Post by degymngmt on Apr 4, 2007 19:37:43 GMT -5
Flickerstick: 'Band on the Run'
Reality TV product drops 'Live from Atlanta,' offers creative lyrics, melodies
Alex Angell
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: The Mix
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Flickerstick, who made its debut winning a record deal on reality television in 2001, just released its newest and third album, "Live from Atlanta."
Before the rise of "American Idol," the concept of a band gaining even remotely substantial success through a television show was for the most part unheard of. In 2001, after winning a record deal with Epic on VH1's reality show "Bands on the Run," Flickerstick proved it was capable of doing just that.
Flickerstick is not a band of shredders, nor is it a band with much aggression. Rather, it prefers to construct catchy songs with its amalgamation of U2-esque anthem rock and ambient space rock. The band's third and newest release, "Live from Atlanta," shows Flickerstick's ability as a powerful and tight live band. The opener "Whatever Gets You Off," like many of Flickerstick's songs, has many characteristics of maudlin mope-rock such as slow and clumsy strumming and expressively wavering vocals highly reminiscent of Muse, but here the formula is structured so effectively that none of said qualities are cringe-worthy. The organ-driven "Smile," one of Flickerstick's video-accompanied singles, is stellar as a live recording.
The songs are generally slow to mid-tempo until the fifth track, "Do You See the World?" which shows Flickerstick's ability to write a fast rock song, albeit one that gives many nods to late-period U2. "Coke," a song Flickerstick has played since the Bands on the Run days, is played with more emotion and poignancy than before, and is still a standout track. "Contract Killers" is an energetic pop-rock number that many will love and others will claim to sound as if Gin Blossoms covered "New Year's Day" by U2. "Clocks," not a Coldplay cover, is one of Flickerstick's darker and more ambient songs in its tradition of youthful space rock. There is an interesting effects-laden jam near the end of the song that will undoubtedly receive many revisits. "Sorry" is a pleasing and pop-oriented ballad with space rock tendencies in the verses that will appeal to many. Their 9-minute "Direct Line" closes the live set. It is a sprawling, dark, ambient and haunting piece that brings both Porcupine Tree and Jupiter-era Cave In to mind. Vocalist and guitarist Brandin Lea emotes on this track in a way that is unmatched by the other songs. Also, the creative use of effects by Lea, Rex Ewing and Tim Locke takes a front seat to the notes and chords themselves.
The closing track on the album, studio-recorded "Helicopter," is much more pop-oriented than the material in the live set, but is not a complete diversion from Flickerstick's trademark sound. Flickerstick may not appeal to those who have an aversion to generally pleasing music, but after a few listens, the nuances and subtleties will shine through, showing five young and brilliant songwriters with the ability to blow the doors off of every venue they enter, and still sell its own merchandise after the show.
Reality TV product drops 'Live from Atlanta,' offers creative lyrics, melodies
Alex Angell
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: The Mix
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Flickerstick, who made its debut winning a record deal on reality television in 2001, just released its newest and third album, "Live from Atlanta."
Before the rise of "American Idol," the concept of a band gaining even remotely substantial success through a television show was for the most part unheard of. In 2001, after winning a record deal with Epic on VH1's reality show "Bands on the Run," Flickerstick proved it was capable of doing just that.
Flickerstick is not a band of shredders, nor is it a band with much aggression. Rather, it prefers to construct catchy songs with its amalgamation of U2-esque anthem rock and ambient space rock. The band's third and newest release, "Live from Atlanta," shows Flickerstick's ability as a powerful and tight live band. The opener "Whatever Gets You Off," like many of Flickerstick's songs, has many characteristics of maudlin mope-rock such as slow and clumsy strumming and expressively wavering vocals highly reminiscent of Muse, but here the formula is structured so effectively that none of said qualities are cringe-worthy. The organ-driven "Smile," one of Flickerstick's video-accompanied singles, is stellar as a live recording.
The songs are generally slow to mid-tempo until the fifth track, "Do You See the World?" which shows Flickerstick's ability to write a fast rock song, albeit one that gives many nods to late-period U2. "Coke," a song Flickerstick has played since the Bands on the Run days, is played with more emotion and poignancy than before, and is still a standout track. "Contract Killers" is an energetic pop-rock number that many will love and others will claim to sound as if Gin Blossoms covered "New Year's Day" by U2. "Clocks," not a Coldplay cover, is one of Flickerstick's darker and more ambient songs in its tradition of youthful space rock. There is an interesting effects-laden jam near the end of the song that will undoubtedly receive many revisits. "Sorry" is a pleasing and pop-oriented ballad with space rock tendencies in the verses that will appeal to many. Their 9-minute "Direct Line" closes the live set. It is a sprawling, dark, ambient and haunting piece that brings both Porcupine Tree and Jupiter-era Cave In to mind. Vocalist and guitarist Brandin Lea emotes on this track in a way that is unmatched by the other songs. Also, the creative use of effects by Lea, Rex Ewing and Tim Locke takes a front seat to the notes and chords themselves.
The closing track on the album, studio-recorded "Helicopter," is much more pop-oriented than the material in the live set, but is not a complete diversion from Flickerstick's trademark sound. Flickerstick may not appeal to those who have an aversion to generally pleasing music, but after a few listens, the nuances and subtleties will shine through, showing five young and brilliant songwriters with the ability to blow the doors off of every venue they enter, and still sell its own merchandise after the show.
I think not.