His Name Is Alive - Home Is In Your Head [LP]

The band's second album with 4AD, recorded in Warren Defever's home studio and remixed by Ivo Watts-Russell and John Fryer (as with their debut), sees 23 songs quick-firing through emotions, with moments of soothing calm soon clashing with white noise and visceral chaos. Highlights include "Her Eyes Were Huge", on which lightly strummed acoustic guitar uplift Karin Oliver's swooning, gossamer drawl; the synth-led, inquisitive and prickly "Are We Still Married?"; and pensive instrumental waltz "Siting Still Moving Still Staring Outlooking". A varied yet grounded compilation of new material and old (some dating back to Defever's junior high days), it finds the band entering a confident creative stride, leaving listeners enthralled by both it's beauty and darkness and proving Defever's inspired productions utterly unique. "Dark, disturbing, and beautiful [...] Held together by Warren Defever's artful production, it's 23 songs range from jealous contemplation to spiritual concerns, from gentle folk to white noise guitar outbursts. Karin Oliver's supple voice lends itself to an array of musical and emotional settings." - AllMusic