Retro Spins: Split Enz - True Colours

I was in a phase where I was all about recreating the MTV glory days, buying up music video related DVD's, and scouring the internet for what were considered iconic, revolutionary, or simply the best videos from artists and bands. This is where I came across Split Enz. I'd heard about them in passing, and even owned a greatest hits from them, which to date I still haven't listened to, when I came across My Mistake. As I watched the video on Youtube, I was immediately taken in by the look, feel, and sound of it all. This was heavily reminiscent of Oingo Boingo, but years before there was a Boingo. I was intrigued, and after digging through more videos, I was hooked.

I made a list of their albums based on the band's Wiki page, and followed this up by going to Discogs to track them down. Ouch, was my initial reaction. CD's from Split Enz were expensive. I'm talking $30.00 to $60.00 each, and mind you that was in used condition. While I added all the albums to my want list, I immediately put the mission on hold. I simply was not interested at the time in dropping the $300.00 plus it would cost me to get the bands ten studio albums. Further, with original CD's only released in Australia, this meant that a lot of my purchases would have to be made overseas, resulting in excessive shipping costs, or in the rare chance a US seller had them, pay an upcharge for the "convenience".

Fast forward to several months later. I was perusing ebay, and randomly came across a couple CD's from the band that were running at auction in the pressings I wanted. There were no bids, and the opening asking amount was rather low, in comparison to buy it now prices, so I made the minimum bid, and went about my business. Days later, I got a notice staying, "You won, pay for your purchases." Neat! I made the payments, got the albums, and was happy.

Oh, if only that last part were true. What this did was open the flood gates.

Within hours, I was back on ebay and Discogs perusing, nay, frantically searching for the remaining albums. Well, needless to say, October 4, 2024, turned into the day that I bought every studio album from Split Enz, 1975 - 1984. For those who know me, and my tastes for collecting music, you know it is very rare that I want something released before 1980, and after 1989. For me to want these albums from 1975 to 1979 really cemented in my mind just how much I was digging this band from my Youtube views.

Despite this, I'm going to jump right into the middle, skipping everything from the 70's, and launching my Retro Spin with 1980's True Colours. Musically, it was a drastic change in the band's style of progressive rock. Rather, Colours leaned heavy into new wave, and with it, split their fan base. The members themselves admitted to doing so, and saw it reflected in the attendance of their live shows, where the crowds were now filled with teenage girls.

For better or worse to the fans, the changes in style were overall well received, garnering the group their first platinum record, and first, and only, Billboard chart topper, I Got You. Though it would serve as their breakthrough album, the single would only peak at 53.

Initially, the album was launched with four different variations of colors. However, soon thereafter, four more variations would be added, and to date, even more. Below is an example of all the different versions I've been able to identify. Are there more? I don't know.

So many different color varieties available!

Now, I will admit, despite True Colours being my first Retro Spin, it's not the first Split Enz album I listened to from start to finish. That honor goes to Second Thoughts, the groups sophomore release from 1976. Why that one? Well, simple. It's one that I won in my bid off ebay, and the first I recieved.

Firing up True Colours, I hoped that it would be familiar to the progressive rock, weirdish sounding introduction I got from Second Thoughts. However, at the same time, knowing full well it was considered new wave, I didn't set myself up with unrealistic expectations. This turned out to be a good idea.

While it's definitely a new wave album, there are times where it actually has a sixties vibe to it, sounding almost like The Doors. This was particularly noticeable with The Matter With You, AKA track three. However, there was still that sprinkling of quirkiness parallel to Oingo Boingo, and Enz earlier works. This was more so prevalent in the two instrumental tracks, Double Happy, and The Choral Sea.

Though it definitely leans more so into the pop aspect, what it doesn't necessarily do is deliver what we'll call Top Forty Hits. Granted, this didn't deter me from enjoying what I heard. In addition to the noted tracks above, I also ended up grabbing Nobody Takes Me Seriously, and Poor Boy for my shuffle list. Overall, I was pleased, and eager to hear more.

Split Enz would go on to consecutively release one album all the way through 1984. However, by their final album, See Ya 'Round, both original founding members, Tim Finn and Phil Judd had already departed. Brother Neil Finn, who joined after Judd left in 1976, would decide it wasn't desirable to continue in a band that the founders had departed from. Thus, Split Enz met their enz, but, we'll go into that more as we continue our Retro Spins journey through the band.

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