Divided Heaven is the project of Jeff Berman, a singer, songwriter, and musician from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He recently moved back to his hometown after beginning his career in Los Angeles.
“My wife and I bought a house just before the start of the pandemic,” Berman says. “Before we had any time to celebrate, we had to look for masks and hand sanitizer, and figure out how to get our stuff unpacked.”
Berman initiated the Divided Heaven name when he started playing shows as a singer and songwriter. “I like the use of the word ‘heaven’ in a secular context. Divided Heaven is an interesting title to use as an atheist.”
Berman played in a variety of punk bands before beginning to hone his songwriting chops and becoming a solo act. He evolved from a folkie to the leader of a punk-influenced trio. On Oblivion, his latest effort, out on February 2 on A-F Records, he’s shifted back to being a solo artist.
“I have had, at times, different groups of musicians I played with, but that went out the window because of moving back to Pennsylvania and working with four different producers. All the guitars, vocals, piano, and keyboard stuff was done by me. My piano playing has an urgency and rawness that worked for these songs. My last record (2018’s Cold War) was subdued and lighthearted. Oblivion is darker, more experimental, more political, more mainstream.”
The songs were written and recorded during the last two years. Berman says the situation in the world affected his approach.
“I wanted to make people uncomfortable and tap into the discontent of the culture wars. Before, I tried to keep songs purposefully ambiguous. This time I was specific about things that have happened, without being overly literal. That’s why it’s an overdrive rock album. I wanted to show a bit more swagger.”
Berman worked with a wide range of musicians and four producers, including Charlie Stavish (Ryan Adams, Vacation Manor), Mike Biancaniello (Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks), Tim van Doorn (Tim Vantol, Joe McMahon), and songwriter and producer Frank Turner.
They all took a different approach. “Mike didn’t want to hear anything. We just plugged in and crafted the songs as we went along. With Charlie and Tim, it was more traditional. I sent them fleshed out demos and did a bit of pre-production before setting foot in the studio. We layered on top of what I had, finding the balance between new ideas and what I brought in. With Frank, it was all through email. That forced us to be more articulate with our ideas. I think that benefitted the songs he produced.”
The inventive arrangements give the songs on Oblivion the punch Berman was seeking. Brittle acoustic guitar and a mid-tempo drum beat open “Poisoned Our Fathers,” an indictment of politicians indifferent to the suffering of their constituents. Berman’s tortured vocal calls out for the justice he fears will never come.
Atmospheric notes from a grand piano introduces “Reckoning.” Berman’s ghostly vocal describes our society’s cultural misogyny, with words both explicit and oblique. The music is part dirge and part prayer for better things. “Monuments” is a subtle rocker, questioning the reluctance of many Americans to confront the problems facing the current generation.
“This is the fourth Divided Heaven record, not counting EPs,” Berman says. “Some people tell me my first album was better but, as an artist, I need to be objective. If I didn’t think Oblivion was the best one I’d ever made, I’d put it in the vaults and come back to it in my old age.”
Check out “Burn Me” here:
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Photo courtesy of Divided Heaven and Sarah Berman
