Before Dunedin's the Chills (1980-), there was Auckland's Split Enz (1972-1985).Perhaps I should have said, in my previous post, that New Zealand pop music neophytes should begin with them. I still think the former outfit's "Pink Frost" is as fine a place to start as any, but Split Enz released a number of great new wave/power pop/art rock numbers, like "I Got You," "Message to My Girl," and the incomparable "Six Months in a Leaky Boat."
On the 1981 track below, possibly their best, Neil Finn, second from left, sings lead, instead of brother Tim, center, and anticipates his more radio-ready work with Crowded House (1985-1996).
Endnote: A few YouTube users have noted that the video above, in addition to other versions posted to the site, seems sped up. They're right. Not sure what's up with that, but Neil's voice isn't as high on record. Still, it sounds good to me. Split Enz image from the AMG.
2 comments:
The Enz were not bad, but I think Crowded House were better,and Bic Runga is the best of your Kiwi musicians.
Oh, and how can I forget Dave Dobyns?
Thanks for your comment. My favorite NZ artists include the Chills, Split Enz, the Clean, the Tall Dwarfs, the Verlaines, the Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, and Garageland. David Kilgour and Chris Knox have also released some fine solo material. After the first album, Crowded House got too slick for my tastes.
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