Always Stay Sweet

History

Always Stay Sweet is one of the rare 4AD albums that was released in the USA only, and not the label’s native UK. It is a compilation of tracks from His Name Is Alive’s first five records for the label, all of which—except for Stars on ESP—were out of print in America at the time. This is presumably part of the reason why 4AD chose the album for American release only—it was a way for American audiences to acquire some of the band’s early work in lieu of re-issuing the entire back catalog.

The album relies heavily on the early albums when HNIA were often described as a gothic folk band inspired by 4AD supergroup This Mortal Coil. Nearly all of the songs are from 1990’s Livonia, 1991’s Home Is in Your Head, and 1993’s Mouth by Mouth. Only two songs from Stars on ESP are included, and nearly all of the songs from The Dirt Eaters EP are featured (although two of the tracks from this EP are alternate versions that appeared on the LPs). No tracks from 1998’s Ft. Lake are included at all, although the front cover was based on the inside sleeve of that album. The song “Underwater” was previously unreleased, having been recorded during the sessions for Mouth by Mouth. “The Dirt Eaters” is the version that appeared on the USA release of Mouth by Mouth, without the Jack Nicholson sample.

A version of the CD released by Mexican label Opción Sónica included two more songs from Stars on ESP and a rare track from the 1994 4AD compilation All Virgos Are Mad.

As this CD came out after 4AD’s USA distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records had ended, 4AD was back in the position of having to find distribution for each USA release. While the label has mostly used the Alternative Distribution Alliance, which distributes many indie rock labels in America, Always Stay Sweet was actually distributed by major label Polygram Records.

Track listings

All tracks written by His Name Is Alive, except where noted.