When God Was Great
Studio album by
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
ReleasedMay 7, 2021 (2021-05-07)
Recorded2020
GenreSka punk[1]
Length58:33
Label
ProducerTed Hutt and Tim Armstrong
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones chronology
While We're at It
(2018) 		When God Was Great
(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Exclaim!6/10[3]

When God Was Great is the eleventh and final studio album by the Boston ska punk band the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.[4][5] It was released in 2021 on Hellcat, the band's only album with the label. The album was co-produced by Hellcat founder and Rancid member Tim Armstrong.[6] The album was preceded by the singles and music videos for "The Final Parade", "I Don't Believe in Anything" and "The Killing of Georgie (Part III)".[7][8]

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that "there's a vintage album-era vibe to When God Was Great that feels as if the band have crafted a low-key concept album inspired by their time growing up in Boston, going to punk shows to escape the Catholic constraints of their homes, and, finally, finding a way reclaim the positivity and D.I.Y. activism of their youth in the face of growing awareness of social injustice."[2] The Boston Globe thought that "in 'The Final Parade', they unleash a doozy of a final track, an epic salute to ska featuring members of Rancid, Stiff Little Fingers, Fishbone, the Aquabats, and so, so many others."[9]

Track listing

  1. "Decide" – 2:43
  2. "M O V E" – 3:17
  3. "I Don't Believe in Anything" – 3:46
  4. "Certain Things" – 3:42
  5. "Bruised" – 3:12
  6. "Lonely Boy" – 3:33
  7. "The Killing of Georgie (Part III)" – 4:25
  8. "You Had to Be There" – 3:42
  9. "When God Was Great" – 3:40
  10. "What it Takes" – 3:40
  11. "Long as I Can See the Light" – 2:51
  12. "The Truth Hurts" – 3:36
  13. "It Went Well" – 4:33
  14. "I Don't Want to Be You" – 3:56
  15. "The Final Parade" – 7:57

Personnel

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Additional vocals and musicians on "The Final Parade"

Charts

Chart performance for When God Was Great
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[10] 92
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] 26

References

  1. ^ "Album review: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – When God Was Great". Kerrang!.
  2. ^ a b "When God Was Great - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  3. ^ "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Stay True to Themselves on 'When God Was Great' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.
  4. ^ "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  5. ^ Holmes, Dave (May 14, 2021). "No". Esquire.
  6. ^ "Bosstones aim to bridge our divide with latest 'When God Was Great'". May 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Moore, Em. "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones sign to Hellcat Records, release new song". punknews.org. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  8. ^ Gottlieb, Jed. "Bosstones aim to bridge our divide with latest 'When God Was Great'". msn.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  9. ^ "On their new albums, punk stalwarts Dropkick Murphys and Mighty Mighty Bosstones chase the pandemic blues - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  10. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  11. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
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