King of Sweet
Encyclopedia
King of Sweet is a compilation album by His Name Is Alive
, originally released in a limited run by the Perdition Plastics label in 1993. Most, if not all, of the songs had previously appeared on the band's many self-released cassettes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and some of them had appeared in different versions on the band's 4AD releases.
's albums were generally being released by 4AD
in both the USA and the UK. However, leader Warren Defever
did not have an exclusive contract with 4AD. Defever stated in interviews that the arrangement with 4AD was quite loose; 4AD president Ivo Watts-Russell
would release what he was interested in, and Defever was free to release the rest elsewhere. While this mostly resulted in homemade cassettes released through Defever's Time Stereo imprint, a CD called King of Sweet appeared in the fall of 1993. The CD was made up mostly of songs that had appeared on the self-released cassettes, including several songs that eventually appeared on Home Is in Your Head
. In particular, there are four songs that are based on Home Is In Your Heads "Are You Coming Down This Weekend?", albeit in much longer versions than the 18-second version that had originally appeared.
The song "Honey Babe, My Blue-Eyed Babe," was recorded in a different version for Mouth by Mouth
under the name "Underwater". "Underwater", however, didn't make the final cut of the album, and remained unreleased until the 1999 compilation Always Stay Sweet
.
The original CD release was a limited edition of 2000 numbered copies, making this a highly sought-after and expensive release. It is now available in a remastered form as a downloadable purchase from the Silver Mountain Media website.
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, originally released in a limited run by the Perdition Plastics label in 1993. Most, if not all, of the songs had previously appeared on the band's many self-released cassettes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and some of them had appeared in different versions on the band's 4AD releases.
History
By 1993, His Name Is AliveHis Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
's albums were generally being released by 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in both the USA and the UK. However, leader Warren Defever
Warren Defever
Warren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
did not have an exclusive contract with 4AD. Defever stated in interviews that the arrangement with 4AD was quite loose; 4AD president Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
would release what he was interested in, and Defever was free to release the rest elsewhere. While this mostly resulted in homemade cassettes released through Defever's Time Stereo imprint, a CD called King of Sweet appeared in the fall of 1993. The CD was made up mostly of songs that had appeared on the self-released cassettes, including several songs that eventually appeared on Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head is the second studio album by His Name Is Alive, originally released via 4AD in the UK on September 9, 1991, and on Rykodisc in the USA in 1992.-History:...
. In particular, there are four songs that are based on Home Is In Your Heads "Are You Coming Down This Weekend?", albeit in much longer versions than the 18-second version that had originally appeared.
The song "Honey Babe, My Blue-Eyed Babe," was recorded in a different version for Mouth by Mouth
Mouth by Mouth
-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
under the name "Underwater". "Underwater", however, didn't make the final cut of the album, and remained unreleased until the 1999 compilation Always Stay Sweet
Always Stay Sweet
-Notes:4AD release* Tracks 3, 4, 5, and 7 taken from Livonia * Tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, and 16 taken from Home Is in Your Head * Tracks 14 and 21 taken from The Dirt Eaters EP...
.
The original CD release was a limited edition of 2000 numbered copies, making this a highly sought-after and expensive release. It is now available in a remastered form as a downloadable purchase from the Silver Mountain Media website.
Track listing
- "Take a Look around You"
- "A Bird in Every Tree"
- "This Weekend"
- "Drive the Dreamy Demon Down"
- "Lake (Theme for Sweet Hearts)"
- "Blissfield (Sweet Corn)"
- "Bears (King of Sweet)"
- "Ode on a Dave Asman"
- "A Dave in the Life"
- "Honey Babe, My Blue-Eyed Babe"
- "The Shepherd's Flute Is Always Playing"
- "Are You Coming Down This Weekend?"
- "Soul Resides in the Horse Barn"
- "Driftin Blues"
- "Meet Me by the Moonlight, Alone"