Silverchair: Across the Night--The Creation of Diorama

Chronicling the recording of Australian alternative rock band Silverchair's fourth album Diorama, this is an interesting behind-the-scenes peek into a comeback attempt for a young band whose popularity has waned since the late '90s. Comprised of Chris Joannou (bass), Ben Gillies (drums) and lanky lead singer Daniel Johns (who stopped taking antidepressants in 2000, and claims his newfound clarity has helped shape a different lyrical focus and sound for Diorama), Silverchair rose to prominence in 1995 with the release of their debut effort Frogstomp, recorded when the band members were all 15 years old. Sporting multiple camera angles and creative editing, Silverchair: Across the Night--The Creation of Diorama is divided into six sections (with plenty of tongue-in-cheek captions) that include taping demos (nine songs in two days!), pre-production (four weeks of practicing), studio recording and overdubbing, a trip to Los Angeles for mixing, and performances from a live concert at Australia's Big Day Out festivals. Silverchair fans will enjoy the boys' antics--Joannou's mugging for the camera, Gillies' inability to stand still, the lengthy ping pong games--and the new songs, driven by Johns' earnest, haunting voice. Presenting an exclusive look at a terrific band that has matured gracefully (early reviews of Diorama are heralding it as a great leap forward for the group), this DVD also features a discography and "The Greatest View" music video. Sure to be a popular addition, this is recommended. (J. Williams)