The L.A.-based, indie band, Divine Weeks, has just released their new album We’re All We Have. Inspired by political opinion, this is their final full-length release. But first, for those readers not up on indie acts, a bit of background:
Divine Weeks
The band roster includes Raj Makwana (guitar and songwriting), Bill See (vocals, harmonica, and songwriting), Dave Smerdzinski (drums, percussion, and songwriting), and Steve Soto (bass). The group was born in the late 1980s. Once part of L.A.’s underground music scene, the act recently announced that this self-produced release is their “final album.”
Divine Weeks’ premiere platter, Through and Through, was released in 1987.
Their rock resume also includes touring to promote their song “In the Country (For Jim Carroll)” which was featured on MTV’s “120 Minutes.”
Their follow-up, Never Get Used To It, was unfortunately released on the same day in 1991 as Nirvana’s Nevermind.
The band broke up the following year. In 2011 See’s memoir 33 Days was published. Makwana joined See on the west coast 33 Days book tour to perform old songs and share stories. This led to the group’s 2016 CD See Those Landing Lights.
On this new disc, We’re All We Have, Divine Weeks is backed by additional artists including vocalist Melody Muraga and the D. W, Choir which consists of Carolyn Feldes, Greg Franco, Kathleen Hayes, Ron Jolf, Tania Jolak, Cindy Maya, Lisa Muraga, Doug Nyland, Eve Sands, Laura Smith, Dave Soyars, Neil Weiss, Dean Westerfield (Melody Muraga, and Soto). Their signature sound is alternative rock with an occasional liberal lyrical lean. It’s inspired by the Who and U2. The group also has an interest in such other bands as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Minutemen, The Jam, and Magazine.
Track by track
This 11-track release opens on the anthemic “Fight for Love.” It’s energetic and sometimes vaguely reminiscent of classic Modern English. The song was also released as a single late last month.
“We’re All in One & One in All” comes complete with a casual Alexandre Dumas reference.
It is, unfortunately all too quickly overshadowed by “Don’t Get Caught on the Wrong Side of History” which is a politically-slanted song in which the band blends a message of love with a partisan push in an unsurprising direction. It’s followed by “The Indomitable Force of Love” which begins to bring things back on a universal track in terms of theme. The group’s signature sound continues to shine through on “Soldier Girl” ehich reflects on a previously-mentioned subject.
The next number is “Too Much Beauty” which is an excellent audio offering with a unique perspective.
“Darkness Brings Out the Light in Me” is yet another example of what the band can do.
The musical influences are once more obvious on “Every Little Once in a While” and there are more than one too. They are not so heavy as to make the song derivative though so it all works out in the end. “Love is a Mix Tape” is a good song about communicating via the use of other people’s music.
Also included here is “Holes” which proves the act’s consistency.
The album end note is “Hold on to Love in a World Gone Mad.” The song serves as a final effort to promote their musical message and seasoned sound.
Overall, with a running time of over 50 minutes, this collection of heart-on-their-sleeve cuts focuses on love and was, in part incited by their personal interpretation of current events. According to their press release, it is also reported to be the group’s swan song which is ironic considering the industry-expected take on the country’s present political clime. Perhaps what is most important here is the band wants to remind listeners of the power of love.
The group concludes: “We still believe in the redemptive powers of love and music.” So check out Divine Weeks’ We’re All We Have and discover their final “Fight for Love.”
(Photo courtesy of Divine Weeks)