Silverchair Young Modern CD

Since the release of its 1995 debut, "Frogstomp," which came out when its three members were 15, Silverchair has been the most popular rock band in its native Australia. Silverchair's last album 'Diorama' (2002) debuted at No. 1 in Australia and took home six awards at the Arias, the Australian equivalent of the Grammys. Rolling Stone critic David Fricke, who has followed the band since its beginning cites the fealty of early emotionally engaged fans, for whom Silverchair has "almost been preserved as that band from the '90s, even though musically that's not the case." He likens Silverchair to Pearl Jam in that its intentions and talent inspire a loyalty that transcends radio play. "Young Modern" marks the band's return from a long hiatus and confirmation that, despite rampant rumors, Silverchair had not split. During the break, Johns married fellow Aussie singing superstar Natalie Imbruglia and the pair moved to the U.K. The stunning new album has been produced by Van Dyke Parks, best known for his collaborations with Brian Wilson. Parks, 64, compares Johns to Wilson: "This kid has as much moxie as Brian did at that age. He is a most singular talent. Silverchair has a lot more to offer than people give them credit for." Indeed, the new album spans several styles, but the phantasmagorical grandeur of "If You Keep Losing Sleep" makes My Chemical Romance's "Welcome to the Black Parade" seem tame.