TRUE COLOURS

Keep in mind, all what follows below is purely my own opinion. You may agree or disagree with my views.

More pure pop perfection' for half of the album at least. Some songs sound like generic pop that fails to get your attention and engage your senses.

Star Tracks: Shark Attack, What's the Matter With You, The Choral Sea

Track by Track Review

1: I got you:

It's a catchy track, and the production on it is very tight. For example, the verses have a haunting synth that blends in well with the simple guitar riffs and Neil's short but sweet lines of lyrics. 'I got you' and that's all i want'. This track is probably everyone's introduction into the band, and as mentioned above, the production of course led to this song being the most popular Split Enz song. The chorus is so catchy too. 'I don't know why sometimes I get frightened' is a perfect hook. In this album, whenever there are synth solos, Split Enz does them well. And I can't stop loving the short solo in the midsection of this song. It's like an upbeat happy break in between the haunting melodies offered in this track. The track is a bit too simple in my tastes, compared to Enz's future brilliant tunes.

2: Shark Attack

The synths are strong with this one. I love all the synth solos throughout the song, and also when the Finn brothers come in hard with 'SHAAARK ATTACK'! With the craziness and zany nature of this song, you really feel like you are trying to outrun a shark in the sea. The quirky and ever changing synths to me represent the crashing waves of the sea, as you are trying to swim through the waves to escape the mad shark!! 'SHAAARK ATTACK!'.

3: What's the Matter With you

I love that this song comes next. You start off with the crazy and all over the place 'Shark 'Attack, then this song comes in with more serious and straightforward pop. However, this song is a real hard hitter. The song is pretty simple in terms of pop standards, but the simplicity of the music combined with Neils provoking and hard hitting lyrics overtop makes this track shine. Like you are really wondering 'What's the matter with you'?????? I don't know why, but the synth in the background of the verses always gets me, and Neil delivers some great vocal tone changes in his verses. Great song. Really gives pop a good name.

4: Double Happy

So... this instrumental has some nice melodies. The chorus part is so quirky and catches my attention. Otherwise this song to me is just an average instrumental song. However it really ties in with the previous songs. The synths are pop perfection as always' however we need Neil or Tim's vocals overtop!

5: I Wouldn't Dream Of It

This song is a bit quieter and a bit haunting, like 'I Got You'. However it doesn't sound nearly as catchy to me as our beloved Split Enz hit does. I must say, this song has a real flow to it, with the simple melodies and synths and the flowing lyrics of 'I wouldn't dream of it, I wouldn't dream of it, I wouldn't dream of it'. This is where I personally feel the album starts to go on a downward spiral, saved only by a couple of tracks to come.

6: I Hope I Never

A nice ballad. Not sounding that good for my tastes though. You see, I am used to quirky and upbeat progressive rock songs, so I only truly like soft ballads if they make you feel extremely emotional, like bawl your eyes out. Otherwise, I would rather hear some quirky pop action again. Still, Tim's vocals shine on this track. A nice break to the quirky pop, I guess.

7: Nobody Takes me Seriously

Layer upon layer of interesting and haunting synths, this track brings me back in Split Enz's pop. I am immediately taken upon an interesting rollercoaster ride of synths, all leading to the 'Nobody take me seriously anyway chorus' which matches the tone of the synths. You can't take this song seriously, anyway. And that's what I like about this song.

8: Missing Person

I like this track as it is a great track to listen to in the background as you are doing things. A frantic song with frantic synths, It is a good song. Really makes me feel exactly like Tim is feeling when he sings frantically, 'I don't wanna be' another missing person', as I am doing frantic tasks(was playing an intense racing game when listening through this song)

9: Poor Boy

It's just generic pop, really. It doesn't have any edge to it, like 'Nobody Takes Me Seriously', with its haunting synths and engaging atmosphere. What more can a poor boy do if he doesn't hear a great split enz pop song?

10: How Can I Resist Her?

Not really any hooks in this song. It's a great rocker though, I must say, with some twists and turns. Not much to say about this song.

11: The Choral Sea

This song is a perfect closer to the album, and especially a good closer to all my favorite tracks on this album. I like it because it is a nice progressive song, with synths that build up overtime. I love the key change towards the end of the song, signifying the song is reaching its climax.

If you want some simple and nice pop, I recommend this album. There is too much filler in this album for my tastes though. Split Enz didn't truly dare to think outside of the box on their tracks until Time and Time in my opinion(to be reviewed later). Within 'True Colours' The synths still sound amazing, especially on my favorite tracks. A lot of the lyrics are relatable too, at least to me :). A good album, but not great, or amazing, like Split Enz's later releases

Track by Track Rating:

1: I Got You, 7.8/10 2: Shark Attack, 8.5/10 3: What's the Matter with You?, 8.75/10 4: Double Happy, 7.5/10 5: I Wouldn't Dream of It, 7/10 6: I Hope I Never, 7/10 7: Nobody Takes me Seriously, 7.8/10 8: Missing Person, 7.5/10 9: Poor Boy, 6.8/10 10: How Can I resist Her?, 7/10 11: The Choral Sea, 8.3/10

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

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