An ensemble spearheaded by the always creative Athens, Georgia artist Chris McKay, Devine And Devine on this project explores futuristic ideas with plenty of genres traveled in a way that few others could replicate. Oddly and inimitably, McKay appears to channel the spirit of Jim Morrison, James Brown and Frank Zappa with a rawness and uplifting delivery that can only be described as a conjuring.
Dave Diller’s dense bass and Count Miller’s thumping drums open with the soulful and rock fueled “Climbing Vine.” The vocals come from many voices and are as gritty as the music. “Have Mercy (God Is In Control)” then follows with a psychedelic gospel that uses playful guitars and grooves, and “Let’s Ride” continues the mood with spoken word alongside a retro jangle that recruits melodic backing vocals and a scrappiness that you have to admire.
Entering the middle, “Blessings” blends the bright horns and softer ideas via a subtle beauty, while “In Your Mind” uses rapid fire drumming and Ed D. Perkins’ animated keyboards that suit the roaring guitar solos of the 12-plus minutes of exploration.
The final tune and title track is even longer, and is populated by group vocals, funk stabs and a spiritual version of rock that’s enlightening and instantly invites a sing-along.
A truly unique assembly of artists and songs, you might be reminded of the MC5, The Chamber Brothers, Funkadelic, Death, Jon Spencer, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix or even Gil-Scott Heron when enjoying these lo-fi and often intense pieces. The rest of the Devines—Theo, Hazel “Hazy,” and “Dee”—all contribute their voices, and the additional help from Lawrence “Link” Slider and Davie Diller only enhance this “musical exorcism” that serves as a lifeline after McKay’s life-changing surgery.
Perhaps adding even more creativity to the project, McKay is unable to sing or play guitar to his full ability due to his illness and surgery. To pen these songs, he tweaked the elements of artificial intelligence via multiverse structures and virtual simulation universes that enabled his vision to become tangible.
