The Bible Finally Release Long-Lost 1989 Album Anticlockwise
Some albums slip through the cracks. Anticlockwise was pushed. Recorded in 1989 by The Bible and then rejected by their record label, the band's lost third album has sat unheard for more than three decades. This November 2026 it finally gets its release.
The one that got away
In 1989, The Bible were on a roll. Their debut, Walking The Ghost Back Home, had been followed by the acclaimed Eureka. "Honey Be Good" had made its mark on the UK charts, and the breakthrough success of "Graceland" had cemented their name for intelligent songwriting and beautifully crafted melodies. They were one of the most promising acoustic pop acts in the country.
So they went back into the studio and made Anticlockwise themselves. Self-produced, it has everything that made the band special: thoughtful songs, intricate acoustic arrangements, soulful touches and superb musicianship. Their label turned it down anyway, and the album quietly vanished from their story.
Boo, Neill and a remarkable family tree
At the heart of the record is the partnership between singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine and guitarist Neill MacColl, the songwriting team that gave The Bible its sound.
Neill's own story adds a lot to this one. He is the son of the folk greats Ewan MacColl, who wrote "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", and Peggy Seeger, and the brother of the late Kirsty MacColl, forever loved for "Fairytale of New York" with The Pogues. He has carved out a fine career of his own as a guitarist, and having recently recovered from cancer, he is back on the road as musical director for David Gray's tour.
Why it matters
The Bible won a devoted following through the 1980s by blending folk, pop and soul: evocative lyrics, rich melodies and an understated emotional punch, writing honestly about everyday life and relationships.
Anticlockwise is more than a lost album turning up. It's a piece of British music history that never got the chance to find its audience. Longtime fans finally get to hear what might have been, and newcomers get another way into a band whose songs still resonate.
The details
- Artist: The Bible
- Album: Anticlockwise (recorded 1989, previously unreleased)
- Released: November 2026
- Website: havenrecords.co.uk
