point of the Enz catalog. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Because of the hurried schedule of newfound international success, the follow-up to True Colours suffered. Waiata follows much of the same formula of its predecessor, though in a slightly darker form that often lacks the punch that made True Colours great. Despite a couple of classic singles -- "One Step Ahead" and "History Never Repeats" -- and a handful of other inspired tracks, the album marks the band's first lateral move. "Waiata" is the Maori word for "party" (the album was given the aboriginal party title, Corroboree, in Australia). Following in the trend of True Colours, A&M issued three different colored covers for the worldwide release. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Split Enz found their place in new wave with True Colours, shedding the eccentricities and excesses of their past in favor of bright, highly memorable, Beatlesque pop. The album also marked Neil Finn's emergence as a great songcraftsman -- his infectious "I Got You" helped to push the album and the band to international success. Both the single and the album stand as high points of the new wave era. As part of its marketing, the album was released in several different-colored covers with laser-etched vinyl. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Dizrythmia marks a change not only in personnel (half of the band had been replaced) but also musically and lyrically. With Tim Finn taking over the band, gone almost entirely are the neo-classical arrangements and abstract imagery in favor of a more direct approach that draws heavily from British Invasion-era pop as well as incorporating British music hall and straight-ahead rock & roll. And though the band is still hiding behind hair, colorful costumes, and the occasional swirl of carnival sounds, beneath it all Finn makes his most personal statements to date, showing his optimism and determination for the band's future while also revealing his uncertainty and fears. Most of the songs deal with relationships and, more specifically, his parting of ways with former collaborator and close friend Phil Judd. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
