by Bryan ThomasHis Name Is Alive vocalist\u002Fsongwriter Denise James has been described as a protégé of maverick Motor City musician\u002Fproducer Matthew Smith (Outrageous Cherry\u002FSlumber Party\u002Fthe Go). For those of you familiar with Smith's now-somewhat-predictable predilection for dowsing his own sonic productions in cavernous reverb, you'll no doubt understand why much of this dulcet-toned debut sounds like it was recorded in a dirigible hanger. The emphasis here, however, is where it should be, placed squarely on Ms. James' comely understated vocals, which sound, at times, like a girl group singer from the Populuxe era, or other times, like Nico or some folky Greenwich Village urchin with a fondness for French poets and hand-rolled cigarettes. For the most part, there's only sparse accompaniment from Smith on backing vocals, lead guitars, bass, and organ, and Scott Michalski on barely heard drums.