Silverchair - Diorama

What a change! I grew up with Silverchair, inspired by their youth and simple rock focus. I feel I should be insulted by the rock opera Silverchair has thrown at me, but I'm not. This is by far Silverchair's greatest musical achievement, and anyone who can't stomach it is missing out on one of the best albums this year. Tastes change with age, and there's no better evidence of this than Diorama. To actually call it a "rock opera", I feel, is an insult - for I abhor musicals, and wouldn't dare put it into that category. Yet, all signs point to genuine storytelling, dynamic style changes, thick symphony overload, and orchestral tendencies - basically, everything Frogstomp was not. What makes this album so different from my worst fear then? Cheese. Diorama sounds honest, yet doesn't "pretend" to be. Daniel Johns doesn't change his voice to imitate characters, insert comic relief for a response, and doesn't "overact" his parts. He simply tells his story vocally and lyrically without pushing the emotion overboard - same applies for the music. Horns, strings, harpsichord, and occasional guitar are all unexpected, but in place with deadly accuracy. Diorama is a feat, and should be heard in its entirely by all that can handle it. My only fear is that it may kill their career making music for the masses. The "masses" would love this album, if only they let themselves. Diorama may not be a great Silverchair rock album, but instead surpasses my expectations as a well orchestrated, feel-good work of art. [www.silverchairnet.com]