Mouth by Mouth | ||||
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Studio album by His Name Is Alive | ||||
Released | April 13, 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1992 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 49:11 | |||
Label | 4AD | |||
Producer | His Name Is Alive | |||
His Name Is Alive chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Robert Christgau | (A-) |
Mouth by Mouth is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1993.
Many critics have described Mouth By Mouth as a more conventional effort by His Name is Alive than their previous albums. AllMusic's Heather Phares described Mouth By Mouth as "a high point in His Name Is Alive's career" and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars.Robert Christgau also reviewed the album favorably, giving it an A- and describing it as "Big Star's Third as witting aesthetic strategy rather than failed attempt to make the world go away." Richard Fontenoy wrote in the Rough Guide to Rock that the album was "a 70s heavy-rock album produced by a hyperactive and easily distracted child with an interest in trying every possible effect, level and mixing technique".
All tracks written by Defever, credited as His Name Is Alive, except 4, 9 and 16, written by Melissa Elliott, and 12, a cover of a Big Star track, written by Alex Chilton, credited here as "LX Chilton."
CD release (CAD3006CD)
"The Dirt Eaters" is a different version than appeared on The Dirt Eaters EP, a rock and roll version replacing the acoustic version that appeared on the EP. The Jack Nicholson sample that appeared on the EP version appears again, although shortened (removing the part where he says "And all the weeds.")
The 4AD vinyl LP release (CAD3006) uses several different samples and mixes for some of the songs, and does not include "The Homesick Waltz," despite having the lyrics for it in the inner sleeve.
The 4AD cassette release (CADC3006) is similar in mixing and sampling to the CD release, but like the LP does not include "The Homesick Waltz."
The 4AD CD version is currently available by 4AD's website, and also on music download services like eMusic and iTunes.
As mentioned above, several samples are missing on this release, in comparison to the 4AD UK release, along with the track "The Homesick Waltz." Different mixes are used for several songs, many with a "hotter" mix, giving it a more "rock" sound to supposedly appeal to the USA grunge fad. Most noticeable is "The Dirt Eaters," which does not include the Jack Nicholson sample, or the ethereal echo on Denise James' vocals. This version is out of print. The UK version is now available in the US as electronic downloads from sites like eMusic or iTunes.