While the new record from Australia's very own Silverchair probably won't make my best-of list at the end of the year, it is certainly a worthy effort and positively the most amazing album the threesome have ever recorded. Given Silverchair's other efforts, you're probably thinking this isn't saying much. The fact is, Diorama is so distinctively different from any of their previous albums, that you'd swear this is a different band. With it's big, lush orchestrations like the opening track "Across the Night," Silverchair has shown a maturity that I for one didn't think possible.

This isn't to say that I hated them before, but like many others, I always felt they were sort of riding on the coat tails of the grunge movement. Much credit should go to Producer David Bottrill, but it is the innovative Daniel Johns who really dazzles the listener with his skilled guitar work and surprisingly matured lyrics. Sadly, Johns has been plagued with arthritis, forcing him to limit his playing time and putting on hold any hope of a tour. I find it ironic that with Diorama, Silverchair have proven themselves to be major players, and they can't even hit the road to show off their new creative chops.