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Neon Ballroom

Silverchair - Neon Ballroom Audio CD

A fair review of the Silverchair "Neon Ballroom" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Silverchair reviews here, or go back to the Silverchair tabs.

Band: Silverchair
Title: Neon Ballroom
Rating:

Release Date: 1999-03-16
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Emotion Sickness 2: Anthem for the Year 2000 3: Ana's Song (Open Fire) 4: Spawn Again 5: Miss You Love 6: Dearest Helpless 7: Do You Feel the Same 8: Black Tangled Heart 9: Point of View 10: Satin Sheets 11: Paint Pastel Princess 12: Steam Will Rise

How A Teenage Grunge Band Matures 101
While their ambitions would not be fully realsied until 'Diorama', 'Neon Ballroom' is certainly a step in the right direction. 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. 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.

Neon Ballroom
Alot ob people say there first two albums are there best and after that they changed there sound. I was hesitant about buying this album. Which is true. But, if you seperate ther careers into the first three and the last three albums, this does fit in the same vein as the previous two. This to me a bridge album, meaning you can see where they where headed but they hadn't got there yet. If you like the "grunge thing" you should like this one. Emotion sickness is a hell of a moving song, it has to be one of my favorite rock songs period. I do prefere this era of silverchair though. They just rocked harder as kids, now they seem to be softer and more orchestral now. .

Simply Astounding

This album first introduced me to Silverchair, and it blew me away. 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. 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. .

Great Album
One of the best Silverchair albums ever. This is an amazing album. They are so amazing!!!.

Silverchair Continue Progression on NEON BALLROOM...4.5 stars...
Their debut was a fierce blend of aggression and angst packaged neatly in nuggets of throttling guitar rock. 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. 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.
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You can see a complete list of all Silverchair discography, or go back to the Silverchair tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.