Really great sound, 1 problem disc
D. Lalla | Canada | 05/13/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just got this today and compared the sound with the Australian CD issues from years ago - what a difference. Paradoxically, some of the newer albums benefit the most from the remastering - especially Corroboree - the sound is full, with plenty of bass and audible detail not there on those original releases.
I'll try and follow with more details later, but just a warning - if you buy this set, check out 'See ya Round' right away - Mine has the correct CD case, booklet, CD label etc...but the music on it is actually a compilation CD called 'Dreaming didgeridoo'!!! - It's a misprint from the factory.
I called Amazon customer service and they've credited me for that so I could order the remastered extended version of See Ya Round that's in the set. They also offered to replace the whole thing, but warned me it would take a while as they'd have to get it for me...
-5 stars to Amazon, for resolving my issue fast!
-5 stars to Split Enz for an amazing body of work,
-4 stars on the remastering job (some of the early albums don't seem to benefit as much as I'd hope, but that probably reflects the source recording), and
-4 stars for the extra tracks - It would have been interesting if they included the live album(s) and/or the 'Beyond Split Enz' 2 CD set which has all kinds of other b-sides. Still, I'm nit-picking.
-5 stars for price. Also keep in mind that you're averaging about $16 per disc in the set for remastered extended Australian imports, which sell for about $25 individually, so it's also a good price. Also keep in mind you only pay 1 shipping price for those of us ordering from outside the US. If you plan to get 3 or 4 or 5 of their better known albums, you'd probably be better off investing in this whole set."
Box it Up. I'll Take it...
J. Shephard | theMittenState | 03/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Do you really know what Time and Tide it is? I have a suspicion that when it comes to Split Enz, you probably have a twisted little inkling that doesn't much resemble reality.
By the time the boys from New Zealand reached the somewhat mainstream ear of the US public with 1978's quirky "hit" "I've Got You", the REALLY wacky , creative edges had been smoothed out and the overall sound was headed for Crowded Houses inhabited by a much saner breed of pup.
In the beginning of the Enz, they were as quirky as an unsocialized alien visiting from way beyond downunder.These initial albums are like nothing anyone had presented in a pop format.
I first discovered them when the uber-hip record store manager pointed out "Second Thoughts" with it's bizarre artwork and the "produced by Phil Manzanera" tag on the cover.
When I got that bad-boy home and released it from the shrink-wrap, I was delighted! Now I'll give you a heads up right here. I am a fan of weird. But, as a qualifier to that statment, I need my weird couched in a comfortable envelope of normal. Does that make sense? I am not a cheerleader for people who re-record old tapes of themselves giggling into an echo chamber while reciting Walt Whitman poems translated into some forgotten language, but, a tap dance solo, or a pop song that sets up a well-travelled route and then suddenly veers off into a lyrical or instrumental canyon? Now that's MY cup of kangaroo meat. Ya know?
The Early Enz have that in spades, and I'm pretty sure that's the influence of one Mr Phil Judd. But the Enz were a whole clown-car of creative impulses and probably fell all over each other trying to get the beast on it's feet. It evolved.
So these quirky joksters had me from the initial exposure. These songs don't give you the time to grow complacent, they just take off and do their thing.
Now as Time(and Tide) went along, they continued to realize very good challenging music and I've obviously followed along from then to now, brown cow, and I'll have to say that they deserve all the success they acheived in their continually watered-down careers, cripes, yesterday I heard "Don't Dream it's Over" on the Muzak at a Kentucky Fried Duck Store sung by some country girl. (I should have looked her up...go ahead) But you can bet your cute little statue of a Koala Bear that she isn't ever going to tackle "Six Days in a Leaky Boat".
So here's the gift of all gifts, (pardon me my euphemism religious friends) a collection of all the Enz. In a beautiful BOX with a GREAT RE-Mastering job.
Artwork, Notes, Bonus Track and 11 (count 'em ELEVEN!) of the coolest songs ever performed from one of the great lost treasures of pop songwriting ever to get "this close" to acheiving mainstream success.
So start at the End and work your way to the Beginning of the Enz.. it may be the best way to make sense of what was, and what will probably be taught someday to students at unimagined colleges founded on Mars by the children of our children's children.
Good Luck. Enjoy."
These Albums Have Never Sounded Better. The Lost Album Rooti
J. D. Plotner | Oakland,Ca.USA | 02/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, what can I say these CD's blew my socks off. They have never sounded better. I have the other two box sets from 16 years or when ever they were released before, but they do not compare. Someone has worked very hard to get these to sound this good. The lost "Rootin Tootin Luton Tapes" is good as well, not great but there are a few gems among them. You'll love it.
Almost every CD have a bonus track or two included and they rock hard as well.
So this is a highly recommended set. This comes from a Finn fan from ages ago.
Buy It Now
Jack Plotner"
