Silverchair Web Mobilization:
August 2002: While Silverchair lead singer Daniel Johns is recuperating from viral arthritis, the band's fans have mobilized on the web to spread the word about the band's new album Diorama. You can join the Silverchair online i-squad by clicking on the banner below!
Online petition for good music:
I have just read and signed the online petition:
"Promotion for silverchair's new album, Diorama" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/diorama/
I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.
Other Links:
Silverchair Official web site link - Chairpage
Silverchair's International record label - Atlantic Records
Silverchair Australian record label - Eleven: A Music Company
"Swim to Australia to see them if you have to."
--Bono of U2
Here is my personal opinion of Diorama:
Silverchair: Not Just a Rock Band Anymore
Thrasher/metalhead/moshpit punk that I am, I was wary of Silverchair's fourth album after hearing on their official website that the hard-chargers from Oz weren't 'just a rock band' anymore. But considering Silverchair's basic assets (a versatile, ultra-roughouse bass and drums team and a splendidly expressive lead singer), I had faith that my favorite Aussie superband would not let me down. I'm used to Silverchair putting out near-perfect albums where I love every track - I can't say that is true of their latest. There are a couple of overdone tracks on Diorama where songwriter Daniel Johns sounds like he's begging music critics to finally take him seriously. But overall, my faith in Silverchair is confirmed. At the heart of Diorama are a handful of stoned-cold musical knockouts--breath-taking, beautiful music from a still young prodigy who aspires to greatness. The best songs are 'Without You', 'World Upon Your Shoulders', 'My Favourite Thing' and 'After All These Years'. (Another superb track from the Australian import, 'Asylum', is not on the U.S version.) Listening to past, more furious Silverchair records, you might think Daniel Johns was a hopelessly distressed young man. On Diorama, we find out that the singer uses music to amplify his emotions. When Daniel Johns is mad, he is really mad. And when he is feeling good, his exhilaration can just sweep you away. This is a great album to listen to at the ocean, surrounded by white waves crashing over rocks. Or even better, standing on a long, fog-banked fishing pier. Take it from a rebellious, cynical moshpit thrasherpunk like me, if sometimes you are just feeling a little too cynical, rebellious and all-around bummed out, this album can really improve your mood.
Which isn't to say that Silverchair can't still swing a sledgehammer with the best of them. Flanked by his rough-and-tumble bandmates Chris Joannou and Ben Gillies, Johns shows on 'One Way Mule' he can take on that Korn guy for scary metal monster honors any night. Funny, though, I can't imagine Korn or Bizkit or Helmet ever breaking into a sacred, luminous ballad like 'After All These Years'.
Early in their career, some critics accused Silverchair of imitating Nirvana. More than ever, I'm convinced that was a load (and a cheap shot) for one basic reason. Silverchair do not hold their fans in contempt the way Kurt Cobain did. On the contrary, no band could make music like Diorama unless they loved and cared about the people they are making music for.
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Most of the words I've seen used to describe Silverchair's new album wouldn't make me want to buy it. Words like 'lush' and 'melodic' make me cringe: I go to rock concerts to have my brain waves erased and to get banged up in the mosh pit, not for melody. And when reviewers mention 'strings' and 'orchestration', I say if you're gonna use violins, you better be as good as Johannes Brahms or else I don't want to hear it. I'm not quite ready to compare Daniel Johns to Brahms, though I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were one or two strands from the master's double-helix floating around Daniel's DNA. Rather than try to describe this indescribable album, I'll describe my reactions to it. I'm just amazed. The sounds are running through my blood like some kind of musical anti-toxin. I was in the most pissed-off mood; I sat on the bank of the river at sunset, and after llstening to Diorama I felt healed. I read the lyric sheet and thought, this is clever, wise and beautiful poetry. I listened to the luminous piano ballad "After All These Years" over and over and just fell in love with the song. This is not what I was looking for, it's just what I found. I only bought this album out of faith in my favorite band-three good kids with tons of energy and talent. What can I say? They lived up to my faith in them.
It'll be tough to market Diorama in the States, for sure, because Silverchair just isn't a pre-packaged teeny-bopper band anymore. The marketing team may have to be as innovative as the band, but I'm sure there are several million people in the U.S. who would love this album.
November 2002: Daniel Johns' health is much better. The band played live at the Australian ARIA's and has announced an Australian tour. In the face of zero promotional support from Silverchair's American label, the American fans are doing their best. There really is no excuse for a multi-platinum band selling so few units in a prime market-just lazy, crappy promotion. I understand business is business, but why sign a band and then not promote them? Is that good business? The fans have actually been doing more than the label to promote the new album in the States.
