Customer Reviews

True Colours

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4 star:		(6)
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It was two songs from this album that made me a Split Enz fan: "I Hope I Never" and "I Got You." I had heard "I Got You" for years, but I never connected it with Neil Finn. At one time, many years ago, the song was played in the background of a cafe scene in an episode of "The Restless Years" (Australian soap opera). It was also played in "Coronation Street". Sam Neill also sings a bit of it in the film "Death in Brunswick".

"True Colours" was the album that cracked it for Split Enz, after years of trial, tribulation, and criticism for being too weird. This album was completely different from their previous releases, which featured longer, less commercial offerings. Even the image of the band had changed. Prior to 1980, the band wore bizarre costumes, weird hairdo's, and faces covered in make-up. Not surprisingly, the band never attracted any groupies. I don't know if it's true, but apparently Neil said: "We never got girls coming backstage, just boys with weird haircuts and problems at home."

In terms of music, critics likened "True Colours" to a debut album. The music certainly was a world away from songs like "The Woman Who Loves You" and "Nightmare Stampede". I like the instrumental of "The Choral Sea", it's kind of futuristic and machine-like. I also like the zany metaphors in "Shark Attack". "Poor Boy" was haunting.

One of Tim Finn's vocals complained "nobody takes me seriously". "True Colours" was the album that finally made people take Split Enz seriously.

Tracks 7 thru 11 are 5 of the best pop songs ever recorded. Those songs are "Nobody Takes Me Seriously", "Missing Person," "Poor Boy", "How Can I Resist Her," and The Choral Sea". Oh, and by the way, the 2 best instrumental songs ever recorded are "The Choral Sea" and "Double Happy". I'm sorry that I let this album sit more on my shelf rather than on my turntable as a kid since I tended to listen more to Ultravox, Japan and Simple Minds. However, I picked this one up recently on CD and have, with my more mature tastes, found that it surpasses much of what came out during that time. I can compare it in nature to such great power pop icons as Elvis Costello or XTC when they were producing interesting power pop records.

This album ranks as one of the best put out by the Enz. All of their albums are unique. This is a album of infectuous pop/rock songs. From the haunting I Hope I Never to the standout energy of I Got You. Having had the amazing privilege of being able to see this band live in Invercargill, New Zealand on 3 separate ocassions in their early days (ie 1975 - 1978) I would point out that what comes across on this album and all other albums of there's is only a small sample of the incredible talent within the Enz. All their other albums are also a must.

For pure Pop pleasure this album just can't be beat. Everybody knows 'I Got You' but what about the manic fun of 'Shark Attack', the Schoolboy indignity of 'What's the matter with you' the slushy sentimentality of 'I Hope I Never', the hilariously self-pitying 'Nobody Takes me Seriously' the beautifully smooth and melancholy heartbreak of 'Missing Person' & the utterly fantastic instrumental ending of 'The Choral Sea'. Even though I have the best of Split Enz 'Spellbound' on CD I still need to grab this CD soon just for the 5 tracks missing off the greatest hits compilation, that's how good it is. For now I'm relying on my laser etched vinyl copy (ooh! Laser etched!). This album works on its own merits. It's a beautifully cohesive album. Beautifully observed Pop lyrics with wonderful sweeping synths and lovely piano work from Eddie Rayner. I saw them live in London back in 81 & it was one of the top 5 live concerts I ever saw in my life. These guys could deliver and this album is their opus. Time & Tide coming in 2nd I'd say. To end with, if you want to feel good this disc/cd makes a great pick-me-up!

Although many people regard `Time & Tide' as Split Enz's finest album, `True Colours' was their biggest hit and I still find it the most fun to listen to. The three Neil Finn compositions (`What's The Matter With You', `Missing Person', and the classic `I Got You') are perfect pop/rock. Tim Finn's `Shark Attack', `I Wouldn't Dream of It', `Nobody Takes Me Seriously', and `How Can I Resist Her' (great guitar solo by Neil on this one!) are terrific too, although his two slower numbers, `I Hope I Never' and `Poor Boy', pack less punch than the rest of the album as far as I'm concerned. The two groovy instrumentals `Double Happy' and `The Choral Sea' complement the songs nicely, and it all adds up to one of my all-time favorite albums.

The first time I heard - and saw -- "I Got You" was when I was in the 9th grade before MTV. Every Friday night, PBS would show 30 minutes of music videos on a program that I cant recall the name of. However, Split Enz "I Got You" was shown perhaps 6 Fridays in-a-row and it was awesome. At a time when I was just getting turned on to the likes of Devo, Kraftwerk, Misex, et.al., this song and group was transforming and just plain cool to a 14 year old kid. A lot of fun and so many great memories.

Late in 1980, at the age of 12, I was captivated by a song I heard on the radio called "I Got You" (perhaps you've heard it?). Needless to say, this was my must-have Christmas record, and it blew me away. Now that I own the entire Split Enz catalogue, I still consider this to be their greatest pop achievement. The perfect blend of power pop, fantastic synth instrumentals and wistful ballads. To be fair, nearly everything Enz released is worth owning, but this is THE place to start. Do yourself a favor and pass on the shoddy "History Never Repeats" compilation.

This odd blend of Nu Wave and quirkiness made this album, fun, memorable and fun to sing and jerk to. It was one of my favorite 80's albums and to this day, is a great one for me!

Split Enz is certainly a major group that influenced many later artist. True Colours the album was also innovative. The original LP featured a laser etched design which looked cool on the turntable! The music is quite good. Tunes such as Shark Attack, I Got You, Double Happy, are clear progressive new wave, and a look at music, to at least where many thought is was headed in the 1980's. True Colours is a true gem!

As good as their early material was, it was also largely uncommercial. The Enz follow up 1979's transitional "Frenzy" with a fine slice of new wave pop-rock. This is the first album where Neil Finn emerges as a lead singer and songwriter. There is much more to this album than their most famous hit, I Got You.