Grade: A-
One of 2011’s best (and oddest) debut albums was WU LYF’s “Go Tell Fire to the Mountain.” It was solid entry into the anthemic indie-rock category, but mystery shrouded the group, whose name actually stands for “World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation.” A scary name for a seriously talented band proved a bad omen, as lead singer Ellery James Roberts left the group in 2012 with a “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” online farewell to his bandmates. Roberts finally gives the band’s fans a taste of his solo progress with “Kerou’s Lament.” It sounds familiar quickly with Roberts’ signature gritty, booming vocals. Looking past his voice, though, shows that Roberts still has much to offer apart from WU LYF. “Kerou’s Lament” starts on a high and ends even higher. It manages to pull off what sometimes failed on “Go Tell Fire to the Mountain.” It’s as promising as it is moving.