Welcoming Home the Astronauts

Flickerstick

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005R5SN
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,740 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Chances are, most people who've heard of Flickerstick first caught them on VH1's Bands on the Run. After going on a national tour before all of cable-ready America, the Dallas-based quintet beat the other unsigned acts on the music channel's "reality show" contest, sitting pretty with $50,000 in winnings and a deal with Epic Records. Welcoming Home the Astronauts is Flickerstick's double debut, coming out on an indie label in 2000 and getting wider exposure once the major label signed the champions. The album is a pretty generic package of power pop and power ballads (close your eyes on "You're So Hollywood" and you can almost picture some '80s hair-metal act singing the same song, minus the handclaps), with a bit of Brit rock laced in the floaty guitar effects--nothing to give the current crop of mainstream rockers a run for their money. That said, though, the songs are well structured for big guitar pop and well produced, with the help of Tom Lord Alge (Weezer, Blink-182, Marilyn Manson). Astronauts packs stadium-size anthems into every song, and the band's emotions run so high you'll be waving the lighter many times before the slow jam on "Direct Line to the Telepathic" has even started. -- Jennifer Maerz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best band you've probably never heard!, June 14, 2001

By	"gravyfiend" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcoming Home the Astronauts (Audio CD)

While many people are familiar with flickerstick from VH1's Bands on the Run, their music remains unknown to most people. After listening to this album several times, I have come to the conclusion that there is not a single bad song on it. Filled with classic pop rock songs like Chloroform, Coke, and Beautiful, the cd is very radio friendly. However, with sligtly lengthy and at times pshychadelic tracks such as Direct Line to the Telepathic and Lift, the album ... you in and doesn't let you down for a single second. I live in Oklahoma, and have been fortunate enough to see Flickerstick live. May I just say that Flickerstick is by far one of the best shows I've seen, even compared to acts like Dave Matthews Band. By far one of my favorite cds, you shouldn't do without Flickerstick!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcoming Home a Phenomenal CD!, July 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Welcoming Home the Astronauts (Audio CD)

In a word, this CD and the band are fantastic. I had the recent pleasure of seeing them perform in Cleveland. If not for VH1's Band on the Run series I would have never even had the idea of checking out Flickerstick. Every song on this CD is stellar. Their live show is as passionate and musically rich as one would desire from a band...and more. Every time I listen to the CD, I'm just amazed at how good it really is. Brandin Lea's voice is passionate, Rex Ewing's guitar playing is top notch, and the entire production is worthwhile of a major-label release (which I understand they recently signed to Epic). Hopefully, it will get the recognition it truly deserves. It's unfortunate that the VH1 series never played their songs - or even a large part of the their live show - in their entirety. You will NOT be dissappointed! Give this one a listen and you'll know what I mean...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flickerstick hits the big time, October 14, 2001

By	Gloria Urbina (Holyoke, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcoming Home the Astronauts (Audio CD)

Like most new fans of the group, I too got hooked while watching them on the VHI Bands on the Run series. Not only were they the most colorful personalities, but after listening to their CD, I feel they are just as talented as they are dramatic. I can only imagine how good their live show is and can not wait for them to come further North to check them out. Welcoming Home the Astronauts takes the listener on quite a ride from the rocking "Beautiful" and "You're so Hollywood" to the power ballad "Direct Line to the Telepathic," with twists and turns from the likes of "Coke" and "Chloroform the One That You Love." So sit back and enjoy the ride, my friends, and hope it lasts for a while.