Art-pop is sometimes and abstract label, but it is one that certainly belongs to His Name Is Alive. Their music has always tried to stretch the boundaries, and this, their fifth release, continues in that vein. For this release, they've increased the amount of electric guitar (Hendrix influences are very clear) alongside the hypnotic keyboard melodies, the programmed beats and loops, and the variety of percussive experiments.
Alongside the 'art' element, some pop sounds are very evident. While their experimental nature means that this band isn't likely to be the next teeny-bopper sensation, the melodies generally have that mixture of compulsiveness without over-simplicity which makes them stick in the mind. Soulful Lovetta Pippen (who was in the gospel choir on their last effort) has joined Karin Oliver on vocals, and both have marvellous voices. This is on 4AD after all.
There are hints of spirituality in the lyrics, but they can't really be interpreted. The band contains at least one member with Christian connections--Trey Many (Velour 100, VoL booking agent)--but they'd never enter the Christian market, and chances are that principal songwriter Warren Defever is interested in more esoteric brands of spirituality. The songs take peculiar subjects for their lyrical focus--there's one dedicated to waitresses, and another on the Charlie Brown cartoons. It's difficult to pick a standout track, but "Wishing Ring" sticks with me for its riff-based introduction and sublime melody.
Warren Defever described the track "Glue" as an attempt to produce what people in the 1950s imagined 21st century music as sounding like. That's probably a good description of a lot of the music here. Throw in some Jimi Hendrix influences and a touch of soul and you have ft. lake.
By James Stewart (8/20/98)
