Coming off of the heels of an artistic commercial high from the previous For Those About to Rock and Back in Black releases, AC/DC go for a leaner and stripped down production in conjunction with a set of songs that are just as equally sharp and definitive as any of the better tunes on the aforementioned, previous releases. The Young brothers co-produced this set with engineer Tony Platt and although Phil Rudd would exit from behind his kit and the band well into the next decade, he turns in a solid, consistent and powerful performance. Opening with Rising Power, a number that contains a sinister riff and groove to its ilk, it hears the band firing on all tried and true cylinders and makes for a satisfying listen, leading the way for the solid, This House is on Fire and the raving title track. Nervous Shakedown is a mid-paced number that brims with a slow groove that grows on you after repeated listens. Landslide and Brain Shake are a bit similar in tempo and arrangement, but contain all of the hallmarks of typical AC/DC hyper energy displayed in terms of speed and raunchy power riffs from the duo of Angus and brother Malcolm.

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Brian Johnson's vocal performance is nothing but of a consistent, piercing wail and settles in for another strong entry on his 3rd album with the band. I do prefer Bon Scott's voice overall, but Brian, obviously, has to be given props for carrying the flag up into the present day and though some albums like Razors' Edge, Fly on the Wall and Ballbreaker have their moments of cringe-worthy lesser value, on Flick, he's proven himself as being in for the long haul for better or worse. Guns for Hire, Bedlam in Belgium and Badlands are also noteworthy tracks that are of a varying quality in tempo and sonic attack. "Hire" has the pattened AC/DC sound molded in much the same way as past numbers such as Sin City or Squealer. Badlands is in the same vein of Nervous Shakedown and some fans may not acknowledge this number as being worthy, but I find it likable and consistent within the context of the record. Deep in the Hole is essentially, a throw away number and is the weakest entry on here; very repetitive chorus and not too much of a solid, melodic hook to sink into. I think in the wake of the previous 2 releases, Flick is unfairly regarded as substandard; and truth be told, I always felt "For Those About to Rock" as being a lot of hot air and riding on the coat-tails of the classic Back in Black. My personal opinion is, had "Flick" followed "Black", circumstances might well have been different in terms of how this album would have been judged. Underrated release. 

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Rating Grade- A-