From their third album (Neon Ballroom) onward, the band have tried to experiment with slightly more complex song structures, pop influences, and the usage of orchestral backing on a few songs, most notably on their fourth album Diorama with composer Van Dyke Parks contributing to three of the tracks. This change is shown on their performance in their only live album "Live At Faraway Stables" where the band plays two sets - the first comprising newer material where they are backed by two keyboardists to simulate orchestral arrangements, and the second containing their earlier material.
2007 saw the release of the band's latest album Young Modern, featuring the lead single Straight Lines; the song reached number one on the ARIA singles charts. The album was supported by a full tour of North America (their first since 1999), and an extensive tour of Australia and New Zealand with fellow Aussie post-grunge rockers Powderfinger, entitled "Across the Great Divide."
To quote Daniel Johns, "I've been thinking a lot since we finished [[album artist=Silverchair]Young Modern] about where this fits into the other stuff we've done. The way I see it, the first album was naivete, the second one was anger, the third one was depression and the last one was escapism. Young Modern is all about acceptance."
The band announced an indefinite hiatus in May 2011:
"We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then ... if the band stops being fun and if it's no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop. [...] Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment. Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we're putting Silverchair into "indefinite hibernation" and we've decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future".
โDaniel, Ben and Chris, chairpage.com (Silverchair Official Website), 25 May 2011.
Members:
* Daniel Johns (vocals, guitar)
* Chris Joannou (bass)
* Ben Gillies (drums)
Albums:
* Tomorrow (EP) (1994)
* Frogstomp (1995)
* Freak Show (1997)
* Neon Ballroom (1999)
* The Best Of - Volume One (2000)
* Diorama (2002)
* Rarities 1994-1999 (2002)
* Live From Faraway Stables (2CD & DVD) (2003)
* Young Modern (2007)
Spawn Again
Silverchair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As death from old age becomes nearer
Why can't the livestock be free
When trading soldiers for steak
Learn to evolve with the new transition
To act upon a hypocritical vision
And in with the new
Discard the old
In with the fashion
Learn to evolve with the new transition
To act upon a hypocritical vision
Learn to evolve
Learn to
Learn to evolve
Who is the bad guy for iron require mince?
These are the facts so eat what you murder
This is animal liberation
Eight billion killed for human pleasure
Bring on the ape farm
Demolish the monkeys
Drink up, drink up
Look down on junkies
A new hypocritical look and ambition
The time has come to make the decision, you
Drink up, Drink up
Look down
I'll hold it back
I'll hold it back
Oh!
Discard the old in with the fashion
Death becomes clearer through bloodshot eyes
Oh, death becomes clearer through bloodshot eyes
In "Spawn Again," Silverchair touches upon a number of themes, including animal liberation, hypocritical thinking, and the inevitability of death. The lyrics suggest that death becomes more apparent as one grows older and one's mortality becomes harder to ignore. The mystery and fear surrounding death is amplified when seen through "bloodshot eyes," suggesting a physical and emotional toll that can make one feel more acutely aware of their mortality.
The lyrics also speak to animal cruelty, as the band asks why livestock can't be free and advocates for animal liberation. They criticize the practice of trading soldiers for steak, implying a lack of humanity and morality. Silverchair suggests that we need to learn to evolve with the times and have a more progressive, ethical approach to the way we live our lives.
Additionally, the song raises questions around hypocrisy and suggests that we need to act on our ideals and be more authentic in our actions. This can be seen in the line "To act upon a hypocritical vision," which implies that having values and beliefs without putting them into action is a shallow and superficial approach to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Death becomes clearer through bloodshot eyes
As one gets older and closer to death, mortality becomes more evident
Why can't the livestock be free
Questioning why animals cannot be free and not used for human consumption
When trading soldiers for steak
Questioning why society values animal products over the lives of soldiers
Learn to evolve with the new transition
Adapting to societal changes and advancements
To act upon a hypocritical vision
Taking actions that contradict one's beliefs and values
Discard the old
Get rid of old beliefs and practices
And in with the new
Embracing new beliefs and practices
Who is the bad guy for iron require mince?
Questioning who is responsible for the slaughter of animals for meat
These are the facts so eat what you murder
Acknowledging the reality of meat consumption and the killing of animals for food
This is animal liberation
Expressing the belief in the freedom of animals and an end to their exploitation
Eight billion killed for human pleasure
Highlighting the staggering number of animals killed for meat consumption
Bring on the ape farm
Sarcastically suggesting the idea of exploiting and imprisoning apes like other animals
Demolish the monkeys
Suggesting the elimination of monkeys and other animals that are considered inferior to humans
Drink up, drink up
Exhorting to consume alcohol to distract from the harsh reality of animal exploitation
Look down on junkies
Expressing disdain for those addicted to drugs, while overlooking the addiction to animal products
A new hypocritical look and ambition
Describing the emergence of a new, contradictory perspective and values
The time has come to make the decision, you
Implying that change is necessary and it is up to the listener to take action
I'll hold it back, oh!
Expressing frustration with the reluctance of society to acknowledge the harsh realities of animal exploitation
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DANIEL JOHNS, BEN GILLIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheLeon1032
at 40 I'm coming back to this in 2020 vision and its clear as day to me that this tune is pure unstoppable Meat. how strange to forget about a band for 18 or so years then randomly find it and realise you know every beat and lyric instantly, what a buzz to be alive, Top 10 albums of all time for me, thanks Silverchair
Sarcass
@Harris Ejaz hahahhaha for real?
Harris Ejaz
I know that feel bro. '81 here
Wild Turkey
This is sick, I wish they had more songs like this.
Chadwick McFaggins
Listen to their album Freak Show
Dan Gould
I was just thinking the same thing! Daniel has such an amazing voice!
eden fowkes
I mean the whole album has the same sort of meanings. His eating disorders and what the whole world eats kind of thing. Try learn to hate or no Association
DogsGoneDandy
Jesus Lizard influence on point
Kevin Smith
Wild Turkey Can hear some TOOL influence in this :)
lucas cain
2:53 when I first heard that ending. Was so stoked! Silver chair never sounded that heavy! Except madman!