Rocktrospectiva: Split Enz's Final Album "See Ya 'Round" Turns 40

 

Released on 22 November 1984 "See Ya 'Round" was the 10th., and final album by New Zealand's prime band Split Enz, released after departure of founding member Tim Finn in order to focused on his solo career, remaining songwriter, his brother Neil, took the direction although he was a little bit keen to take control and leading his older brother's band, after this, the band announced that this would be their final album. 

 

The album spawned two singles "I Walk Away", & "One Mouth Is Fed", with Tim Finn departing for a solo career, Neil Finn takes charge of the aging band for their final studio album. While not living up to the band's previous brilliance, songs such as "Years Go By," "One Mouth Is Fed," and an early version of "I Walk Away" are amongst delightful Finn compositions. Side two features songs written by each of the remaining members. Curiosuly, the album was released only in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. 

 

Neil Finn's demos from this era included an early version of the future Crowded House hit, "Something So Strong" which was at this point a ballad, as well as prototypes for "I Walk Away" known as "Love and Success" and "Your Inspiration", and "Can't Carry On". 

 

The album's lead single, the funny "I Walk Away," had a low-budget video clip which features the band protruding their faces through theatrical costume cut-outs, much like on the artwork of the album. Neither single nor album were released in the United States, because after most copies of 1983's Conflicting Emotions ended up in bargain bins, their American label A&M would not risk another potential Split Enz failure and dropped them from the roster, and in some way this was marking the beginning of the end for the band.

 

The single "I Walk Away" was later re-recorded with a different verse, and re-released in America issue of the first Crowded House album, as it was something new to American audiences. Originally intended as a goodbye to the Enz, key parts of the song were rewritten for the Crowded House album, supposedly to reflect Neil's uncertainty of venturing away from the security of the Enz. 

 

See Ya 'Round was initially released only in Australia and New Zealand, charting at #29 and #5, respectively. A later release in Canada featured a grey border on the cover instead of an orange one.

 

As a farewell from the band and after an appearance on Countdown and the release of "One Mouth Is Fed" as a follow-up single, the band decided to end with a proper goodbye and beckoned Tim Finn back for one final "Enz With a Bang" tour. It is on this tour that Neil met future Crowded House bassist and collaborator, Nick Seymour. 

 

See Ya' Round Track List:

 

1. Breaking' My Back

2. I Walk Away

3. Doctor Love

4. One Mouth Is Fed

5. Years Go By

6. Voices

7. The Lost Car

8. Adz

9. This Is Massive

10. Kia Kaha (Ever Be Strong)

11. Ninnie Knees Up