MENTAL NOTES

Ok. This is probably the best place to start if you are interested in the early Split Enz sound before they went pop. Split Enz at this point comprised of some quite eccentric and colourful individuals (considering this is NZ in the 70s - ie dull). This is certainly Enz most proggy, you can hear similaritys to Roxy Music, a few Jethro Tull instrumentals scattered here and there, personally I think itrs Eddie Rayner's keys that really shine here.> In terms of the songs, Walking down the Road is an excellent mini epic with an enthusiasm that some young talented people have on their debut. Tim Finns voice is very theatrical. Under the wheel is a more darker piece and with Phil Judd's twisted vocals will make you think of Comus and Family Eddie's keys here add a great sinister and yet positive at the same time, aided by Wilkinsons guitar.A song with quite a bit of drama in it.> Amy is a neat prog pop song, that contrasts with the previous track with a kind of kiwi feel to it, and a neat little Rayner solo.> Stranger than Fiction is considered a classic, Quite an ambient piece, yet very theatrical when performed on stage, with again excellent work by Eddie Rayner.> Time for a change has excellent Hackett sinfluenced guitar a nice emotional piece, probably the most normal song on the album.> Titus has something to do with the Gormengast trilogy I believe, aided with Tim Finns dramatic singing another excellent song, with the line "sombody must be killing me" I think is a great line and nice classical piano workout by Eddie Raynor, Rob Gillies guest on this pice with his brass> Maybe is a Beatlesque inflected song with future member Rob Gillies doing trumpets in this piece as well, nice and upbeat after the dramtic piece before it.> Spellbound is another classic partially because of the unique maori style of strumming perhaps the only time that has ever occured in a prog song.> Mental notes is a shortrocking Beatlesesque ending that infinately repeated the lines 'Mental Notes' on the orginal vinyl on a loop.>

This album certainly has some weird and at times, a little bit disturbing soundiong, sounding music especially with Phil Judd's singing adds a kind of darkness to it, but this is arguably Enz finest moment and certainly thier most prog sounding, and will convince you that Enz were a prog band. A good addition to your collection, that will show you that their was a least a little bit of prog in NZ.