Mark’s Pick of the Week: Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth by His Name Is Alive

            His Name Is Alive is a band that I’ve never heard of until a few days ago.  From what I understand they have kind of a turbulent history, and a diverse repertoire of projects, and musical styles.  They haven’t had consistent members other then frontman, Warren Defever throughout their career.  Also this album was recorded at a time where they were being dropped from their record label, and they were down to only two members.  Funny...it just seems like a really well crafted R&B album to me. 

            “Someday…” never really imposes itself on the listener.  Everything is just so natural, from the vocals, to the song structure, to the instrumentation.  It just fits together so well.  At the same time everything about it is very simplistic.  No more then a few individual sounds come through at once, maybe a violin, electric drum kit, and piano accompanying the vocals (courtesy of the lovely Lovetta Pippen), and yet somehow that’s all that is required. 

            Even though the songs themselves are pretty simplistic they have a phenomenal range to them.  Some of the songs are slow jam R&B, others are piano driven ballads, with a few straight up blues songs thrown in for good measure.  This variety gives each track it’s own unique space and really keeps the whole thing from feeling contrived.  

            The whole album doesn’t really rely on an overall theme.  Instead we get individual blues track that could each easily hold their own as singles.  Each has something, a catchy rift, a memorable hook, intimate lyrics, or just a really groovy beat that sets it apart from the rest of the tracks. 

            It’s really surprising to think of this album as written in a short, turbulent by a band more known for dream pop, and goth-folk.  However, it doesn’t really matter where an album comes from, but where it ends up.  Even if that’s disgustingly cliché that doesn’t mean it’s true, and this album is irrefutable proof of that.  These guys are still putting out music, and you can check out their website here.

Like this? Then you'll love our facebook! We do all sorts of music stuff, so all you have to do is listen!