Young Modern | Silverchair | Album Review

16 Apr 8 comments

****

I have to admit, the first few times I listened to the first single from the new Silverchair album, Young Modern, I wasn't all that impressed. Yet I found the chorus addictive and found myself singing it at the most inopportune of times. Clearly then, Young Modern was an album that demanded I give it some more attention.

I've got the entire Silverchair catalogue, and there's no doubt that there is has been a gradual progression in the bands sound. The early albums were very much classic/heavy rock inspired, however over time the sound has grown, no longer as heavy, but far more intricate.

Young Modern is the logical progression of Diorama. At times the tracks remind me of a grand 1960's musical with orchestration and harmony akin to the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds album. My favourite track from the album is the three part epic, "Those Thieving Birds (Part 1) / Strange Behaviour / Those Thieving Birds (Part 2)". It has a little bit of everything.It's ambitious, sweeping and any other words you can think of that would describe something a big and slightly left of centre.

Initially I was inclined to write Young Modern off as an album that would have been released by The Dissociatives had they taken off globally. But in hindsight that was unfair. Young Modern has grown on me like a fungus.

If your after Frogstomp or Freakshow era Silverchair then this album will disappoint. However, if your after something a little more on the theatrical rock side, this will definitely float your boat.

Filed under: CD Reviews
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8 Responses to “Young Modern | Silverchair | Album Review”

  1. AvatarKelly
    Posted: Apr 19th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
    1

    I agree, a logical progression from Diorama, which was a piece of musical genius. Quite honestly, I don’t put this on the same level, although i’m only just beginning to dissect this album and these things often take time! A very random and quirky album, however anybody with any musicality whatsoever should recognize that this is brilliant in its own way and appreciate it for what it is. For eclectic and open-minded people only, otherwise it will be disregarded as rubbish, which is a real shame. Having said that, i’ve only read 2 negative reviews. This clearly is an either ‘love or hate’ album.
  2. Avatarswollenpickles
    Posted: Apr 20th, 2007 at 12:12 am
    2

    I think the important thing is not to write this album of after just one listen. You need to give it a little more time.
  3. Avatarsickr
    Posted: Apr 21st, 2007 at 9:52 pm
    3

    This is the most eccentric album I’ve had the pleasure to listen to for ages.

    -Sickr
  4. AvatarBones
    Posted: Jul 28th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
    4

    This album was just released here in the States this week. While I think it’s a step down from Diorama (easily the best Silverchair album out there and an awesome album in general), I find this album growing on me with each listen. It’s definitely worth picking up.
  5. AvatarBarney
    Posted: Aug 7th, 2007 at 5:47 am
    5

    The first time I heard the album I was really dissappointed. I was expecting a musical masterpiece like Diorama. After listening to the album and letting it grow on me I would have to say that as a whole it actually is on par with Diarama. I just think that it is a bit more random in that Diorama had a definite theme…almost like a (I hate to use this term) Concept album. I think that Young Modern is almost an homage to different types of music. For example, Young Modern station reminds me of the music that made Silverchair as a group. My favorite tracks are Thieving Birds, Low, Mind reader, All Across The World, and If you keep losing sleep. You might remember an early incarnation of the song in a live Dissociatives mp3. You have to give the lads credit!
  6. AvatarHana
    Posted: Aug 7th, 2007 at 7:06 am
    6

    What I find incredulous is that some people keep saying this is not grunge how can you expect something to be grunge when the cover of the album in itself announces something relatively pop and complex??

    The more I think about it the more I admire Daniel Johns, he has made very bold choices for someone who once sold 3 million albums as a teen he shows a lot of balls.

    Hat off to silverchair.
  7. Avatarswollenpickles
    Posted: Aug 7th, 2007 at 9:27 am
    7
    Author Comment

    Part of me misses the heavy rock style, but even though it is ‘pop’ I have to say, Young Modern is a top notch record. :P

  8. pingback pingback:
    Posted: Sep 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
    8
    Silverchair & Powderfinger (Across the Great Divide Tour) 19 September 2007 | Swollen Pickles

    [...] full sets with Silverchair coming out first. They played quite a few songs from their latest album, Young Modern, as well as a mix of their older stuff. The tracks from Young Modern really stood up well live. [...]
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