HISTORY NEVER REPEATS: THE BEST OF SPLIT ENZ (INTERNATIONAL VERSION)

"History Never Repeats: the international version is a condensed version of the Australian 2 CD 30th Anniversary compilation of the same name. "Spellbound" still remains the definitive compilation of the band, however as a taster of what the band offered in terms of great music, specifically their most endearing popular singles, this 1 CD version sold to the international market has some great merits.

Naturally one CD is not sufficient to capture the ultimate of the NZ/Aus band, but the best Enz tracks are here. Namely the quintessential tracks included are: History Never Repeats, Dirty Creature, I See Red, I Got You, One Step Ahead, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, Poor Boy, I Hope I Never, and Message to My Girl. It is a mystery why the not so well known tracks Hard Act to Follow and What's the Matter with You were included. I cannot recommend these over the likes of Shark Attack or Semi Detached. I mention Semi Detached, even though it is not a well known track by any standards, because it is certainly the most progressive track with its lengthy bizarre, off kilter rhythmic structure and overall sound. There is not much prog in this stripped down compilation at all, even the beginning intro orchestration of 6 Months... is excised.

This compilation is a condensed version of the better Australian version, it doesn't feature their early prog related tracks from the first 3 proggier albums, focusing rather on the more commercial side of Enz. I can only recommend this if you are desperate to hear what they sound like, but you are far better advised to grab hold of "Spellbound" which showcases the progressive side of the band.