His Name is Alive -- Mouth by Mouth

(4AD 76592)

Probably the most ignored of the 4AD crowd, His Name is Alive have quietly carved their own sound, successfully turning all of that label’s stereotypes into parts to be manipulated, and deconstructed.

That damned "ethereal" label could be tacked squarely onto this album. So could "dance-y," "experimental," and even (gasp) "hummable." The trick is that this Michigan band manages to take all of those parts and create something that is often unique.

Not to say that Mouth by Mouth is perfect -- some cuts slide into crappy bubblegum mode ala the Darling Buds. The album’s difference in styles becomes clearest when a terrible track like "Ford" is preceded by "Cornfield," a song that combines a Philip Glass-like string section with sweet, dispassionate vocals.

While it will be the lighter, near throwaway cuts, like "Ford," that will make folks buy the album, it’s the more adventurous tracks (particularly the creepy / elegant "Ear") that make this CD worth owning. His Name is Alive is still one of the most unpredictable and gratifying pop bands today.

--- Dave Harrison / Catharsis #32 - July 1993