Klaus Flouride

The solo album by the former bassist of the Dead Kennedys is far removed from that band's dark, brutal punk. The Light Is Flickering is full of melodic guitar pop songs, with occasional synthesizers and samples to provide colors and textures. If the lyrical content can get occasionally mocking, such as the opener, "Dancing With Shauna Grant" (about a suicidal porn star), Flouride is also capable of moments of emotional depth. "Ships Upon the Bay" is an extended song in which Flouride uses minimalist guitar and synth patterns to suggest a city in twilight. Similarly, "Scartlet Ribbons" uses a simple keyboard riff to create a haunting instrumental. Flouride plays almost all of the instruments, displaying an impressive musical dexterity. There are moments of occasionally tiresome quirkiness (such as the silly "Uncle Bill," which goes on far too long), but the album is a successful attempt to stretch Flouride's artistic style and should have an audience far beyond Dead Kennedys fans. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide