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If you’ve ever watched VH1’s Bands on the Run, then you’ve heard and definitely seen the debauchery known as Flickerstick. This television series showcased a band drinking to oblivion and waking in late afternoon, living the rock ‘n’ roll excesses without yet being famous. I think that’s why I liked them so much. Welcoming Home the Astronauts is the official debut album from the band.
What really makes the band is the strong vocals of front man, Brandon Lea. He is Flickerstick. The other guys in the band are talented to a point. Their weakest member, however, is drummer Dominic Weir. There is nothing complex about his rhythms. He can keep a beat, but there is no ingenuity behind the sticks. I believe my arthritic 90-year-old grandmother could come up with something catchier. Fletcher Lea, Rex James Ewing, and Cory Kreig round out the band. They have dead-on back up vocals — it’s a real credit to a five-piece band when four members can sing. This can be witnessed in the song “Chloroform the One You Love.”
“Beautiful” was showcased the most on the television show. It too has powerful vocals, which carry the song over the top. The first real problem I have starts with the song “Sorry…Wrong Trajectory.” It has sound effects echoing throughout the beginning. Whoever told the band that odd sound effects were a good idea and sold them on it makes me wonder who was holding the crack pipe. This becomes a real issue in the second half of the disc — it distracts from the musical ambience that has been created, especially in “Direct Line To The Telepathic.” Phones ringing, operators talking. What’s the point? Just stick with the music.
For the first CD, Welcoming Home the Astronauts isn’t bad. It’s just not top-quality. If you see it in the bargain area of the store, buy it then. Otherwise, just save your money because you are not missing the next big thing.
