When God Was Great


When God Was Great is the eleventh and final studio album by the Boston ska punk band the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. 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. 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 ".

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." 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."

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 " – 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"