The group recorded its first release for the label, Livonia, in Defever's home studio. The album features Oliver's shivery vocals along with tape loops, samples, and guitar blasts, for a noise-damaged, ethereal collection of songs about ghosts, reincarnation, and dreams. By 1992's Home Is in Your Head, the band's lineup and scope expanded. New singers Denise James, Karen Neal, Melissa Elliott, and guitarist Jymn Auge added depth and breadth to the band's original lineup. An epic 23 songs long, Home Is in Your Head ranges from folky ballads to electrifying guitar maelstroms and tape collages. That year also saw the release of The Dirt Eaters EP, named for Defever's other, more rock-oriented group, of which Elliot was also a member. In 1993, His Name Is Alive released two albums: King of Sweet, a limited-edition release that mixed tape effects, samples, demos, and unreleased songs, and Mouth by Mouth, which added more pop structure into the group's inherently experimental and dreamy sound, resulting in its most accessible and diverse album to that date. A new drummer, Trey Many, took over Lang's duties.
As Defever's reputation as an innovative producer spread, he lent his skills to bands like Grenadine, a side project of Tsunami's Jenny Toomey and Unrest's Mark Robinson, other 4AD acts like Liquorice (which featured Toomey, Dan Littleton from Ida, and His Name Is Alive's Many) and Tarnation, and other Detroit-area bands like Godzuki and Outrageous Cherry. Defever also worked on other projects, including the folky ESP Summer (with former Pale Saint Ian Masters) and the electronic Robot World and Control Panel, and founded the Time Stereo art collective with a childhood friend, artist/musician Davin Brainard. Some of Time Stereo's projects included films, coloring books, and cassette-only releases from bands like Princess Dragon Mom, the Crash, Godzuki, New Grape, and Noise Camp.
Defever's diverse interests influenced His Name Is Alive's next release, 1996's Stars on ESP. Very little of the group's original ethereal sound remained, augmented instead with touches of dub, folk, gospel, and early- to mid-'60s pop like the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. At the time of the album's release, Defever claimed that he was so fascinated by the group's "Good Vibrations" that he listened to it for months at a time. The following year's Nice Day EP reached to garage rock and '60s R&B for its inspiration, and featured some of the gospel singers from Stars on ESP, including Lovetta Pippen, whose singing also gave His Name Is Alive's 1998 LP, Fort Lake, an earthy sensuality. Fort Lake also marked the first time the band worked with another producer, recording engineer Steve King. King, another Livonia native, had also worked with Funkadelic and Aretha Franklin, and his touch meshes nicely with the funk, soul, and classic rock allusions His Name Is Alive makes on the album. In preparation for recording Fort Lake -- named after a waterlogged Civil War fort in Michigan -- the group played monthly shows at the Gold Dollar, a tiny Detroit club. At this time, Pippen, bassist Chad Gilchrist, and additional drummer Scott Goldstein debuted as part of the new lineup.
In 1999, His Name Is Alive released a U.S. compilation of tracks from their first five albums called Always Stay Sweet; at the time, those albums were only available as British imports. Like the rest of the band's work, the compilation highlights their mercurial, unique nature. Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth appeared two years later. Released in 2002, the darkly soulful Last Night ended up being the group's final album for 4AD, but His Name Is Alive found other outlets for their music, and were actually busier than ever. Time Stereo released several CDs, such as 2004's ten-disc Cloud Box set, Leaf Club, Brown Rice, and The Detroit River, as well as many MP3-only works, including the Summer Bird and Something_Nothing EPs and a remastered version of King of Sweet. UFO Catcher was released in 2005 on CD by the German label En/Of and on vinyl by Time Stereo, while Ypsilanti Records issued the full-length Summer Bird that spring. Late in 2005, His Name Is Alive released the Raindrops Rainbow EP via iTunes as a teaser for Detrola, their debut for Reincarnate, also the home of fellow former 4AD artist Lisa Germano and Sing-Sing, the project of former Lush member Emma Anderson.
Storm
His Name Is Alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just came back from the storm Yeah
I said, I just came back baby
I just came back from the storm Yeah
From the storm
Well I did not know it then
But I was sufferin', sufferin'
It was so cold and lonely, yeah
The wind cryin' through the rain tared me up
It was so cold and lonely
Cryin' through rain was tearin' me up
Oh a tearin' me up
I want to thank you my sweat darlin'
For diggin' in the mud, for diggin' me up
(Thank you baby)
It was a terrible rain burnin' my eyes
The wind and lightning took us by surprise
It was you my love who brought me in
I love you so much, I'll never stray from you again
Hey
I just came back, today
I just came back today my baby on her way
Yeah yeah yeah
The lyrics for His Name Is Alive’s song “Storm” speak of the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship that felt like being caught in a storm, and the cathartic relief of finally coming out of it. The singer of the song, presumably the singer, talks about just coming back from the storm, attributing the turmoil to a love that kept them bound to one another. The love is described as being both cold and lonely while simultaneously tearing the singer up as the wind cried through the rain. In the end, it was the singer's lover who brought them in, and they express immense gratitude for digging them out of the mess.
The song is both atmospheric and emotionally driven, capturing the moods associated with love and loss, and the struggle of navigating those feelings. The storm serves as a metaphor for the intense feelings one goes through while in a relationship, and the turbulent emotions that can sometimes never really be tamed. It acknowledges how sometimes, we can be blinded by love, leading us to stick through tough times, and how finally breaking free from those situations can feel liberating. “Storm” is a powerful song that speaks to the emotional nature of human relationships, and the cathartic effect music can have in coming to terms with the end of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I, just came back today
The singer has returned from somewhere, indicating that they have been away from their lover.
I just came back from the storm Yeah
The singer has returned from a metaphorical 'storm' which was difficult and tumultuous.
I said, I just came back baby
The singer is addressing their lover, expressing their return and perhaps apologizing for leaving.
I just came back from the storm Yeah
The artist is reiterating that their return is from a difficult and trying situation.
From the storm
The storm could represent various challenges in the artist's life, possibly caused by the artist's own mistakes, but they have now returned and are ready to make amends.
Well I did not know it then
The singer was unaware of the source of their previous difficulties, which was actually rooted in their own actions or choices.
But I was sufferin', sufferin'
The singer was dealing with some kind of suffering, perhaps emotional or mental turmoil, which they didn't understand.
From the love that keep me born
The love that the artist relied on, such as that of their lover or family, was what sustained them through their difficult time.
It was so cold and lonely, yeah
The storm was a lonely and isolating experience for the artist.
The wind cryin' through the rain tared me up
The storm was emotionally and/or physically painful for the artist.
It was so cold and lonely
The singer reiterates the harsh reality of their experience, with the cold and loneliness of the storm continuing to weigh on them.
Cryin' through rain was tearin' me up
The artist experienced emotional distress during the storm, which was reflected in the tears they shed.
Oh a tearin' me up
The memories and emotions tied to the storm continue to cause the singer distress.
I want to thank you my sweat darlin'
The singer is grateful for their lover, who supported them during this difficult time.
For diggin' in the mud, for diggin' me up
The singer's lover helped 'dig' them out of their emotional hardship, like soil being turned over to reveal something hidden.
It was a terrible rain burnin' my eyes
The rain (and possibly the emotions it represented) were so intense that it felt physically painful for the artist.
The wind and lightning took us by surprise
The storm may have been unexpected, and the artist and their lover were caught off guard by its intensity.
It was you my love who brought me in
The singer credits their lover with helping them through the storm and bringing them back to safety.
I love you so much, I'll never stray from you again
The singer declares their love for their lover and promises to stay committed to them.
Hey
Perhaps an expression of relief or happiness that the artist has returned and been reunited with their lover.
I just came back, today
The artist reiterates that their return is recent and emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with their lover.
I just came back today my baby on her way
The artist is excited about the arrival of their baby (or possibly their lover referred to as 'baby'), and is ready to start anew with their family.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheKadjagoogoo
Admirable remix, mixant idéalement l'organique et le synthétique pour extraire le nectar de cette soul languide.
Chris Williams
Just beautiful.