The Bishops: The Only Place I Can Look is Down

A lot of people wish that there were still truly innovative bands out there, like the Beatles, changing their sound with every release. Some bands have decided that the best way to overcome this problem is simply to imitate the Beatles whole-heartedly. Hell, it worked for Oasis, so why not a scrappy young British trio calling themselves the Bishops? Yet what that group doesn’t realize is that Oasis managed to capitalize on the Lennon-McCartney dynamic and make it wide-screen and cinematic, perfect for their peak late ’90s alternative audience. The Bishops are doing nothing more than trying to re-write “Help!” over and over again. Their debut American release, The Only Place I Can Look is Down has not a single original note, idea, or second that’s worth mentioning. Sure, the chord changes of “In the Night” could have been replicated during an Ed Sullivan broadcast, but the throngs of screaming girls wouldn’t have been very impressed. No band is ever required to be innovative, but it doesn’t hurt if they try at least something relatively inventive. A better idea? Go see a Beatles tribute band — it’ll sound more authentic.