Press
01-03-1999
"Neon Ballroom" Review
By Shaun Carney (Green Guide)
The first sounds of silverchair's new album ome from the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra and pianist David Helfgott, crashing through the
dramatic opening to Emotion Sickness. It is a bold statement by a trio
anxious to shake off not just its wunderkind status, but the audience
expectation that it will continue to churn out neo-grunge guitar
anthems. Neon Ballroom is certainly a wild departure from the band's
past output. It is also, more than anything, an expression of Daniel
Johns' emerging artistic vision. Johns wrote the whole thing and the
richer, more diverse musical approach is a sign of his rapidly maturing
sensibilities. Interestingly, while there's much greater emphasis on
melodies and strings on songs such as Miss You Love and Paint Pastel
Princess, the rock songs, such as the manic Satin Sheets and the metal
outing Spawn Again, are tougher than silverchair have ever sounded.
[Thanks to Mad for the transcript.]