9/10
As one of Australia's most successful musical outfits, Silverchair were one of the most world-renowned names in the emerging grunge movement of the mid-90s, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album 'Frogstomp', the record has been fully remastered and now includes a bundle of bonus tracks including alternate and live versions of songs from the album. But does it still stand up as one of the best rock records of the 90s or has time taken its toll?
Surprisingly not, as from the first track to the last, you can still feel the raw and unbridled passion that these musicians had for their music. Continuing to resonate a time and feel of what Generation X stood for, 'Frogstomp' has remarkably held its ground as one of the most forward-thinkning records of the decade, given what we now know about popular rock music. However, the need for the live tracks are what let it down somewhat. While it may seem like a good idea to recapture the live sound of a band in their formative years, it's not the best recordings nor is it a particularly impressive performance.
But nonetheless, the beefed up quality of this album still remains a cornerstone of modern rock music, and in its newly remastered shell, it sounds brighter and bolder than ever. While Silverchair may not have maintained the legacy they once had, 'Frogstomp' will always be their mark on the world's music stage.