The Living Blue is arguably post Strokes, and you know what that means. ?Fire, Blood, Water? is driving, bouncy, almost emo, almost new wave, immaculately performed guitar rock. It?s also apparent the young quartet has soaked up and dissected its fair share of early Cure singles. Singer/guitarist Steven Ucherek has the same kind of slightly effeminate wail that made Robert Smith a rock icon, but The Living Blue is something of a more power pop derived band. For being slightly reminiscent of you know who, these guys have good songs, a good tone, and vibrant energy that?s become something of a trademark for the label that brought us the New Pornographers. ?Murderous Youth? sounds like a nod to said Canadian super group. The best song though comes in the blaring cacophony of, ?Secrets,? which takes the mostly pat production into another dimension completely. That?s my only real complaint here; ?Fire, Blood, Water? sounds too clean. Next time, get these guys nice and drunk, spill some beer on the tape, and then hit record. 6/10 -- Lee Jackson (29 June, 2006)