Music Review by Bill Rendall
Diorama - Silverchair
Few bands have changed their sound as dramatically and successfully as Silverchair have with Diorama. They enjoyed early success with a sound that owed a lot to grunge bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Then Daniel Johns took creative control of the band and steered them in a new direction.
Neon Ballroom is the album that marks the transition point in the band's career. It contains musically adventurous songs which point the way ahead but also includes a couple of hard rockers in the style of earlier Silverchair.
Johns bravely exposes the dark side of his life in Neon Ballroom. He uses punning lyrics as black humour. The line "Ana wrecks your life" is a deeply touching reference to his battle with anorexia. The poignancy of the punning 'Emotion Sickness' is enhanced by the guest performance on piano by the emotionally troubled David Helfgott.
Silverchair followed up the blackness of Neon Ballroom with the brighter Diorama. Silverchair have matured as musicians and fully realised their potential in making Diorama. Johns uses a wide range of instruments as a colourful musical palette. The band's sound is augmented by orchestral backing on many tracks. There are also guest musicians, such as Jim Moginie from Midnight Oil, and Paul Mac who later collaborated with Johns as The Dissociatives.
All the tracks on Diorama are good but the centrepiece of the album, literally and metaphorically, is 'Tuna in the Brine.' This song is evidence of musical genius. It features an ambitious arrangement with an unconventional structure. Johns takes a big risk and it really pays off.
'Luv your Life' and 'My Favourite Thing' are light, optimistic songs which indicate that Johns is emerging from the darkness of the past. Fans of the early Silverchair sound have not been entirely ignored. 'One Way Mule' and 'The Lever' are grounded by heavy guitar riffing.
On hearing Johns singing 'After All These Years' at the end of the album it is easy to forget how young he is. There is no doubt he has packed in a lot of life experience into relatively few years.
Johns has found his own voice. In the past his vocal style has been influenced by grunge bands. On Diorama he sings higher and in a more theatrical melismatic style.
The liner notes of my copy of Diorama state that no pitch correction software was used. I am more interested in what effects and equipment were used in a recording rather than what was not used. Sure, pitch correction can result in artificial robotic vocals, but the same thing can be said about other effects which have been used to tweak vocals. Let the listeners judge for themselves if they care about it.
I admire the grandeur of Diorama. Johns has a vision which he has pursued regardless of any pressure to reproduce the formula that has been successful in the past.
Although the lyrics of Diorama indicate that Johns is more content with his life he was suffering from reactive arthritis around the time Diorama was released. This curtailed touring to promote the album. Diorama has sold well in Australia but hasn't had the success it deserves in the more lucrative US market.
The album cover of Diorama invites the listener into a colourful place.
Band members:
Daniel Johns - Guitar, Vocals
Chris Joannou - Bass
Ben Gillies - Drums