The album was co-produced by Hellcat founder and Rancid member Tim Armstrong.

[4] The album was preceded by the singles and music videos for "The Final Parade", "I Don't Believe in Anything" and "The Killing of Georgie (Part III)".

[5][6] AllMusic wrote that "there's a vintage album-era vibe to When God Was Great that feels as if the band have crafted a low-key concept album inspired by their time growing up in Boston, going to punk shows to escape the Catholic constraints of their homes, and, finally, finding a way reclaim the positivity and D.I.Y.

activism of their youth in the face of growing awareness of social injustice.

"[7] The Boston Globe thought that "in 'The Final Parade', they unleash a doozy of a final track, an epic salute to ska featuring members of Rancid, Stiff Little Fingers, Fishbone, the Aquabats, and so, so many others.