Diorama

Diorama (U.S. Version) by Silverchair

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The early word was that Silverchair--who at one time could have adopted the hip-hop moniker Lil' Nirvana--on their long-awaited fourth album had morphed into the antipodean Radiohead. But that's a bit of a stretch. Diorama, the band's first release in three years, instead finds the Australian trio shedding the hollow teen angst and beefy riffs of its earlier records in favor of epic melodies, meaningful lyrics, and a markedly more refined sound. The results are staggering. Featuring an orchestra section arranged by Van Dyke Parks, "The Greatest View" is a sweeping and soulful anthem. "World upon Your Shoulders" is a Guns 'N' Roses-caliber power ballad--and that's no bad thing, either. And "Without You" exhibits a determined, gripping delicacy not seen since, well, the last Radiohead album. Another giant leap forward. --Aidin Vaziri