Conflicting Emotions

Conflicting Emotions is a 1983 album by New Zealand New Wave band Split Enz. Although considered by some to be their poorest release, the band themselves were more than happy with the result at the time and refused to make any of the changes requested by their Australian and US record companies.

As recording began, Tim Finn had just released a successful solo album, Escapade, and was focused on promoting it. As a result, most of the songs on the album are by Neil Finn.

The album's title was certainly appropriate. The rumored resentment over Tim Finn's successful solo career was made worse by his insistence to include drummer Ricky Fataar in recording sessions and using a drum machine on most other tracks. Hence, although Noel Crombie is credited as drummer/percussionist on the album liner notes, he actually contributed very little drumming.

The first single to be lifted from the album was "Strait Old Line", which peaked at a disappointing #31 on the Australian charts in late 1983. Without a big hit single to promote it, 'Conflicting Emotions' failed to crack the Australian Top 10 - a disastrous commercial blow after three consecutive #1 albums. The band advertised for a new drummer before taking to the road for the Conflicting Emotions tour, hoping that an injection of new blood would revitalize them. Paul Hester answered the call, joining Split Enz in time to feature in the Message to My Girl video clip.

When released as the album's second single in February 1984, Message to My Girl was the big hit the album had needed upon release. It returned the band to the Australian Top 10, reaching #6, and is now one of their most beloved songs. It would prove to be the band's swansong in the Australian charts.

[edit] Miscellanea

The album cover art was created by former Split Enz frontman Philip Judd
The 2006 release was one of the few Enz albums not released with bonus tracks
"Kia Kaha," the b-side of "Message to My Girl," was recorded during these sessions -- and the same recording was subsequently included on the next album.

[edit] Track listing

Songs written by Neil Finn, except where noted.

"Strait Old Line" - 4:03
"Bullet Brain and Cactus Head" (N. Finn, Tim Finn) - 3:59
"Message to My Girl" - 4:04
"Working Up an Appetite" (T. Finn) - 4:08
"Our Day" - 4:57
"No Mischief" - 4:15
"The Devil You Know" - 3:35
"I Wake Up Every Night" (T. Finn) - 4:46
"Conflicting Emotions" (T. Finn) - 4:30
"Bon Voyage" (T. Finn) - 4:06

[edit] Personnel

Neil Finn - vocals, guitar, piano
Tim Finn - vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards
Noel Crombie - vocals, percussion
Nigel Griggs - vocals, bass
Eddie Rayner - keyboards and machines
Ricky Fataar - drums on "Message to My Girl"

v • d • e

Split Enz

Noel Crombie · Neil Finn · Tim Finn · Malcolm Green · Nigel Griggs · Eddie Rayner

Lineup chronology

October 1972 - February 1973

February 1973 - Early 1974

Early 1974 - June 1974

July 1974 - September 1974

October 1974 - November 1975

November 1975 - November 1976

November 1976 – April 1977

April 1977 - December 1977

January 1978 - February 1978

March 1978 - May 1981

May 1981 - November 1983

December 1983 - June 1984

June 1984 - December 1984

Studio albums

Mental Notes · Second Thoughts · Dizrythmia · Frenzy · True Colours · Waiata · Time and Tide · Conflicting Emotions · See Ya 'Round

Compilations

The Beginning of the Enz · Enz of an Era · The Split Enz Collection 1973 – 1984 · History Never Repeats - The Best Of Split Enz · Oddz and Enz · Rear Enz · The Best of Split Enz · The Gold Collection · Spellbound · The Collection: The Best of the Early Years · Rootin Tootin Luton Tapes

Live albums

The Living Enz · Anniversary · Extravagenza

Singles