Accordingly it marks a change in direction for the band. Bassist Chris Joannou says the album is "so different. As different as Freak Show (1997) was to Frogstomp, as big a step that was, this is an even bigger one." The big change is the obvious sophistication of some of the songs which, not surprisingly, are the standouts on Neon Ballroom.
The opening track, 'Emotion Sickness', is a prime example of this and also a superb song. It includes accompaniment by eccentric Australian pianist David Helfgott (subject of the movie Shine) in what is a move away from the straight rock approach. "I'm more proud of that than I've ever been of any song I've written," singer-songwriter Daniel Johns comments.
'Ana's Song' is similarly creative and is actually about Johns' struggle with anorexia (abbreviated to Ana). Thus he explains: "It's not actually a love tune. It's written with the intention of people perceiving that it's a love song. It's about an obsession, whether it's an eating disorder or whether it's a distorted image of one's self." The other songs in this sophisticated mould include 'Miss You Love', a ballad, the louder 'Black Tangled Heart' and 'Paint Pastel Princess'. Refinement and melody are common to all these songs.
The rest of the album is weaker as it lacks these qualities (in varying degrees). 'Anthem for the Year 2000' sounds good, but the lyrics are just puerile. Interestingly Johns said this about writing the album: "I wrote about 150 poems, then got what I thought were the most captivating words and stuck them together. With the last two albums, the lyrics are really straightforward and powerful, but with this album I wanted to do something totally different." "We are the youth we'll take your fascism away/We are the youth apologise for another day," Johns sings. There's nothing subtle about that.
Equally unsubtle is 'Spawn Again' a song about animal liberation. It is very heavy and sounds very similar to something off Bleach (by the band's hero group Nirvana). Nonetheless, after a few listens, it is enjoyable. 'Satin Sheets', though it sounds a bit different, is just as heavy and of the same standard.
Combined with all this are a number of poor songs. 'Dearest Helpless', 'Do You Feel the Same' and 'Point of View' are quite heavy and don't seem to go anywhere. Still they are
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