Bishops Green - A Chance To Change

Rebellion Records / Longshot Music / Pirates Press Records

 

Of course I knew that Bishops Green was working on a new album, but still it surprised me how fast Canada’s up and rising streetpunk outfit went back into the studio after their incredibly successful release of last year’s debut full-length “Pressure”. Praiseworthy to say the least, because instead of sitting back and enjoying their recent successes of sold out tours and repress after repress of their previous releases (although I am pretty sure they do take the time to cherish these moments), they directly headed back into practice, writing and recording modus to produce their sophomore album entitled “A Chance To Change”. To us fans this particular record is one of the most anticipated streetpunk albums of the year, no doubt about it. But generally speaking the second album can be one of the toughest jobs around for a band.

 

Now I am not sure if this was the case with Bishops Green, but for some reason I can imagine it was. Because as much as I loved “Pressure”, it was a bit different than their 12” debut EP of a year before. The sound progressed, but while doing so some of that raw, untamed energy of their six-track debut EP got lost in the process. That is my personal opinion of course and whether you agree with this or not, I was curious to find out how this progressed on “A Chance To Change” and if the energy of their debut 12” and live shows could be captured again on a record.

 

Now pardon my Canadian-French, but FUCK YEAH they did! They build up the tension because opening track “Lost Generation” kicks-off with a bass intro, but as soon as the other instruments fill in and front-man Greg sings the first verse; “You bought in, stations in your life. No thought, no sight, can’t think for yourself. Your choices bind your soul, divides our way of life. You’re trapped in your ways, your dream’s a lie!” I hear back the Bishops Green as I’d like to hear them best. With a raw, energetic, powerful but melodic punk sound and passionate, socially aware lyrics that stand up against corruption and greed with the band’s main target being their government. A continuation of the “Pressure” LP, with the only difference now that I hear back more of that power, passion and aggression old tracks like “Tumbling Down” and “Alone” had on new songs like “We’ve Got Nothing”, “Specter”, “Lost Generation”, “Dead And Gone”, “Resistance” and “Defiance”, brilliant!

 

In 2013 Bishops Green came at the right place at the right time. With their approach and ideas on both sound and lyrics the band spoke to the imagination of a lot of people with various (subcultural) backgrounds and I think they will speak to the imagination of far more skins, punks and who –and whatnot in the (near) future if they keep it up like this and continue on releasing fantastic albums. “A Chance To Change” is definitely one of those fantastic albums that combines the best of Bishops Green’s previous releases, but keeps moving forward into something incredible of what could become the biggest band in punk music in say a year or five? I wouldn’t be surprised... Until then I can’t wait to see these guys in Berlin next month! Your resistance, is part of our existence!!!