Album Review

The Bishops – For Now

• 7th Mar 2009

The sophomore album by The Bishops is the brainchild of twins Mike and Peter Bishop and Chris McConville.

Nattily dressed on the sleeve notes in sharp suits against a monochrome backdrop my level of expectation is relatively high, however to rate an album by its level of artwork is far too pretentious and shallow.

The songs on the album are ingrained indie. It’s not your angular sharp Franz and nor is it your big sounding / bluster fuelled Snow Patrol. ‘For now’ falls somewhere in-between, and it’s in deep suffering of a musical identity crisis.

Their musical sound is distinctly reticent and has a real dearth of any real hooks and splendour. Their style is pleasant enough but all the songs drift along without dragging you inside – its all so bloody nicely nice. They are like a polished La’s without their music craft and guile.

Tales of love and heartbreak – ‘If you leave today’ and ‘nothing I can do or say’ seem to reflect real personal and honest feelings however these ballads are not bold enough to encapsulate the good public and would look behind their sound as being too earnest and handwringing. ‘Train won’t stop’ tries its hardest but still lacks any kind of quality.

A challenging listen of an album and frankly disappointing one which fails to evoke any kind of spark.