Songwriting was fundamental to The Bible’s appeal throughout the 1980s. Their combination of evocative lyrics, memorable melodies and understated emotion earned a devoted following, and those qualities underpin the story of their forthcoming release, Anticlockwise.
Recorded in 1989, the album brings together the talents of Boo Hewerdine and Neill MacColl. Their creative partnership helped the band balance intimate storytelling with a broader pop and soul sensibility, exploring everyday life and human relationships without being confined to a single musical tradition.
MacColl’s background includes a significant folk heritage. The son of Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, and brother of the late Kirsty MacColl, he grew up surrounded by influential musicians. He also established his own career as a guitarist, with his work in The Bible forming part of a wider range of musical projects.
The band self-produced Anticlockwise after their first two albums, but its rejection by their record label prevented its release. In November 2026, the collection will finally become available, returning attention to the songs and arrangements Hewerdine, MacColl and the band created during that period.
