See Ya’ Round (1984)
See Ya' Round, the final LP by Split Enz, presents itself as a departure from the band's signature sound, while still retaining hints of familiarity with their trademark quirks. This album, though not released anywhere but Australia, New Zealand and Canada, is a testament to Neil Finn's remarkable talent and serves as an excellent swan song for the group.
See Ya' Round is incredibly charming, with songs that possess a unique quality drawing in the listener. It showcases a different side of Split Enz, exploring new musical territories and experimenting with fresh sounds. The album truly shines right off the bat with the energetic track "Breakin’ My Back." It's sheer fun with great synth accents. Following that is an early version of the soon-to-be Crowded House hit, "I Walk Away," which is more electric and rock-oriented. I find myself debating which version I prefer.
"Doctor Love" comes next and is nothing short of dynamic, with a serious yet catchy feel that is fantastic. Similar praises can be said about "One Mouth Is Fed," with its rich sound, percussive accents and wonderful melodies. "Years Go By" is unnecessarily good, striking a great balance between introspective ballad-like energy and electrifying rock.
Closing the first half of the album is "Voices," which is simply gorgeous. Side two takes a slightly eccentric turn in typical Split Enz fashion. The instrumental "The Lost Cat" is a haunting composition that sounds like a mid-80s response to The Alan Parsons Project's "Tales of Imagination and Mystery." It wouldn't be out of place on a Halloween playlist. So make sure to add it to yours!
Following that is "Adz," which will undoubtedly receive endless replays from me. It features a driving bassline, amazing guitar and keyboard work, and a five-star finale, making it one of my favorites on the album. The record then returns to the vibes of the first half with "This Is Massive," an upbeat rocker that also carries an innuendo-like quality. It's all good fun!
"Kia Kaha" has a more atmospheric, slightly upbeat feel to it. While the chorus doesn't diverge too far from the verses, it remains pleasant to the ears. However, the album does have one weakness in the somewhat polarizing track "Ninnie Knees Up." It harkens back to early experimental, weird, and quirky Split Enz, thanks to Noel Crombie. It can be safely skipped, even for the Enz completists.
It is regrettable that See Ya' Round did not receive a global release, as its quality and artistic merit deserve a wider audience. Nevertheless, fans of Split Enz and Neil Finn will undoubtedly appreciate this final offering. See Ya' Round may deviate from Split Enz's established sound, but it compensates with its undeniable charm. This record represents a great farewell for the band.
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Highlight Songs:
Breakin’ My Back
Adz
One Mouth is Fed
Doctor Love
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
You unfortunately cannot stream this album, but even if you could, I’d encourage you to blindly buy it. It’s that good. If you can stumble upon a copy of this album or if you can find one online, it is so worth owning.
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Overall Rating:
4.5 Stars
