Split Enz - ENZyclopedia Vol 1 & 2

Where was I when Mental Notes was released back in 1975? As a fan of art rock and prog rock, the debut album from Split Enz, the band from down under hit on all these notes, plus more. Fifty years later, hearing this for the first time, I am all in and completely astounded by how unique and creative the initial incarnation of the band was. To even learn that the band formed back in 1972 and was the first from New Zealand to achieve major success beyond the Southern Hemisphere, evolving from folk-inspired beginnings into a fusion of art rock, new wave, and theatrical performance is simply incredible that I overlooked this gem for all these years.

Focused in this review is the Atmos Blu-ray disc, which was sold exclusively through Super Deluxe Edition. Alternate 50th anniversary editions of their groundbreaking debut, Mental Notes and effective sophomore release Second Thoughts, retitled as ENZyclopedia Volumes One & Two are also available through major retailers. Why the name change you may ask? This 5-CD box set and even a 3-LP edition, offers an in-depth look at their formative years and as such includes early recordings. More specifically and in short, ENZycolopedia Vol 1 & 2 contain their first two albums plus extras.

For the all-in fan, I must note the 5CD edition here which includes: CD1 2025 remaster from the original 1975 mix of their debut album Mental Notes. CD2 new remix of their 1976 album Second Thoughts. CD3 remastered version of the original mix of Second Thoughts. CD4 collects together the band’s earliest singles and rare tracks from their formative years. And CD5 contains an archive of unreleased and rare material. The 3LP edition is a bit slimmed down, thus for all-in fans, the 5CD edition is the way to go.

However, for High Resolution and Immersive Audio enthusiasts, readers like you of this site, the Blu-Ray edition which is exclusive to SuperDeluxeEdition.com, features Atmos and 5.1 mixes of their 1976 album Second Thoughts by Michael Carpenter, as well as hi-res stereo versions of the new Eddie Rayner remix and the original 1976 stereo version. Also, there is a hi-res stereo version of the 1975 original mix of Mental Notes and three music videos.

Looking back, Mental Notes was a record the band lived with long before tape ever rolled. Yet there was a picture of something cinematic in their minds, so lush, ambitious, and worthy of the sixties masterpieces they worshipped as young musicians. That’s why Split Enz ultimately made their debut album twice, once in Sydney, and the second version in London a year later. Lead singer Tim Finn reflect “So the “real” Mental Notes is still hovering somewhere between two records, never to be fully realized. However, nowadays I can hear beauty in the flaws, and completeness in the imperfections.”

Second Thoughts Producer and guitarist Phil Manzanera recalls his first encounter with the band with unmistakable enthusiasm, “We’d just endured an endless trip to Australia, Mumbai, refueling stops, the lot, and when I finally reached my hotel and turned on the TV, there was Split Enz performing live on GTK. Their creativity and theatricality were unlike anything I’d seen. When I learned they were sharing the bill with Roxy Music at the Hordern Pavilion, I made a point of watching them from side stage and was properly impressed. Subsequently while recording Second Thoughts, it became clear they weren't just eccentric, they were remarkably skilled.”

Keyboard player, Eddie Rayner says, “The original mixes of Mental Notes always felt right to me, no need to touch them.” Yet while sifting through digital transfers from the Chrysalis archives, curiosity got the better of him. Hearing the raw tracks again, Rayner was hit by how inventive and fearless the arrangements were, thus new mixes revealing parts that had been tucked away are more distinct and the overall clarity dramatically improved.

As noted earlier the band continued to evolve, and the initial lineup included: Tim Finn on vocals and piano; Phil Judd also on vocals, plus acoustic guitar, electric guitar and mandolin; Eddie Rayner playing acoustic and electric piano, mellotron, synthesizer, organ and clavinet; Mike Chunn grooving on the bass, Emlyn Crowther hitting the drums; Noel Crombie adding percussion, and Wally Wilkinson on lead guitar on Mental Notes & Robert Gillies on saxophone for Second Thoughts.

Typically, I remark on the immersive mixes first, however since Mental Notes was released prior to Second Thoughts and is the first program on the Blu-ray, I will start there. Presented as a 96kHz / 24-bit LPCM stereo remaster of the original mix, I found it to be a very good transfer. Admittedly, I have no previous versions on hand to compare this edition against, yet here is what stood out for me. The bass was clear and not at all overbearing, the mids were zesty and possibly even a bit elevated in the upper mid-range, while the top-end was completely smooth with no wild harshness. Channel separation was very good and I felt the depth of the mix to be comfortable, even somewhat accentuated by a push in the upper mids which possibly aided in defining the reverb to a greater degree. The album is extremely artsy, and I sense they had a lot of fun creating it. After listening to Second Thoughts, I also easily recognize why the album was re-recorded, but I prefer to let fans determine which set of performances they prefer, as this is often very much up to personal taste.

The true value for immersionists are the Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes of Second Thoughts. Still first it is important to dissect the differences between the original and new stereo mixes by Eddie Rayner of their sophomore release. The immediate and most obvious omission are the birds at the start of “Late Last Night” which opens the album. For purists there are dramatic differences between the two mixes, most evident is the rebalancing of the keyboard parts and improved clarity of vocals. As a newcomer, I found I preferred the new mix which overall had a better blend across all parts. Additionally, the upper regions have been smoothed out and the snare drum sounds fatter. The soundstage feels wider, however the dynamics seem a bit muted compared to the 1976 mix. Also, in places I found the bass to be rich and round, while in other sections I felt it had become lost under the other instruments. Check out both versions to determine your preference, however I could easily see how someone who is well acquainted with Second Thoughts likely would still prefer the original version with its classic 70s sound.

Spreading out across the speaker array, remix engineer Michael Carpenter takes listeners on a sonic adventure. I wager that some fans will find the DTS-HD MA 48kHz / 24-bit 5.1 surround mix to be somewhat front centric. While there is plenty of action in the rear channels, much of it seemed a bit muted with the front main channels carrying much of the weight. Much like the Rayner mixes, they are extremely well balanced, and I generally felt they are an extension of the new 2025 stereo mixes. There are very clear sections where the back speakers fire in all their glory, allowing the music to surround the sweet spot. Yet, the Atmos mix takes this all to the next level.

I believe Carpenter has truly given Second Thoughts an entirely new life with his Dolby Atmos 48kHz / 24-bit mix. There is extensive use of the height speakers, elevating keyboard parts and other elements including guitars off the floor. It also seems that any concern about a front centric mix has been overcome with more expressive use of the rears and the addition of the height channels. For me, everything snuggly fits together blanketing the listener in a cocoon of sound. I also noticed that the dynamics jumped out more on the Atmos mix while the soundstage was naturally much larger with plenty of depth all around and up into the sky.

“Time For a Change” remains the masterpiece on the album and is a solid improvement from the initial version found on their debut release. While the band lends itself to more of the Art Rock style, I dig the fusionesque progressive guitar solo and overall song “Maybe.” The entire album from start to finish is exceedingly creative and really shines in Dolby Atmos.

An absolute must have for fans of Splitz Enz, collectors of Art Rock, and immersionists seeking an all-encompassing Atmos mix.

Released November 14, 2025

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 About the Author

Wesley is a lifelong music enthusiast. He started his career in the recording industry in New York City as an audio engineer, producer, and studio manager. Subsequently he toured across America as a guitarist with the short-lived band Land's Crossing. After many years in the technology sector and amassing a substantial vinyl and CD collection, he delved into immersive audio and created Hi-Res Edition to share with other listeners about the sound quality and discrete mixes available on many formats. He recently upgraded his system to 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos and continues to seek out and share about the best sounding releases.