Customer Reviews

Neon Ballroom

5 star:		(309)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Back in 1995 when FROGSTOMP came out, Silverchair's three members were only 15 years old, but needless to say many were impressed with their skills at such an age. Their debut was a fierce blend of aggression and angst packaged neatly in nuggets of throttling guitar rock. FREAK SHOW still had its fair share of metallic grunge but also balanced it off with some varied textures. NEON BALLROOM continues their experiments with melody while sprinkling in some orchestration, keyboards, and lush arrangements to add depth to their sonic assault. While NEON BALLROOM does have its share of Kurt Cobain-esque moments, more often than not its a very impressive trip through all 12 tracks.

Take for instance the lush opening track "Emotion Sickness", which features piano great David Helfgott on keyboards. Here vocalist/guitarist Daniel Johns, bassist Chris Joannou, and drummer Ben Gillies showcase a completely sparse yet lavish six minutes of glossy but dramatic rock. It doesn't hurt that the song sounds like it could be many different suites, but there are moments during the song where Silverchair sound much older than their years. First single "Anthem For The Year 2000" is an arena-sized nugget of stadium metal that makes you want to stomp your feet more than not. It's the gentler moments that really surprise you, from the gentle, sweeping grandeur of "Miss You Love" to the silvery power ballad that is "Ana's Song (Open Fire)", which tells the tale of Daniel Johns battle with anorexia. But Silverchair still love to show that they can rock, such as the fierce and angry guitars that dominate the grindcore of "Spawn Again", which is a fiery slice of animal defense. "Satin Sheets" has punk attitude written all over it with the thrashing guitars and pounding drums. Again, so many texures to be found on BALLROOM. Other tracks like "Point of View" and "Black Tangled Heart" mix together the majestic and the monster.

Overall, Silverchair really display a sense of craft and majesty on NEON BALLROOM. Whether you like this side of Silverchair or not depends on your dedication to the changes a young band will go through. BALLROOM displays some real strength and progress, one that would come to full realization on DIORAMA.

P.S. Look for Silverchair's new album YOUNG MODERN due out April.

Where should I start? This album has changed my life. I have been a fan of theirs for about 5 years now, since the first day I heard "Tomorrow" on the radio. I was ten, and yes I liked them because they sounded like those Seattle grunge bands. They have so much maturity for their age, and I think many of their fans have evolved along with them, myself included. I think the song that compares best to a majority of Neon Ballroom songs is the song "Cemetary" off of Freak Show. Nevertheless, this album was a huge leap from Freak Show, and I know alot of people who hate them now for trying to appeal to teenyboppers. It's completely untrue and unfounded, and obviously you listened with a closed mind and didn't think about the lyrics. I sat in my room and I sobbed because the lyrics affected me so much, and I could understand so much of what Daniel was saying through those lyrics. It has helped me out of my depression that I have been fighting since the age of eight. Emotion Sickness is my favorite song of theirs and is so beautifully written and performed. When I saw them live I almost had a heart attack when this song began. This band has come so far from their last album, and I wish I could write things as meaningful and touching for someone as Daniel has for me. If you only like silverchair because they used to sound like nirvana, then go buy a nirvana album and don't waste your time whining about how much they suck now. And if you are some Britney Spears wannabe teeny bopper that is just getting this because of Ana's Song, or because you think Daniel is hot, I don't know if your bubble-gum chewing head of yours can comprehend the lyrics. You can give it a try, but don't blame me if your head explodes.

This CD's incredible. Seriously. I mean, if you're considering buying it you should. I hadn't really thought about Silverchair for a while but one day my friend randomly mentioned them and for some reason the name stuck in my head and I ended up buying the album. This was about a month ago and I haven't stopped listening to the album since I got it. Its so real, Daniel Johns really put all his emotion into this album. It shows musically and lyrically. Theres a love ballad (miss you love), a fast punky song (Satin Sheets), a hard rock song about animal rights (Spawn Again), a song about his battle with anorexia (Anas Song), theres litterally everything. Its a really diverse album. I no longer just think of silverchair as the Australian "Tomorrow" band, I think of them as one of the best bands out there. Silverchairs music is often kind of angry but its not like some of the stuff out there thats just angry for the sake of being angry, they actually put reason into their music. Trust me, don't pass up this album. You won't regret buying it.

ok...this is one of the best albums in existance. i have been a HUGE 'chair fan since day one. this cd constantly reminds me why they have been my favorite band for the last four and a half years. all the music is brilliant...and if you have ever seen them perform these songs live then you know just how overpowering they can be. the haunting and engenious 6-minute opening song entitled "emotion sickness" leaves you in awe, and asking yourself, "was this song really written by a 19 year old kid?". when this group first hit the music scene, they were accused of being "nirvana posers". if anyone listens to this cd and still believes this is true, then please give yourself a good kick in the head because you are a R E T A R D. in my opinion, this band is better then nirvana ever was. this is an awesome cd and i think 'chair will release even better cds in the future. no matter what they do...whether it's fast or slow, hard or soft...it always comes out amazing. buy this cd (or i'll hurt you) and while you're at it, check out SEVENDUST and FILTER. these are two other bands who don't get nearly enough recognition.

words fail me. Wait, I've thought of some...gorgeous, evocative,varied,symbolic, deep...I love this album. I heard Anthem for the Year 2000 on a radio station by some accident, as I was not really a fan of ANY current music atthe time. I talked myself into buying the album for this ONE SONG...and have not regretted it once. i now own every CD they have put out, plus those of various similar artists(Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam,Radiohead, etc.) Wait. why am I even writing this review? Everything i want to say about this album has already been said numerous times by numerous people. This is not music, this is Art.

Silverchair's Neon Ballroom has to be the most personal and heartwrenching album of all time. Frontman Daniel Johns battle with anorexia is the main theme explored on this introspective disc. The track Open Fire (Ana's Song) John's talks openly and bluntly about having and coping with the diaease known as anorexia, "I love you to the bones, and Ana wrecks your life like an anorexia life." Miss you love is a gorgeous song with self-loathing lyrics:"I'm not,not too sure how it feels to handle everyday like the one who just passed in the crowds of all the people..." Do you feel the same, and Paint pastel Princess are about overcoming loneliness and staying clear of prescription pills. The best song on the album is Black Tangled Heart which John's declares:"Maybe you'll kill yourself before i get a turn, maybe i'll fall in love and never learn." Point of View and Anthem for the year 2000 are also standout tracks. John's voice is so strong and powerful, he is using all the strength he possibly has in his tiny body to get his words out. A stunning and therapeutic masterpiece, Neon Ballroom will have you begging for more.

Man, these guys were inspired when they did this album. You have to believe, I have cried listening to songs like ¨Emotion sickness¨ or ¨Steam will rise¨ It's emotive, passionate and touching. The sleeve art is also interesant, with a different art and motive for each song.

silverchair is a band that is going to have to fight off critics for a few more years to come. frogstomp was released when they were the early age of 15, and even though it is an impressive work from the three young musicians, it reminded the world too much of nirvana. for this reason, many critics don't take them seriously, and it may take them a few more years for them to do so. nevertheless, silverchair started experimenting with new sounds on freak show, and now on neon ballroom, daniel johns takes us on an honest and personal musical journey.

musically, neon ballroom is amazing. "emotion sickness" is their most complex and daring song to date, extending to the six minute mark, and throughout the album you can find strings, pianos, and even a harp. but it may be the lyrics that give this album staying power. daniel johns wrote each song originally as poetry, and the words are raw, emotional and honest. "emotion sickness" is about his experiences with depression, "ana's song" is about his now publicized battle against anorexia, "miss you love" is an anti-love song written in disguise as a love song, and "paint pastel princess" is about living with the aid of anti-depressants.

older fans of silverchair may have trouble adjusting to their new sound, since the only songs on the album that sound like their earlier material are the borderline punk "satin sheets" and the now outdated concert song, "anthem for the year 2000." but for those looking for more than just an album to rock out to, neon ballroom is as real as you can get.

I bought this album about a week before it's release (don't ask me how), being a big fan of silverchair. This is very different from their previous two albums, (but then Freakshow was quite different to Frogstomp so there ya go), and I know some fans were quite dissapointed with it. However, those people are quite narrow minded, as this album showcases some of their best work to date.

There are huge orchestral tracks such as the excellent opener Emotion Sickness which is a superb example of controlled power and Black Tangled Heart with its massive noise breaks; the heavier more traditional 'chair style songs such as Anthem For The Year 2000, Spawn Again, Dearest Helpless and Do You Feel The Same; a fast punk song (Satin Sheets) in a similar style to Lie To Me; and bunch of exquisite ballads such as Ana's Song (Open Fire), Point Of View and Miss You Love, and even a more funky, atmospheric closer, Steam Will Rise.

Silverchair have confounded their critics now to produce three great, differing albums, Frogstomp with its' fantastic raw and energetic rock feel, Freakshow with its' grungier influences, and now Neon Ballroom, with its' complex melodies and great variation in style.

Buy it, and listen with an open mind.

Neon Ballroom is the most emotional album I've ever listened to. Daniel Johns' crackly vibratto sends chills down your spine as he sings about his battles with paranoia, depression and anorexia and carefully handles each string of his sincerely screaching guitar. Chris Joannou gives "bass-player" a new meaning as his grungy strums take over the undertones. Ben Gillies complicates typical beats to fit the dramatic cry of the background orchestra. At age 20, the boys of Silverchair have given teenage angst a new meaning. Another reviewer commented, Silverchair's albums just keep getting better and it's true. Right now, they are working on a new album and, unfortunetly for them, it will be hard to compare to this brilliant masterpiece. I, like many other listeners, have gotten great satisfaction out of Neon Ballroom and I highly recommend it; to anyone!