Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth
Encyclopedia
Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth is an album by His Name Is Alive
, released by 4AD
in 2001.
, and is a controversial record among some of the band's fans. Many long-time fans criticized the album's sound, which bore little relation to the gothic/folk/progressive rock of the band's past. With the band now consisting solely of leader Warren Defever
and vocalist Lovetta Pippen, an experienced soul and gospel singer who had first appeared as a part of a gospel choir on 1996's Stars on ESP
, Someday... is basically a straightforward soul and R&B album. This was the first HNIA album without long-time vocalist Karin Oliver
, whose unique vocal range was, for many fans, the band's key element.
On the other hand, there are some fans who appreciate the album for what it is, noting Defever's characteristic songwriting, production and musicianship, and Pippen's impressive vocal skills. Album reviews were also were also favorable from publications who were unfamiliar with the band's back catalog.
The replacement of Oliver with Pippen as primary vocalist lead some to believe that Defever had fired Oliver, which tainted the opinions of fans without even hearing the album. The truth was that Oliver had always held jobs in marketing and advertising during her time with HNIA, as the band had never been a commercial success. With the changes at 4AD
(outlined in the article on the previous album, Ft. Lake
), 4AD had increased commercial expectations for the band. When Ft. Lake was not a big seller, Oliver chose to accept a full-time job offer in marketing, more out of reasons of feasibility than any hostility between her and Defeverhttp://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/interviews/hniaiw.htm. Oliver left the band after the US release party for Ft. Lake; a tape of this concert is available from Time Stereo. She was replaced on the resulting tour with Erika Hoffman, who had also been contributing since Stars on ESP.
Defever and Pippen recorded the album from 1998 through 2000. The release of the album was delayed for a year. While 4AD's official reason for the delay was that the elaborate V23
artwork was difficult to produce, there was also speculation that the label was unhappy with the album and had no idea how to market it. The label decided not to renew their option on the band's contract beyond the next album, about six months before Someday... was released. Defever and Pippen were encouraged to go ahead and record the final album of the contract right away. The album, which turned out to be 2002's Last Night
, was recorded before Someday... was released, and like its predecessor, was shelved for a year before being released.
The U.K. version of the album comes in a digipak case with a lyrics booklet in addition to the liner notes, as opposed to the U.S. version which comes in a jewel case and lacks the lyrics booklet. The U.K. version also has slightly different artwork, with the front cover image being in blue which was changed to brown for the U.S. version.
The version of "Are We Still Married?" marked the third version the band had released. It first appeared on Home Is in Your Head
, and a remixed version appeared on The Dirt Eaters EP
. Oliver sang those versions, and it is sung by Pippen here. A fourth version would be sung by Andy FM on 2005's Raindrops Rainbow EP.
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...
, 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 2001.
History
Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth marked a huge change in the sound of 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...
, and is a controversial record among some of the band's fans. Many long-time fans criticized the album's sound, which bore little relation to the gothic/folk/progressive rock of the band's past. With the band now consisting solely of 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...
and vocalist Lovetta Pippen, an experienced soul and gospel singer who had first appeared as a part of a gospel choir on 1996's Stars on ESP
Stars on ESP
Stars on ESP is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1996.-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release...
, Someday... is basically a straightforward soul and R&B album. This was the first HNIA album without long-time vocalist Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver is a former singer for the Livonia, Michigan band His Name Is Alive. She was with the band from 1989 to 1998. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time. She also provided vocals for Velour 100, a band...
, whose unique vocal range was, for many fans, the band's key element.
On the other hand, there are some fans who appreciate the album for what it is, noting Defever's characteristic songwriting, production and musicianship, and Pippen's impressive vocal skills. Album reviews were also were also favorable from publications who were unfamiliar with the band's back catalog.
The replacement of Oliver with Pippen as primary vocalist lead some to believe that Defever had fired Oliver, which tainted the opinions of fans without even hearing the album. The truth was that Oliver had always held jobs in marketing and advertising during her time with HNIA, as the band had never been a commercial success. With the changes at 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...
(outlined in the article on the previous album, Ft. Lake
Ft. Lake
-History:Work on Ft. Lake began shortly after completion of the Nice Day EP, with the same newly-stable lineup of leader Warren Defever on guitar, Chad Gilchrist on bass, Trey Many on drums, and vocalists Karin Oliver and Lovetta Pippen...
), 4AD had increased commercial expectations for the band. When Ft. Lake was not a big seller, Oliver chose to accept a full-time job offer in marketing, more out of reasons of feasibility than any hostility between her and Defeverhttp://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/interviews/hniaiw.htm. Oliver left the band after the US release party for Ft. Lake; a tape of this concert is available from Time Stereo. She was replaced on the resulting tour with Erika Hoffman, who had also been contributing since Stars on ESP.
Defever and Pippen recorded the album from 1998 through 2000. The release of the album was delayed for a year. While 4AD's official reason for the delay was that the elaborate V23
Vaughan Oliver
Vaughan Oliver is a British graphic designer based in Epsom, South of London. Oliver is most noted for his work with graphic design studios 23 Envelope and v23...
artwork was difficult to produce, there was also speculation that the label was unhappy with the album and had no idea how to market it. The label decided not to renew their option on the band's contract beyond the next album, about six months before Someday... was released. Defever and Pippen were encouraged to go ahead and record the final album of the contract right away. The album, which turned out to be 2002's Last Night
Last Night (His Name Is Alive album)
-History:Last Night was recorded during a particularly low point in His Name Is Alive's long career. Due to the changes in the band and at their label, 4AD, in the last few years, the album was recorded knowing that it would be their last for 4AD. -History:Last Night was recorded during a...
, was recorded before Someday... was released, and like its predecessor, was shelved for a year before being released.
The U.K. version of the album comes in a digipak case with a lyrics booklet in addition to the liner notes, as opposed to the U.S. version which comes in a jewel case and lacks the lyrics booklet. The U.K. version also has slightly different artwork, with the front cover image being in blue which was changed to brown for the U.S. version.
Track listing
- "Nothing Special" - 4:18
- "Interlude" - 0:24
- "Happy Blues" - 4:29
- "Solitude" - 1:41
- "Write My Name in the Groove" - 5:51
- "Your Cheating Heart" - 3:38
- "Our Last Affair" - 4:28
- "One Year" - 3:36
- "Interlude" - 0:48
- "Karin's Blues" - 3:14
- "Are We Still Married?" - 3:37
- "Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth" - 5:32
- "Last Time" - 0:38
The version of "Are We Still Married?" marked the third version the band had released. It first 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:...
, and a remixed version appeared on The Dirt Eaters EP
The Dirt Eaters EP
The Dirt Eaters in an EP by His Name Is Alive, originally released by 4AD in early 1992. It has never been released on its own in the United States, as it was included on the 4AD/Rykodisc USA reissue of Home Is In Your Head in 1992.-History:...
. Oliver sang those versions, and it is sung by Pippen here. A fourth version would be sung by Andy FM on 2005's Raindrops Rainbow EP.
Free remix album
In 2006, HNIA's website made available a free MP3 download remix album called Someday RMX. The tracklisting (with remixers listed in parentheses) for this album is:- Write My Name (Tony Ollivierra)
- One Year (Four Tet)
- Happy Blues (Susumu Yokota)
- Nothing Special (Herrmann & Kleine)
- Happy Blues (Recloose)
- Nothing Special (Burnt Friedman)
- Someday (Burnt Friedman)
- One Year (Minotaur Shock)
- Someday (Ectomorph)
- Write My Name (HNIA R&B version)
- Write My Name (HNIA 1998 Demo)