My Favourite Song of 2018: A Little Hope - Pennywise

A Little Hope - Pennywise
from the Album 'Never Gonna Die'
Released 20th April 2018
Epitaph Records



A Little Hope

written by Pennywise
There's so much wrong in the world today
Just read the news on your front page
You'll see and get blown away
You got bankers, thieves and presidents
They're stealing cash from residents, again
It's so insane

Just animals reaching for a fight
But preaching god is on their side
It's them, that never had a chance
The dreams we meant for no excuse
We all believe now, what's the use?
The youth, all don't understand
This shit is getting out of hand

Can I get a little hope?
Can I get a little love?
Can I get some compassion
Something I can be sure of
So you got a lot of pain?
Can I get a little trust?
Cause we all want freedom
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?

Just walk out your front door today
You'll find something for you to hate
You'll see, it won't go away
Religion, greed and government
You can pick on any one of them to blame
It's so insane
Then look up to the sky above
and say haven't we had enough
Do you, do you wanna proof
Then raise your hands up to the sky
Now truth has got you wondering why
This way, why won't it change?
Someone has gotta hear you say

Can I get a little hope?
Can I get a little love?
Can I get some compassion
Something I can be sure of
So you got a lot of pain?
Can I get a little trust?
Cause we all want freedom
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?

Just what it is, you know we'll never understand
This shit is getting out of hand

Can I get a little hope?
Can I get a little trust?
Can I get some compassion
Something I can be sure of
Can I get a little hope?
Can I get a little love?
Can I get some compassion
Something I can be sure of
So you got a lot of pain?
Can I get a little trust?
Cause we all want freedom
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?
Now is that too much?

************

In 2018 the band Pennywise were celebrating their 30th year together. First spoken of 2016 and confirmed in March 2018, their latest album 'Never Gonna Die' contains some truly outstanding songs. One which stood out for me right from the first listen to the album was 'A Little Hope'. It's probably safe to say that this is one of the most played songs of the year in my house.

The return of vocalist Jim Lindberg to the studio along with the band was most welcome indeed (he had last appeared on the Pennywise album 'Reason To Believe' back in 2008 before departing in August 2009). Zoli Téglás, frontman for OC hardcore/punk band Ignite had taken his place officially as the frontman in February 2010. After injuring his back during a show in 2012 he left the band and had contacted Lindberg with the possibility of a return and that's exactly what happened and just in time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the band. Recording for 'Never Gonna Die' had begun in 2016 and finally completed in 2017.

The song 'A Little Hope' is one of those 'state of the nation' type songs with a longing for change. After seeing what has unfolded in America the past couple of years you can totally understand why they, and many others are calling out for changes! I like the fact that for a band that have been around for 30 years they still feel they have something to say and throughout the album they deliver their verdict on what is wrong and what is needed to bring about change.

You might assume that their pleadings for hope, love, compassion, someone to trust, and freedom might only be something that is specific to their situation but it isn't. Here in the UK we have had to endure similar situations with politicians etc not doing what they ought to be doing but rather stomping even harder upon the downtrodden of society and creating a climate of fear.

The clarion call of many is found in the words:

"Can I get a little hope?
Can I get a little love?
Can I get some compassion
Something I can be sure of
So you got a lot of pain?
Can I get a little trust?
Cause we all want freedom
Now is that too much?"

Listen To The Whole Album Here:

Never Gonna Die - Pennywise

Epitaph Records

Released 20th April 2018

Back in April here on this blog I spotlighted the release of the twelfth Pennywise album 'Never Gonna Die'. Eight months on it's still an album that I have gone back to a number of times to listen to from start to finish.

New Music 2018: Never Gonna Die - Pennywise (20th April)

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Never Gonna Die - Pennywise
Epitaph
Produced By Cameron Webb
Released 20th April 2018

Formats include CD, Download, Blue Vinyl (USA) and Clear Vinyl (Europe)

Listen to Never Gonna Die Here:

Tracklist

A1 Never Gonna Die    
A2 American Lies    
A3 Keep Moving On    
A4 Live While You Can    
A5 We Set Fire    
A6 She Said    
A7 Can't Be Ignored    
B1 Goodbye Bad Times    
B2 A Little Hope    
B3 Won't Give Up The Fight    
B4 Can't Save You Now    
B5 All The Ways U Can Die    
B6 Listen    
B7 Something New

(All Songs and Music written by Pennywise)

Pennywise are:

    Jim Lindberg – lead vocals
    Fletcher Dragge – guitar, backing vocals
    Randy Bradbury – bass, backing vocals
    Byron McMackin – drums, backing vocals 

*************

The last time that Jim Lindberg featured on an album of brand new songs by Pennywise was way back in 2008 on the album Reason To Believe (Released 25th March) and then in August 2009 he left the band. He returned back in 2013 after the departure of Zoli Téglás (who only recorded one album with them - All or Nothing in 2012 - that seems to not actually be recognised by the band - it doesn't feature on their websiste at all and they don't play any songs from it at their shows!). He did feature on vocals for the 2014 album Yesterdays but a lot of that is older material that had not been previously recorded.

The album has taken awhile to record but was completed in 2017 and was announced for release back in March. It was released yesterday on Epitaph.

Some fascinating songs on the album show that they have clearly been keeping an eye on the current political climate in their homeland with songs like American Lies:

The political scene coming apart at the seams
Its the end of the American Dream
The temperature is ready to burst
The future is not what it seems for the American Dream
Time has come you know we can't stop it
You know that the end is drawing near
Knocked down the sound of it collapsing
So loud no one can hear
Mindless old tyrants
do you hear the sirens song that will herald your demise
excessive sessions on your transgressions
we're all left sifting through the lies

and in particular A Little Hope and so clearly Can't Save You Now that seems like an outright attack upon the dishonesty of Trump: "All Your Lies Can't Save You Now!"

I'm really impressed with it and actually blasted through it a couple of times last night. Along with Anti-Flag's American Fall, Never Gonna Die is an excellent spotlight on the reaction of musicians to the desperate days they are living in under the reign of Trump!