Forever Getting Lost: A Quick Review Of The New Compilation Of The Early Recordings Of His Name Is Alive

The latest release in a proposed trilogy of archival recordings compilations, Return To Never (Home Recordings 1979 - 1986 Volume 2) provides further evidence of the sonic journey undertaken by Warren Defever. Unlike the earlier set, All The Mirrors in The House (Home Recordings 1979 - 1986), reviewed by me here, this new compilation features lots of textures that should feel familiar to anyone who ever picked up Livonia (1990) from the band. And it makes for a richer, more varied listening experience overall.

The title cut and "Late Night" serve up washes of sound and a hum that suggests the void, or a great ocean, while the simply intricate "Early Version" recalls the kinds of electronics heard on "Waves Become Wings" from This Mortal Coil. And while His Name Is Alive ended up on the esteemed 4AD imprint, Warren Defever was somehow conjuring up the same sort of soundscapes way off in Michigan years before he ended up on the label.

Elsewhere, "Piano V" features a spry sample that gives the song something that's nearly a hook, while the static-y "To Remember" is more affecting. This one, and the Fripp-influenced "Guitar Echo" sound a lot like pieces of music found on the Victorialand album. And to acknowledge that is to suggest that, judged next to the tracks on the earlier All The Mirrors in The House (Home Recordings 1979 - 1986), those on Return To Never (Home Recordings 1979 - 1986 Volume 2) are easier to sink into. Make no mistake: Defever's still making what's nearly ambient music in spots, like on the abject and stark "Forever Getting Lost", but on this release it's clear that at some point he understood that beauty could be found in nothingness. Or at least found in flashes of musicality piercing the nothingness.

For all that's here that is momentarily lovely, the sampled noise that punctuates "Whitesnake" suggests chaos peeking through the seams, even as a faint beat in "From the Night Tape" offers up a few dozen seconds that hint at what would be done later on Mouth By Mouth (1993). Things end here with "Gone", a bit of absolute noise modulated a bit by Warren Defever. It's the natural conclusion to a record that starts out of nothing, expands into faintly melodic selections, before found sound, tape samples, and feedback wreck everything beautifully.

You can order Return To Never (Home Recordings 1979 - 1986 Volume 2) here.

More details on His Name Is Alive via the official website, or the official Facebook page.

[Photo: Disciples / His Name Is Alive]