While not as mainstream as their previous albums — minus, of course, Diorama — Young Modern is a damn nice album. Filled with moments of frantic guitar hooks, bouncy keyboards, and enough sheer talent flowing out of an apparently healthy and rejuvenated Daniel Johns to light up half the world… I just love it.
Having said that, I don’t think that this album will bring the band back to the heights of Frogstomp, Freak Show, or Neon Ballroom. No, those days are over and done with I’m afraid. What it will do — what it does do, actually, and quite well — is signal that this is a band determined to grow and allow itself and its sound to become whatever its slender muse of a front man can dream of…
I think I’m finally at a place and an age in my life when I can honestly say that that is pretty much all I can ever ask of a band. That, and whether it is okay or not if I climb back aboard and be counted as one of their fans, so that I can enjoy the ride as well.
Silverchair’s Young Modern is a really good album by a damned good band. I’m glad to see these guys back to playing rock music, and I’m glad I had a chance to review this album.
Article comments
1 - Joel
Nice review. Diorama was actually the band's fourth studio album, though
2 - Michael Jones
Yeah, I noticed after this was posted that I'd scrambled up that part of it. The 5th was their Greatest hits.. and my mind just hardwired itself on thinking "If the new one is the 6th.. then the last one was the..." and I forgot the silly GH's.
Ah well. Have you given "Young Modern" a listen, yet?
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"...if Metallica suddenly decided that bluegrass was the perfect direction to head next."
Well, they(Metallica)basically ditched metal, I wouldn't give'em any ideas.
As for Silverchair, I think you have given them more stock than what they are worth. They were a drone band and nothing more. This album proves that Silverchair is still following the trend...
4 - Artemisian
"They were a drone band and nothing more. This album proves that Silverchair is still following the trend..."
Drone band? Jesus. They started off as imitators; they admit themselves. They were 14, for God's sakes. But they've grown in the last three albums to have a sound that is entirely their own. I can understand if it's not to your taste, but they're certainly not drones.
"Having said that, I don’t think that this album will bring the band back to the heights of Frogstomp, Freak Show, or Neon Ballroom. No, those days are over and done with I’m afraid."
That's pretty funny, actually. This has been their fastest-selling album ever, with four weeks at number one (their 5th consecutive no. 1), and double platinum in three weeks. 'Straight Lines' is their first no. 1 single since 'Freak'. I mean ... seriously. I don't think people outside Australia quite get it. Direct quote: "The group has had more top twenty hits in Australian charts during the last decade than any other local artist". What else do you want??
5 - Allison
I agree that 'Diorama' was pretty unexpectedly out there on my first impression, but when I went back and really listened to each of their previous albums in succession, I could hear the progression towards that flamboyant sound. Each album was a little more experimental than the last -- but Diorama just took more of a giant leap from Neon Ballroom than NB took from Freak Show, and so on.
That being said, I like Young Modern more than Diorama, as it feels more controlled and cohesive. And as much as I love the older stuff, it's nice to finally hear Johns being optimistic about life. YM is an album you can actually kind of dance to, and it KICKS live.