| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 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
- "Decide" – 2:43
- "M O V E" – 3:17
- "I Don't Believe in Anything" – 3:46
- "Certain Things" – 3:42
- "Bruised" – 3:12
- "Lonely Boy" – 3:33
- "The Killing of Georgie (Part III)" – 4:25
- "You Had to Be There" – 3:42
- "When God Was Great" – 3:40
- "What it Takes" – 3:40
- "Long as I Can See the Light" – 2:51
- "The Truth Hurts" – 3:36
- "It Went Well" – 4:33
- "I Don't Want to Be You" – 3:56
- "The Final Parade" – 7:57
Personnel
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
- Dicky Barrett – lead vocals
- Lawrence Katz – guitar, backing vocals
- Nate Albert - guitar, backing vocals
- Joe Gittleman – bass, backing vocals
- Joe Sirois – drums
- Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton – saxophone
- John Goetchius – keyboards
- Chris Rhodes – trombone
- Leon Silva – saxophone, backing vocals
- Ben Carr – Bosstone, backing vocals
- TJ Rivera – Recording Engineer, Mixing
Additional vocals and musicians on "The Final Parade"
- Tim Armstrong
- Aimee Interrupter
- Stranger Cole
- Angelo Moore
- Jake Burns
- Jay Navarro
- Chris Demakes
- Peter "JR" Wasilewski
- Roger Lima
- Jimmy G
- Toby Morse
- Rusty Pistachio
- John Feldmann
- Laila Khan
- Robert Hingley
- Dan Vitale
- Dave McWane
- Karina Denike
- Christian Jacobs
- Jon Pebsworth
- Ted Hutt
- Freddy Cricien
- Steve Jackson
- Glen Marhevka
- Roddy Radiation
- Jesse Bivona
- Justin Bivona
- Kevin Bivona
- Peter Porker
- Fumio Ito
- Gary Bivona
- Bri McWane
- Sirae Richardson
- Erin MacKnezie
- Jesse Wagner
- Felipe Galvan
- Jet Baker
- Heather Augustyn
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[10] | 92 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] | 26 |
References
- ^ "Album review: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – When God Was Great". Kerrang!.
- ^ a b "When God Was Great - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Stay True to Themselves on 'When God Was Great' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.
- ^ "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Holmes, Dave (May 14, 2021). "No". Esquire.
- ^ "Bosstones aim to bridge our divide with latest 'When God Was Great'". May 2, 2021.
- ^ Moore, Em. "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones sign to Hellcat Records, release new song". punknews.org. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ Gottlieb, Jed. "Bosstones aim to bridge our divide with latest 'When God Was Great'". msn.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "On their new albums, punk stalwarts Dropkick Murphys and Mighty Mighty Bosstones chase the pandemic blues - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
