It would be churlish to fill this review up with references to Blakfish, the band to which all three members of &U&I previously belonged, but so many are interested in seeing how the two acts compare that it is hard not to. For whilst it is best perhaps to look at this band as an act completely distinct from Blakfish, no such association or lack of should at all affect how much listeners enjoy this record. This is one of the best debut albums by a British act in a number of years and announces &U&I as a major player on the British post-hardcore scene.
Debut EP “Kill the Man that Shot that Man” was a promising start when it was released last year. The use of dynamics that had accentuated the genius of Blakfish was combined with a slightly more melodic sheen than before, not that anyone could deny that right from the off this trio have been 100% rocking at heart. The potential that the band showed on “Kill the Man…” has been realised more comprehensively than anyone would have dared predict here. In fact this is not just a great comeback from three members of a band whose time was unfortunately cut short, this is an album that knocks even the finest Blakfish albums around the ring a couple of times. Sure, there are elements of the trio’s past here but the development and increased diversity present here make “Light Bearer” a real step up.
Here &U&I have shown that they have developed into brilliant songwriters, supremely capable of crafting both kick in the throat heaviness and moments of genuinely affecting solemnity. From the opening interlude-like introduction of “D Pablo I” to the grand climax of “Above the Abyss”, &U&I are truly masterful. For fans of sadly departed British legends like Reuben, this album really should be a dream come true, whilst fans of acts as different as Mastodon and Glassjaw could do far worse than check it out as well. People who like heavy music with a good bit of attitude but also a heart…“Light Bearer” is for you.
“Light Bearer” is out now.
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Debut EP “Kill the Man that Shot that Man” was a promising start when it was released last year. The use of dynamics that had accentuated the genius of Blakfish was combined with a slightly more melodic sheen than before, not that anyone could deny that right from the off this trio have been 100% rocking at heart. The potential that the band showed on “Kill the Man…” has been realised more comprehensively than anyone would have dared predict here. In fact this is not just a great comeback from three members of a band whose time was unfortunately cut short, this is an album that knocks even the finest Blakfish albums around the ring a couple of times. Sure, there are elements of the trio’s past here but the development and increased diversity present here make “Light Bearer” a real step up.
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