'Detrola'
His Name is Alive is the age-old brain child of producer Warren Defever, notable for production efforts including Ida, Saturday Looks Good to Me and Grenadine. Defever's attention to detail and his crisp, distinctive production sound are dually noted on 'Detrola,' and the resulting sound is a culmination of widely varying influences. This is a tough one to pin down though. At times, I'm reminded of Karen Carpenter singing over a Santana song with a brass arrangement, atmospheric electronics and piano thrown in for good measure. I know, that's a big stretch to take, but His Name is Alive pulls it off remarkably well.
Fast forward to the second part of the album for one of the catchiest songs of the year, 'Get Your Curse,' a head-bopping, toe-tapping progression of horns and piano that's sure to win over even the strongest proponent of 70s influenced indie rock. The remainder of the album captures an atmospheric brand of indie influenced pop that's not too sweet or strange for the disdainful listener. Oh yeah, at times you can dance to it, but I think that's a side product and not the modus operandi of His Name is Alive. Can I end this on one thought? Music that defies description shouldn't be as easy on the ears as His Name is Alive...
myspace.com/hisnameisalive for streamed songs off of 'Detrola'
