By GRAHAM REID
Twenty-five years ago an Auckland art-school band fronted by a guy from Te Awamutu released their debut album. And changed the landscape of popular music in New Zealand.
From the cover in, the Split Enz debut album Mental Notes signalled something unique in New Zealand rock music.
With their manic stage presence — notably the jerky body movements and frenzied attack of frontman Tim Finn — and bizarre Dada-style costumes designed by percussionist and spoons player Noel Crombie, the Enz were the most eye-catching band of a very colourful, eyeshadowed era.
But when the world beckoned they found themselves in London as punk rock broke and the British media, baffled by their bizarre appearance, relegated them to the category of the redundant art-rock.
They were cruelly undervalued and although their music seldom flagged, relentless touring and occasional disappointing album sales took their toll.
There were line-up changes (18-year-old Neil Finn joining in 1977) but the body of work they created stands as singular in rock, peaking in 1980 with the pop-smart True Colours album.
Eventually Tim left for a solo career. The group staggered on before calling it a day with the See Ya Round album (1984). Neil formed Crowded House ... but that's another story.
This extraordinary landmark debut album is in any intelligent collection of New Zealand rock. Some of Crombie's stage outfits are in a Melbourne costume museum; others, plus the original cover art of Mental Notes by Phil Judd (Enz guitarist), is part of Te Papa's ever-changing Parade exhibition.
They are not on permanent display at present. We wonder if they will be seen much when the changes are wrought. They deserve to be.
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