His Name Is Alive: Fender (vocals, saxophone, trumpet); Lovetta Pippen, Erika Hoffmann, Andrea (vocals); Jamie Saltsman (strings, bass instrument, upright bass); Jacob Danziger, Jean Cook (strings); Elliot Bergman (flute, bass clarinet, saxophone, piano, mbira); Faruq Z. Bey (saxophone); Justin Walter (trumpet); Scott Goldstein, Daniel Piccolo (drums); Olman Piedra, Gentle Jamie (percussion); Hitoko (bells).

Experimental popsters His Name is Alive's first record since leaving their home at the legendary 4AD Records proves the band lost no momentum in the move. In fact, 2006's DETROLA, released on Reincarnate, is one of the band's most focused and accomplished efforts. Chilly electro keyboards, memorable Beatlesque melodies, acoustic singer-songwriterisms, and ethereal collages mix together for a unique and immediately appealing sound.

The band's trademark sonic tweaking is in full effect here, even when it is used in the service of comparatively straightforward song structures (as on the excellent "After I Leave You," which rides a thin, distorted electro-groove). By merging classic psychedelia, new wave, electronica, folk, and mainstream pop, DETROLA bounces between the '60s, '70s, '80s, and the future with enough tuneful integrity and general inventiveness to keep listeners coming back for more.

Magnet (p.99) - "Most of DETROLA concerns itself with creating dreamscapes, centering the music in quiet keyboard drones and frozen country landscapes..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "There are some great moments...like 'Summer Left Your Heart Behind', with its sax and bass clarinet ensemble and the glorious, effortlessly buoyant tune, 'Seven Minutes In Heaven'..."

Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars) 

 retro fantastic melodies
a return to form for HNIA... there is a very nostalgic flavour to these songs, but still very different to their previous recordings- it's awesome...
Submitted by andrewstangl (Johannesburg, South) 
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