His Name Is Alive – Home Is In Your Head

His Name Is Alive's second record follows the threads of the first record's shadows and dramatic turns. As with the debut, the tapes produced by the band were submitted to 4AD where they were edited and mixed into its final form. The record also has an ethereal 4AD sound. As with the first, it also sounds like nothing else.

The themes are similar to "Livonia": dreams, loss, sadness, beauty, desire etc. However, "Home Is In Your Head" adds a strong theme of mental illness and despair. The lyrics become more surreal and often project images rather than a narrative. The songs are still melodic and moving. But it's in some ways a difficult listen. It's very dark, hypnotic, and achingly melancholy.

The American cd release includes the excellent "Dirt Eaters" EP, which evolves the sound on HIIYH and is for the most part more easily digestible, barring the bizarre "Is This The Way The Tigers Do?". For this reason, I recommend this edition over the others.

HIIYH might be too dark and downbeat for some, but if that sort of thing clicks with you, you'll enjoy the trip into despair. Another record for darkness, and late night.

This record also marks the end of the first incarnation of His Name Is Alive. The next record, "Mouth By Mouth," takes a sharp turn toward a surreal, catchy pop/rock sound. Of course, this is His Name Is Alive we're talking about. You know it's not going to sound like anything else.