With both founding members Tim Finn and Phil Judd gone from the band, Finn's brother Neil was left standing at a crossroads. Take Split Enz into the future, or say goodbye. He opted for the latter, uncomfortable with the thought of continuing on without either founder at the helm. He decided that 1984's aptly titled, See Ya 'Round, would be the end of the road for the band.
There was just one problem. Neil didn't have enough material. He only had an EP worth of demos. As such, while many would ultimately make their way to the album, the remaining band members would be leaned on to provide their own experimental contributions.
Despite this, Split Enz would exit on a high note. The album not only received a certified platinum status in New Zealand, but after a popular appearance on Countdown, and a beckoning call for Tim Finn to return for one last time, the group would embark on a proper farewell tour. Truly and enz of an era.
So, how does See Ya 'Round stack up as a final entry in the book of Enz? Was it a noteworthy finally? A disappointing disaster as A&E predicted it would be?
Well, let's break this down. I appreciate the 1975 through 1976 Tim Finn and Phil Judd era of Split Enz. This iteration of the band could be called its original vision. One that was progressive rock, unique, quirky at times, and with a stage presence that was hard to match at the time.
Then you have 1977 through 1982, which was the Tim Finn and Neil Finn age. This was when Split Enz transitioned their sound to new wave, making their breakthrough, and garnering their biggest success. They stumbled accidentally into a radio friendly sound, while also detouring here and there back to the band's progressive rock and quirky roots, though usually in instrumental form.
You then have the final years, 1983 to 1984. Yes, Tim Finn was around for 1983, but was more so interested in his own solo career. This is where Neil stepped up to the front, took leadership of the band, ushering in a very 80's pop sound with it, steering the group more so towards mainstream music.
This is where See Ya 'Round lingers. It wants to produce radio friendly songs, while often missing the mark with actual hits. However, what you do get is a very solidly crafted album with good music. Its not perfect, but it's worthy of listening to. It's Split Enz on the way out, and knowing they're not going to be around after this. They're trying to say goodbye, while at the same time trying to give the audience one more show, so to speak.
Neil Finn and Paul Hester would go on to form the Mullanes with bassist Nick Seymour. By 1985, they would change their name to a band you may have heard of, Crowded House. However, the story was far from over for Split Enz. Over the years they have continued to reunite for tours, with their most resent occurring in 2009. They also continue to have live albums and compilations released. Additionally, after lengthy pressure from their fanclub, Frenz of the Enz, fans also received the long awaited Rootin Tootin' Luton tapes, a two disc set chock full of demos recorded by the band in 1978.
Nothing lasts forever, and all good things must end. So, it is with See Ya 'Round that we bid farewell to Split Enz. If nothing else, they got to take a bow on their own terms, and say goodbye the way they wanted to. They left the crowd wanting more, returned here and there to give it to them, but then gracefully stepped aside again.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS May 22, 1982 |
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