Sometimes reviewing discs involves some outside input. Last week, we had a mellow little kegger in this, an average University town, Anywhere, USA. I had been half- heartedly listening to The Perfect Kellulight for a few days and wanted to secure some reactions from people I know and respect. We tapped the Yuengling Lager and Michelob, started the music playing, and proceeded to drink, be merry, and court in that strange, Gen-X way that few of us really understand. There was a light breeze and a song in my heart.

Eventually the disc changer rolled over to Flick. My friend and compatriot- in- crime sat on the back steps, head in his hands, looking dejected. I sidled up next to him and asked what was wrong. He replied: "I'm beat, man, and this music ain't helping." We went on to talk about it, a few others joining the consensus to move onto greener musical pastures. Flick had been gonged at my kegger, a development that, rather than simplifying this review, proved to complicate matters further.

Y'see, The Perfect Kellulight is what's called "Modern Rock" by people so inclined to classify these things. Indeed, the record has a small taste of most of the "modern rock" conventions floating around today; some Marcy Playground, the occasional pinch of post- Nirvana distortion, and an assload of Radiohead. Trevor Thornton's voice shares more than a few common characteristics with Radiohead's Thom Yorke: it's annoying, squeaky and the word "whine" would not be altogether off-base. However, where Radiohead manages to craft incredibly complex and rich tracks that utilize Yorke's vocals to true potential, Flick come across as poseurs looking for their niche.

Simply put, Flick is still a young band clearly seeking out the best use for their talents. The Perfect Kellulight is a competent but generally bland album that shines when the band lets the energy fly, but is marred by dragging, melancholy moments. Flick are clearly worth keeping an eye on, but the only people I'd recommend this record to are truly rabid Radiohead fans looking for... well... a band that sounds like Radiohead.

-James P. Wisdom