Reviewed by: Brian Tracy, openingbands.com
"A name and label change are hints of forward progress for the Champaign-Urbana favorites formerly known as The Blackouts, but the important question is if the music has progressed as much as the band themselves. While a name change can be risky, especially for a group such as this who was garnering attention outside of Champaign-Urbana through such triumphs as receiving top honors in a nationwide contest put on by Little Steven's Underground Garage, the syndicated radio show hosted by E Street Band guitarist/actor Steven Van Zandt, as well as their last album as The Blackouts, also called The Living Blue. Though the change was a risk, it was an easily calculable one; the progress they were making with their last album and in their growing live notoriety would be continually at risk of drowning in the sea of bands who have under the somewhat generic moniker of The Blackouts. With the backing of the respected Minty Fresh Records and the new record Fire, Blood, Water, The Living Blue face the challenge of attempting to carry their sound, and new name, on to the next level and to do that they needed to release an album that grew from their previously releases, improve on their sound, their writing and their live show presence.
The album opener "State of Affairs" clicks and swirls through, demanding your attention, literally and figuratively as singer/guitarist Steve Ucherek declares that he's "got something to say, now open up your ears and hear"; and throughout the whole record he makes that known. From there the album marches with such precision and immediacy that there is no choice but to tramp along with the album or be pulled underfoot. "Serrated Friend" seems to have been baptized as the first single with it popping up on various media outlets, and while I don't envy having to decide the 'best' track off this album, the choice is hard to argue with. The track opens with such building anticipation that once it finally cascades open it is hard to imagine it ever halting until the last bar ends.
While I have missed their only Southern California performance in support of Fire, Blood, Water so far, all signs point to the fact that their previously strong live show has gotten stronger.
From the aforementioned tracks such as "State of Affairs" and "Serrated Friend" to the wandering "Conquistador" and everything in between, Fire, Blood, Water lives up to and surpasses the challenge The Living Blue set forth for themselves. In a market oversaturated with artists trying to recreate the sound and feel of their influences, The Living Blue stand out as a band paying homage to something, not trying to recreate anything; the progress and feel of Fire, Blood, Water is thoroughly modern and unique in a way that only continues to bring them accolades."