Flick - Iron Bottom Sound
Label: Red Ink/Columbia Records
Style: Rock 'n' Roll
Released: 2004
My Grade: 4.5 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: Collective Soul, Supergrass, Johnny Q. Public


There is only one term that really works for Flick, because they are not ‘alternative rock’ or ‘pop/rock’ or any other combination – they are truly a rock and roll band in the truest nineties sense of the word. Sure the nineties are done and gone, but that does not mean the sound has died, its alive and well in Flick’s latest album ‘Iron Bottom Sound’.

Some of you may remember Flick from 1990 - right when they made a semi-splash on the alternative rock charts with the songs “There You Go (False You)” or “Freezerburn” although neither of them reached the top 100. Or you might remember Flick because of the lead guitarist’s (Oran Thorton) other band, the seminal Johnny Q Public. No? Well, now would be a great time to learn about them.

Throughout all the label turnovers, and artists complaining about the industry’s stifling effect on albums and release dates there has been Flick, slowly moving and transforming themselves, content to be on a label that releases their music and a label that is content to release their music without a shove for instant stardom. How this combination ever happened, and how it can possibly work in today’s market is anybody’s guess – but here it is.

Iron Bottom Sound is the perfect example of an amazing album, classical vocals, sweeping choruses and bombastic riffs that blend together in rock harmony. Starting off with the heavy, almost Smashing Pumpkins-esque track “Monster” – a two minute swamp attack into a twisted world; the chilling wordplay lasts for only two lines, but that is enough to kick the album off to a smashing start - “You are/you are my apocalypse woman/yes I’m/I am the fortunate one”. The album rolls right into “Sad Song Symphony” a sarcastic take on the music industry that is classic Flick.

The rest of the album tunnels straight through a set of songs strong enough for a stadium, and classy enough to last forever as rock nostalgia. The songs might catch your attention as sounding familiar, yet not, something welcoming like and older brother returning home. One of my personal favorite tracks would be “Alive & Well” the perfect love song about everything being wonderful for the moment that he is with his love; aww, so sappy!

Somehow Flick has managed to survive label mergers, boy bands, nu-metal and every other classic failing in the industry to come out with a strong follow up to their classic debut album. Sure it sounds different, the vocals are slightly more mature and gritty and the hot female bassist is long gone, but that’s what happens when your in a band, things change and mature. It would be a huge mistake on your part to not pick up a copy of this release. Trust me, it is that good.

Reviewed by: Samuel Aaron