Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Six Months in a Leaky Boat — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics, becoming an anthem of resilience amid uncertainty.
-
→
Dirty Creature — With its driving beat and vivid imagery, this song captures the band's theatrical essence while addressing themes of personal conflict and transformation.
-
→
Hello Sandy Allen — Inspired by real-life stories, this track highlights the band's ability to weave social commentary into their infectious pop sound, showcasing lyrical creativity.
-
→
Lost For Words — This introspective piece reveals emotional vulnerability through its melodic structure, illustrating the band's range beyond upbeat anthems.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks the depth for frequent revisits.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Dirty Creature', and maintains a brisk tempo through the first half before slowing down in the latter half.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and complex arrangements, particularly 'Six Months in a Leaky Boat', which includes prominent use of percussion and synthesizers.
- The lyrics often employ abstract imagery, creating a theatrical feel that complements the eclectic instrumentation throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo exploration
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- vibrant melodies for sing-alongs
- consistent flow through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on April 1, 1982, Time and Tide was Split Enz's fifth studio album, showcasing their evolution after the commercial success of their previous album, Waiata. The band was transitioning into a more polished sound while maintaining their distinctive artistic flair, which helped solidify their presence in the global music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Crowded House· XTC· The B-52's
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dirty Creature 4:02
- 2 Giant Heartbeat 3:57
- 3 Hello Sandy Allen 3:50
- 4 Never Ceases to Amaze Me 3:03
- 5 Lost For Words 3:00
- 6 Small World 3:35
- 7 Take a Walk 3:34
- 8 Pioneer 1:30
- 9 Six Months in a Leaky Boat 4:20
- 10 Haul Away 2:26
- 11 Log Cabin Fever 4:34
- 12 Make Sense of It 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.