Customer Reviews

Frogstomp

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I have had 'Frogstomp' since it was released in Australia (where I lived for most of the 90's), and I was VERY skeptical of these lads at first (and all the Nirvana in Pajamas jokes that were going around). However, I must say that these kids put out one hell of a good album that brings me back to some of my rock roots of the 70's as well as the 'flannel/grunge' sound of the time. They had a lot of competitition, but in spite of that put out a rather impressive debut CD that still gets regular rotation amidst my collection. They pull off the heavy as well as the mellow, and the funny thing about this CD is that I really can't put a GRUNGE stamp on it like most of the public did...it is just a great collection of rockers (a few duds, but I almost expect that of the best of the best these days).

The guys of Silverchair where still in their thrird year of High School when they won a contest ad got an Epic records record deal. Although they are mis-represented as Nirvana/Pearl Jam rip-offs, these guys manage to have their own sound. From the first track, the loud, grinding bass will cach your attention. And this onslaught doesn't end there, by the time u get to "Undecided" you'll think you've heard what they can do, but it doesn't even compare to these two tracks: "Undecided" and "Cicada". "Undecided" has the coolest base line I've heard in a long time, and "Cicada" is an neat song with a strong message.

These guys have talents and they continue to evolve through their career. Good buy

Even if you haven't heard this album before, hearing it takes you straight back to 1993 where flannel shirts and cons were all the rage... where long stringy hair was as much of a `must-have' as an iPod is in 2005.

I absolutely adored this album when it was released. Sure, I was a little sceptical, but its smooth familiar riffs and melodic vocals eventually won me over. Bu then I got completely and utterly over it and dismissed it for perhaps a good ten years. BUT! I guess the beauty of age is the ability the look back with a rush of warm reminiscence and relive the moments you've learnt something from and relive them once again... and here I am listening to Frogstomp, remembering every word... and REALLY enjoying it!

Whether you've heard it before or not, this album has a pivotal role in any `grunge' collection - Daniel Johns' vocals soar over perfect riffs that provoke you to marvel with envy over the talent that these guys had at such an early age. Anyone who has followed their work would know that hey eventually evolved to a sort of `epic' band, complete with accompanying orchestra - but this album showcases the `roots' of a band that will surely go down in history as one of the best of its kind.

i was in the second grade and reeling after the loss of mr. cobain and wondering where i could turn for a grungy sound in wake of nirvana.enter silverchair, whose debut "frogstomp" crept into my life in 1995 and hasn't left it since.i ALWAYS come back to this album, which says alot because i buy cds at a rabid pace.here's my breakdown:

1. israel's son: 10/10 outstanding song the bass intro is sick and the extremely heavy ending is out of this world

2. tomorrow: 10/10 the song that put silverchair over the top forever and a favorite track of my life-brilliant song

3. faultline: 10/10 very emotional track about daniel losing a freind in an earthquake-the breakdown in the middle towards the end is very groove heavy

4. pure massacre: 10/10 raw and brutal this one just doesn't stop from second number one

5. shade: 10/10 silverchair decides to mellow out for this one and it comes off as very heartfelt and and extremely well laid out grungy mellow rock track-superb

6. leave me out: 10/10 it took awhile for this song to kick in but now that it has it has become on of my favorites

7. suicidal dream: 7/10 this song just doesnt seemt o fit in witht he rest of the disc-i mean its decent but there is something missing

8. madman: 10/10 a crazy instrumental which has a very punk vibe to it-the vocal version rocks too

9. undecided: 8/10 this song is pretty good but it tends to drag along at parts

10. cicada: 20/10: my favorite song on this cd it is the most grunge heavy and pure sounding song on here-simply incredible

11. findaway: 8/10 decent ending fairly heavy with another punk beat-couldve been better but good nonetheless

this album is just pure awe.one of my all time favorites.i bow down to these 15 year olds (at thte time) for their mature work.brilliant.

I have heard far too many people compare this band to Nirvana. I personally cannot believe Nirvana fans would stoop so low as to compare this band to (possibly) their own personal favourite artists. Silverchair is like Nirvana...probably in content alone...at times...other than that...NADA!

There is this other little known band, you might have heard of them, called Stone Temple Pilots which Silverchair sounds a lot like in my mind. Think about it (the vocals especially) and I think you will agree. The depressing metal-ish songs are also somewhat reminicent of another little known (sarcasm) grunge band known as Alice in Chains.

To put it bluntly, it seems like some Nirvana fans thought Silver sounded remotely like Nirvana and jumped on them for "biting" their style. My opinion is that Silverchair was comprised of young kids who loved the grunge sound and, as many artists have had occasion to do so in the past, emulated bands they may have been influenced by. Most bands dont develop their own sound for at least a few albums. Take the vines for instance (please!), they sound like everything from the Beatles to (ironically...or maybe not) Nirvana. Yet I have faith in the Vines, as I did with Silverchair, that they would develop their own sound and ween themselves from the days of playing air guitar to their favourite group. To assume a band could (especially at such a young age)completely sever themselves from their influences is a ridiculous expectation and rarely ever happens.

Yep...thats basically what I was thinking...

Excellent debut. Especially when keeping in mind these guys were just 14 and 15 at the time of the recording. I think someone below asked what happened to Daniel. If you want to know, here goes: He overcame his arthritis and eating disorder. That's the good news. The bad news is he now actually has muscles, tons of tattoos, a crew cut and a beard, smokes pot all the time, and is basically the antithesis of the frail and sweet blond kid we knew even two years ago. I couldn't believe he changed into a total macho fratboy, but it's true. It just takes a while to sink in. He looks a lot like Kevin Federline or Dave Navarro now.

This is a cd for 90s alternative/metal fans. I hope no one disregards this as a good cd because the people that recorded it were 14 years old. It may have been recorded by youngsters, but the sad fact is that a cd recorded by young teens is much better than many cds recorded by people older than them. This cd opens with the adrenaline powered "Israel's Son." This song rocks me every time I hear it. The sharp sound of the drop tuned guitar is awesome and rocks harder than so many songs. The energy doesn't stop there, tommorrow (one of my all time favorite songs) keeps it going. Many people seem to think there is some filler on this, I beg to differ. I feel every song stands on its own and if you are true fan of 90s rock, you will feel the same way......what are you waiting for? Go add a classic to your collection.

I think it is absolutely REDICULOUS that any time a long, blonde haired male being opens his mouth and sings, he is compared to Kurt Cobain and considered a rip off. Nirvana is the main reason I even started playing music and I'm a musician myself and I know that, yes, you can hear grunge in Silverchair, but if anything, it's more Pearl Jam-ish, not NIRVANA! It's rediculous. For 15/16 year olds, there is some AWESOME stuff on this album. Some of the lyrics, I find cheesy and could have been better written but if you say this band doesn't have talent, I think there very well could be a slight hint of, oh, I don't know, JEALOUSY? I rate this album 4 stars because some of the lyrics weren't very great and I don't particularly care for 1 or 2 songs, but this album is still just awesome. It shouldn't just be Daniel Johns who always gets all the credit, though. Theres a drummer and bassist in this band, you know...Chris and Ben...yeah, those guys, they deserve some credit for their talent, too. Nirvana rip-offs...what a joke. Anybody who knows a good bit about music knows this band isn't a Nirvana rip-off. Yes they sounded a lot like other bands at that time, yet they still somehow pulled off a halfway original sound, but every bands first CD at least sounds a little bit like someone else, because everyone has their influences...one of Silverchair's members admitted that HIMSELF...I'm not sure which one it was but I saw where one of them had said it. Bottom line, pretty good album, they're better than a lot of bands out there. They could kick Simple Plan and Good Charlotte and all that pop-punk mess ANYDAY.

-Matt

With a sound that appealed to angst-ridden teens and a look that attracted teen girls, Silverchair hit on a formula that was bound to be huge. Their debut album, Frogstomp, is quite impressive considering that the members of SC were all around the age of 15 when they recorded it. Some of the songs are heavy and in the vein of bands like Helmet and ... yes, Nirvana. Their flaws come out when they get sentimental, on songs like "Shade", which had vocals and lyrics that made me cringe. Lyrics are a weakness of the band, with such goofy lines as "I fantasize about my death / I'll kill myself from holding my breath" (from "Suicidal Dream"). Those flaws aside, they still manage to come up with intense rockers that tackle powerful themes, with the strongest tracks being "Israel's Son", "Tomorrow", "Faultline", and "Undecided". This band was at its best when they pounded out harder rock songs, but they've taken a turn for the worst with their later albums. When they turn the volume down, that only makes the band's weak areas more apparent. There is better rock in this genre (some would call it "grunge") out there, like Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Silverchair's sophomore album "Freak Show", but this is recommended if you enjoy this sound.

The first album I ever bought, I'm surprised not many people have this in their collection. Frogstomp holds up well on its own, but it's particularly brillant because the three members that make up Silverchair weren't even old enough to drive when this album was released. Tomorrow, Shade, and Suicidal Dream are some of the greatest pieces of rock ever constructed, and realistically, this is one of those few albums you can listen to from start to finish. If anyone else is sick of all the emo, nu-metal, rap-rock, or pop-rock that has ruled radio the past 2 years, buy this album and rejoice in its glory.