Lots of bands do this, but not quite as well as the Bishop.

Apparently, if someone asks you whether you know the Bishop Of Norwich, you're to pass the port. If anyone asks you whether you know Bishop Gunn, you're to pass the word. This album was released late last year and it's quite a doozy.

Hailing from Natchez, Mississippi (to add to the authenticity), these seventies fashion-sporting young men play a Country Rock sound tinged with Blues which, due to the preponderance of that sound, may make you pass by – that would be a mistake!

'Southern Discomfort' will slouch up to you and shake you down for a buck; it's spiteful with a gob iron in intense pain and shimmering organ, and it sounds like Whiskey Myers with a chip on their shoulder. However, they get sweeter; acoustic guitar, tight riffing and a happy vocal from Travis McCready make 'Right There With Me' a lovely little song. With 'Shine' you can see Marcus King's face in the reflection, those horns and the bluesy laid-back swagger so reminiscent of his excellence.

You'd expect them to be able to calm it down, wouldn't you? 'Makin' It' aches like an alcoholic waiting for the bartender to serve him, but they deliver the heaving Country sloppy party in 'Baby What You Want Me To Do' which of course has a run around in the middle. Delivered beautifully with nasty riffs from Drew Smithers (check out his flying solo on 'Anything You Want') and soothing organ, this sounds as if they're on their fifth album and ready to conquer the continent.

Lots of bands do this, but not quite as well as the Bishop.

Steve Swift