Customer Reviews

Fire Blood Water (Dig)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While the members of the Living Blue have previously released material as the Blackouts, "Fire, Blood, Water" welcomes not only a name change, but a significant increase in memorable songs. Here, they are no longer "just" a garage rock revival band, but a band that can deliver intense, driving rock from a palette of sounds. The magnificent "Tell Me Leza" is plaintive, 80's-infused power pop. "Greenthumb" has a retro, slightly psychedelic feel with a groovy electric organ solo. "Conquistador" is a thumping, galloping slice of rock fun and a great closer. "State of Affairs," "Murderous Youth" and "Serrated Friend" are frantic, crunchy guitar numbers that instead of sounding uniform are all uniquely catchy and distinct.
Elsewhere, the disc is a bit less memorable, but in no way unenjoyable. Lead singer Stephen Ucherek's vocals have come into their own on this release, with his faux British accent and high-pitched inflections that manage to sound exciting rather than annoying. They seem much more confident than before, which really helps the material shine.
The Living Blue is an example of a band that plays music for fun's sake, and that's apparent on "Fire, Blood, Water." Like its name implies, the CD is intense yet flowing. Highly recommended for lovers of fast, guitar-driven rock.

What can I say about this album? It rocks from the thunderous opener "State of Affairs" to the slithery, swampy rhythm's of "Conquistador" at the end. (...) This is a great album and if you want to support a band that is out to save not just rock and roll but music in general then buy it...And see them live too, these Tarts kick some Arse live...

this is raw rock and roll at its absolute best. it wouldn't be fair to dump this album in one of today's cookie-cutter, sub-rock genres. this band claims no allegiance to a preconceived, imprisoning concept. they're not "reviving" something thats dead, they're not "post" anything. they're a passionate rock band with a solid, no-frills, no-gimick sound. the album is full of killer riffs with heavy, perfectly arranged backdrops. the vocals fit just right and the band as a whole is as tight as ever (they can rock it just as well on stage) as long as rock and roll doesn't go stale, neither will bands like this.

The first three songs on this CD aren't bad, and really, they don't let up. "State of Affairs" is the loud sound of a cocky band that's ready to let rip. "Murderous Youth" has great lyrics and a more jangly quality to it; "Tell Me Leza" features a darker sound but retains a radio-ready quality and an echoey guitar in spots that's interesting. Too bad the thick-sounding production by Adam Schmitt gives the music an overly loud, diluted quality that harms the CD. Not till "Greenthumb," halfway through, does this CD let up a little on the overwhelming wall of sound that pervades -- but only a little. A synth in the middle of "Greenthumb" provides one of the rare moments on the CD when guitars, bass and drums aren't the only instruments blasting through the speakers. More than ever before, Stephen Ucherek often stretches out the phrasing of his lyrics, which give them an odd dialect that's not quite British-sounding but close.

Frankly, from "She Bleeds Pink" on down, "Fire, Blood, Water" by Living Blue is nothing special. The band knows how to rock, that's for sure; some of the mini guitar solos are good, the bass is really bassy and the drumming is heavy. "Wishlist" has an especially worthy headbanging quality to it. But what's missing on this album is interesting hooks and melody. Everything's too one dimensional, especially toward the end, which makes it a somewhat forgettable CD in the final analysis. Not long ago, these guys were supposed to a be a hot, up-and-coming rock band on the underground scene, and this first release on Minty Fresh was the beginning of their new career under a brand-new band name (formerly they were known as the Blackouts Everyday Is a Sunday Evening). The quality of songs on this CD isn't anything stellar, but it's also not completely horrible. Like Living Blue's (and the Blackouts') other two releases, this album is a mixture of some good stuff (but not great) and some very average-sounding stuff.

What a sweet album. Just can't match a live show, but great none-the-less. This album's in constant rotation on my iPod. Plus Steve, Schroeder, and Joe rock and roll man. These are cool guys, they're great drinking buddies, and this stuff reminds me of fun times. I wish I could say Silent Treatment still rocks harder, but no longer! ha ha.

Get your rock on.

Stop what you're doing right now. Go directly to the record store and buy Living Blue's latest disc. Do not buy CDs from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or Bright Eyes - and for heaven's sake, put down that Strokes disc. Fire, Blood, Water's tracks burst with the kind of fuzzbombs and jangly riffs found on your parents' old Replacements and R.E.M. records, but feel as fresh and innovative as the latest iPod jam. Vocalist Stephen Ucherek announces his cryptic intentions via a mop-topped yowl that's neither sensitive-boy mumbly nor emo-harsh, atop heaping helpings of shambling garage rock, angst-punk and college radio-playlist esoterica. The result? Finally, a rock band who are doing something interesting.