On the Silverchair thing: I don't know how anyone can say they don't push the envelope. Yeah, sure if you are still stuck in the early 90's Silverchair era. But to hear Neon Ballroom and espeically Diorama, and say they aren't unqiue, is quite ignorant. Daniel Johns is a very strong songwriter - he's a very talented guy. Respected musicians such a Van Dyke Parks has compared the man to Brian Wilson, thats a mighty comparison right there. I've heard some demo's that will be on their upcoming album, and it's really cool. To not like them because it's just not your taste of music, that's cool, but to discredit them on ability or talent is quite unwarranted.
I also think the Dissociatives are really cool, too. That's Daniel Johns' 'side project'.
www.myspace.com/thedissociatives
I also love alot of the bands mentioned in this thread and on this board as a whole, and I'm hardly a 'retarded office worker'. HAHA.
I do admitt though, that their management and labels way of promoting the guy's is quite shit. Makes them out to be a teen/top-20 outfit, which overshadows and demeams the music. which could play a part in the 'cool to hate' thing that they have. Shame.