True Colours (1980)
True Colours is the fifth studio album by Split Enz and their first most commercial sounding record. This album showcases the band's eclectic and experimental art-rock musical style blended together with elements of new wave and pop. It is unlike anything the group has released up until this point and it earns the Enz their fourth entry to the NSA club.
The album opens with the infectious and instantly recognizable hit single "I Got You." Arguably the band's most well-known song, it is a new wave pop masterpiece. My favorite from the album and the most timeless of the bunch. Following this, the album takes listeners on a sonic journey back to their quirky roots, but this time blended masterfully with their new shorter pop-rock sound.
“Shark Attack" envokes images of cartoon sharks causing all sorts of mayhem on this whimsically fun tune. Right after that is where the Enz channel their inner Beatles with “What's the Matter with You". A tight, Beatlesque styled pop-rock song done with their best Lennon/McCartney vocal style. Let’s not forget about that fantastic 60’s keyboard solo in the middle. One of the standout tracks on the album is the ballad "I Hope I Never.” Finn's tender and emotive vocals, accompanied by delicate piano and atmospheric synths, create an introspective song that eventually became my fathers first impression of the band.
Another highlight of the album is the one of a kind “Poor Boy." Split Enz create a dreamy soundscape by mastering the space around the song. An eerie piano accompaniment, haunting vocals and a climactic finish all help make “Poor Boy” standout as one of the strongest on the album.
Throughout the album, Split Enz's musicianship is outstanding. The intricate and layered arrangements, featuring a wide array of instruments, showcase the band's obvious talent. The inventive use of keyboards, guitars, and percussion adds depth and texture to the songs in a way I haven’t heard from other bands from this time.
True Colours by Split Enz is a true gem in the band's discography. It is their masterpiece and it blends infectious pop melodies with artful experimentation very well. The album's eclectic and diverse range of songs, coupled with the band's determination to push themselves creatively, creates a totally unique and commercially acceptable record. Hats off to the Enz!
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Highlight Songs:
I Got You
What’s The Matter With You
Poor Boy
Shark Attack
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Without a doubt worth owning! True Colours can be loved and appreciated by anybody and everybody thanks to its more commercial pop-rock appeal. There is plenty to love on this record and pretty much nothing to dislike. This is it.
There are also 13 total different color variations of this record on vinyl. One day you can be cool like me and own them all.
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Overall Rating:
5 Stars
