Search - Silverchair :: Neon Ballroom

Simply Astounding

Aaron Levesque | Connecticut | 12/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The classic hypothetical scenario: If you had to pick any album to bring with you on a desert island, which one would you pick?



My choice is easily Neon Ballroom.



This album first introduced me to Silverchair, and it blew me away. It is a diverse selection of songs, containing highly orchestrated ballads, beautifully soothing heartfelt vocals, stunning music, and a couple head-banging tunes to boot.



The album opens with the aural masterpiece, "Emotion Sickness," a musically complex 6-minute song that separates Silverchair from the many blase, mainstream genres that are popular.



The emotionally hard-hitting "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" and the grungier "Anthem for the Year 2000" both made it onto Carson Daly's Total Request Live, giving the band more popularity in the US. These songs deserve the recognition.



Another noteworthy song is "Paint Pastel Princess," a more atmospheric and soothing song, which may be my favourite song by the band.



"Black Tangled Heart," "Miss You Love," and "Do You Feel The Same" are some more songs that stand out, but the album in its entirety is awe-inspiring.



Despite the fact frontman Daniel Johns confessed that when he wrote the music for 'Neon Ballroom' and their equally amazing follow up, 'Diorama,' he "hated music," I find these two albums to be Silverchair's most impressive, innovative, and enjoyable.



So, have an open mind and open ears and give this Aussie trio a listen."

How A Teenage Grunge Band Matures 101

H. Jin | Melbourne, Australia | 09/25/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Building on some of the experiments of 'Freak Show' (such as 'Cemetery' and 'Petrol and Chlorine'), silverchair's third album finds them adopting a more mature and textured sound. While their ambitions would not be fully realsied until 'Diorama', 'Neon Ballroom' is certainly a step in the right direction. The direct attack of their previous albums has been toned down in favour of a more reflective approach, and Daniel Johns reveals himself to be a surprisingly talented songwriter, and even more surprisingly a good singer.



The heavy, grungy rock of their first two albums is only apparent on three tracks 'Anthem For The Year 2000', 'Spawn' and 'Satin Sheets'. Elsewhere, the band try many new things. 'Emotion Sickness' is an awesome opener, driven by an intense string section and the nervous, jittery piano of David Helfgott. 'Miss You Love' and the closer 'Steam Will Rise' are genuine ballads. Other tracks such as 'Ana's Song' and 'Paint Pastel Princess' combine softer, string-driven elements with heavier rock sections. The instrumentation and production are greatly expanded, with keyboards, piano, strings, and even a harp employed on different songs.



At the same time, it's clear that this is still the work of a grunge band. The usual themes of depression, isolation and uncertainty are spread very thickly. Daniel Johns was battling anorexia among other things, and reportedly lived as a virtual recluse while writing these songs. The result is a very downbeat and somber album, which can be a difficult listen at times. The full expansion of their lyrics beyond these themes, and incorporation of melody, would have to wait for another few years.



Die-hard fans of the band's heavier sound might be a little disappointed, but the more mature sound here is a welcome development. 'Neon Ballroom' doesn't quite have the scope or ambition of the boundary-pushing 'Diorama' and 'Young Modern', but it certainly makes movements in that direction, making the album a key transition between early and late career silverchair."