''Conflicting Emotions'' is the ninth album by New Zealand art-rock band

Split Enz Split Enz were a New Zealand band formed in 1972. Regarded as the first New Zealand band to gain significant recognition outside of Australasia, they were initially noted for their progressive rock, progressive/art rock sound, flamboyant visua ...

. As recording began, Tim Finn had just released a successful solo album, ''

Escapade Escapade or Escapades may refer to: Transportation *Beneteau Escapade, a French sailboat design * HMS ''Escapade'', a 1934 Royal Navy destroyer that served in World War II *'' Just Escapade'', an American two-seat kit-built light aircraft Films ...

'', and was focused on promoting it. As a result, six of the ten songs on the album are written and sung by

Neil Finn Neil Mullane Finn (born 27 May 1958) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known for being a principal member of Split Enz and for being the lead singer of Crowded House. He was also a member of Fleetwood Mac from 2018 ...

. The rumored resentment over Tim Finn's successful solo career was worsened by his desire to include drummer

Ricky Fataar Ricky Fataar (born 5 September 1952) is a South African musician of Malay descent who has performed as both a drummer and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in ''The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash'', a spoof on the Beatles, in which he per ...

in recording sessions, and using a drum machine on most other tracks. Hence, although

Noel Crombie Geoffrey Noel Crombie (born 17 April 1953) is a New Zealand percussionist and former member of the band Split Enz. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, singer, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior ...

is credited as drummer/percussionist on the album liner notes, he actually contributed very little drumming. Neil Finn said at the time of recording, "These drum machine things that are going around at the moment. We thought it was high time we utilised one and we've been very careful with it."

Eddie Rayner Anthony Edward Charles Rayner (born 19 November 1952) is a New Zealand musician who spent ten years as a keyboardist in the band Split Enz. He has also played in the groups Orb, Space Waltz, Crowded House, the Makers, The Angels in 1986-1987 ...

at this point started to use the

Yamaha DX7 The Yamaha DX7 is a synthesizer manufactured by Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1989. It was the first successful digital synthesizer and is one of the best-selling synthesizers in history, selling more than 200,000 units. In the early 1980s, th ...

synthesizer which can heard on many tracks. The band advertised for a new drummer before taking to the road for the ''Conflicting Emotions'' tour, hoping an injection of new blood would revitalize them.

Paul Hester Paul Newell Hester (8 January 1959 – 26 March 2005) was an Australian musician and television personality. He was the drummer for the band Split Enz for their last year together from December 1983 to December 1984, and co-founding member an ...

answered the call, joining Split Enz in time to feature in the video clip for "

Message to My Girl "Message to My Girl" is a song by New Zealand art rock group Split Enz. It was released in January 1984 as the second single from their album '' Conflicting Emotions''. In 2001, the song was voted by members of APRA as the 36th best New Zeal ...

". The album cover art was created by former Split Enz frontman

Phil Judd Philip Raymond Judd (born 20 March 1953) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter known for being one of the founders of the bands Split Enz and The Swingers. Split Enz In 1972, Judd and Tim Finn founded the arty folk band Split Enz. In its early d ...

, while the back cover was painted by Noel Crombie.

Track listing

Personnel

Split Enz *

– vocals, guitar, piano *

Tim Finn Brian Timothy Finn (born 25 June 1952) is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He is best known as a founding member of Split Enz. Finn founded the band in 1972 with Phil Judd and served as lead singer and principal songw ...

– vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards *

– vocals, percussion, drums *

Nigel Griggs Nigel Griggs (born 18 August 1949) is an English musician. He is perhaps best known for having played bass guitar in the band Split Enz. He is the brother of Paul Griggs from the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls. Biography A professional m ...

– vocals, bass *

– keyboards, Yamaha DX7 and machines Additional musician *

– drums on "

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Authority control Split Enz albums 1983 albums Albums produced by Hugh Padgham Mushroom Records albums