Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Conquer And Divide" by The Grip Weeds

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Conquer and Divide” from The Grip Weeds’ brand new EP, “Early Clues.” PHOTO BY MITCH GUROWITZ

Beloved veteran band The Grip Weeds will release a new LP, “Soul Bender,” later this year on Jem Records.

On Jan. 31, they are releasing three of the album’s tracks on an EP entitled “Early Clues.” The anthemic opener, “Conquer and Divide,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Conquer and Divide” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan 31 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

"Conquer And Divide" pulls the vintage stomp of The Grip Weeds’ “DiG” record into the modern era, applying classic muscle to new nuisances. Think of tough love from the Dalai Lama.

The EP’s other two tracks include “Column of Air,” an anthem for all of the musicians/writers/artists in the crowd that touches on the almost insurmountable odds and the occasional victories that come with being a creative. Co-written by David Wojciechowski of The Insomniacs, “Flowers For Cynthia" is a baroque pop confection about the travails of a one-sided relationship. The tune turns tried-and-tired love song cliches into psychedelic noir.

One needn't be a forensics genius to hear that the Grip Weeds have a monster of an album cooking with the impending “Soul Bender. Together for nearly 30 years, The Grip Weeds feature singer-drummer Kurt Reil; his wife, Kristin Pinell Reil, on lead guitar and vocals; brother Rick Reil on vocals, guitar and keyboards, and bassist Dave DeSantis.

Like most of their previous outings, “Early Clues”/“Soul Bender”was recorded at The Grip Weeds’  House Of Vibes studio in their hometown of Highland Park. More about the studio, whose clients have include New Jersey Hall of Famers The Smithereens, visit https://www.houseofvibes.com/. For more about The Grip Weeds, click https://www.gripweeds.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].